A UK software developer has launched a parody website to protest the Online Safety Act. The site, use-their-id.com, generates fake driver’s licenses using names and AI-generated portraits of local Members of Parliament (MPs). The message is clear: people are angry, and they’re getting creative.
The site suggests these fake IDs as an alternative to sending real documents to identity verification services or using questionable VPNs. While meant as satire, the action has raised serious concerns among privacy advocates and legal experts.
The site mocks MPs using AI
The creator, a developer named Tim, said he made the site to highlight what he sees as the absurdity of the new law. When users input a UK postcode, the site returns a fake MP ID with randomly generated data and a generic image.
Despite their appearance, these IDs lack key verification elements like holograms and microtext. Some even include outdated symbols, like the EU flag with the UK still inside it.
Tim insists it’s all a joke: “I’m not a lawyer, but this is a parody site,” he said. “It shouldn’t be used for anything real.”
Viral support and legal risks
The protest has gained traction online, with the Hacker News post racking up over 650 points and nearly 200 comments. Many users applauded the creativity behind the protest, with one commenting, “Weaponizing the stupidity of the idea… brilliant.”
But not everyone is laughing. Security researchers warn that submitting fake IDs—even as a joke—can lead to criminal charges such as identity theft and fraud. Aras Nazarovas of Cybernews stressed, “Never submit fake documents. It’s a serious crime.”
Protest or crime? Experts weigh in
While most experts believe websites won’t actually accept these mock IDs, the act of creating and sharing them toes a legal line. If adult platforms did accept such forgeries, it would point to serious flaws in their age verification systems.
Others warn that MPs could take legal action if their likeness or data is misused.
A protest with a deeper message
Tim argues that the Online Safety Act is harmful and overly broad. His parody site claims the law has already been used to block access to LGBTQ+ resources, sex education, and anti-war content. For many, the protest is not just about adult content—it’s about internet freedom.
Since July 25, 2025, adult websites in the UK have been required to verify users’ ages through official methods like photo ID or credit card checks. As a result, VPN use has surged, and digital resistance like Tim’s is only gaining momentum.
Conclusion
The Online Safety Act protest has taken a bizarre but viral turn with the launch of a fake MP ID generator. While it’s clearly satire, legal experts urge users not to cross the line into criminal behavior. As UK laws tighten, the battle over privacy, censorship, and digital freedom is only just beginning.
0 responses to “Online Safety Act protest spawns fake MP ID generator”