BitChute banned in the UK? Here’s how users are bypassing the block using VPNs.
In a controversial move, the UK has restricted access to BitChute, a video-sharing platform known for hosting alternative viewpoints especially those banned or shadowed by mainstream platforms. A sudden wave of inaccessibility has driven a noticeable surge in VPN usage across the UK as users struggle to access the site easily.
Brits are once again fighting back with VPNs resisting what’s widely seen as government overreach and direct threat to freedom of speech.
Why BitChute Was Banned in the UK?
In a public statement, BitChute revealed that the UK Online Safety Act of 2023 created a regulatory environment that was “open-ended, unpredictable, and legally risky.” Specifically, the act gives Ofcom wide-ranging powers over content moderation, enforcement, and liability — putting platforms like BitChute in a precarious position.
“The uncertainty surrounding the OSA’s enforcement by Ofcom… leaves us no viable alternative but to cease normal operations in the UK.”
— BitChute Team
From now on:
- UK users will not be able to view any content on BitChute produced by UK creators.
- UK-based content will still be visible outside the UK, but not to fellow UK users.
- The platform is no longer a user-to-user video sharing service in the UK.
Searches for “BitChute VPN” Skyrocket After Ban
The UK ban didn’t just cause outrage it triggered immediate action.
According to Google Trends, search interest for “BitChute VPN” surged by over 1000% in the days following BitChute’s official announcement. For nearly a month, there was zero interest and then suddenly, traffic exploded around, coinciding exactly with the platform’s statement.
This data confirms what the internet already knows: users aren’t giving up BitChute that easily. Instead, they’re taking digital privacy into their own hands by using VPNs to route around UK restrictions and access content freely, just as they did during other global censorship incidents.
How to Access BitChute in the UK
BitChute is blocked in the UK, but you can still access it using a VPN. Here’s how, just follow these simple steps:
- Subscribe to PureVPN.
- Download the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a server outside the UK (e.g US or Germany).
- Visit BitChute, it should now be accessible.
What’s Going On Social Media: BitChute Blocked in the UK
Tweets from various users sparked outrage online after confirming, “UK users can’t access BitChute anymore.” The post tagged political figures like Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, accusing them of hypocrisy around freedom of speech.
Users were quick to react. One reply read:
“This is beyond the pale. BitChute was everyone’s go-to for banned videos that the gov didn’t want you watching. Especially during Covid and lockdowns.”
— @bellzaac
Another user responded with a workaround:
“Use a VPN and you’ll still have access…”
— @BrianSkirrow
This response captures the current sentiment, users aren’t just angry; they’re adapting.
The Rise of VPNs in the UK
As restrictions tighten, VPN usage is accelerating. Just like in the U.S. where VPN demand surged after platforms like Polymarket were geo-blocked. British users are now taking matters into their own hands.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows users to mask their IP address and browse as if they were located in a different country. For blocked sites like BitChute, this is often the simplest way to regain access.
If you’re in the UK and can’t access BitChute, switching to a server in a country where it isn’t restricted (like the U.S. or Germany) will restore full access in seconds.
The Bigger Picture: Censorship and Digital Rights
BitChute’s exit from the UK marks more than just the loss of a platform — it reflects a growing global tension between freedom of expression and government regulation.
BitChute has long positioned itself as a defender of free speech, especially for creators deplatformed elsewhere. Its departure from the UK — under legal pressure — sends a chilling message.
“The OSA’s primary concern is that members of the public will view content deemed unsafe… But it opens the door to broad censorship of alternative viewpoints.”
As regulatory crackdowns continue, VPNs are evolving from simple security tools into gateways to information freedom.
What’s Next? What This Ban on platforms like Bitchute means for Digital Rights
This isn’t just about one website. The BitChute block is part of a larger pattern where governments regulate platforms that don’t follow centralized content standards. But every new ban only highlights a deeper truth: users will always seek ways to access information freely and VPNs are becoming their digital protest tool.
With internet freedom shrinking and governments pushing more restrictions, VPNs aren’t just a tech tool anymore they’re a symbol of resistance.
Tanzeel Ahmed
April 16, 2025
3 days ago
