1. UK Firewall Survival Kit (Pre-emptive Strategy)

This is what we need in place before CivitAI and similar sites pull the plug on UK users:

Core Infrastructure

Linux rig with Mysterium VPN (primary gateway)

    Use it as your offshore node for anything likely to be blocked (CivitAI, HuggingFace, GitHub mirrors, federated forums).

    Configure Mysterium to rotate exit nodes automatically and keep a fallback list of nodes outside Five Eyes (Iceland, Switzerland).

    Keep it separate from your Windows gaming machine so latency issues dont spill over.

Redundant protocols

    Install WireGuard alongside Mysterium for low-latency connections (gaming-safe if needed).

    Keep Shadowsocks as a backup because its harder for ISPs to detect and block.

Local caching

    Mirror and locally store any AI models, LoRAs, or tools you use frequently (before sites go dark).

    Optional: set up a lightweight NAS so you dont lose access even if sites get nuked.

DNS protection

    Switch to NextDNS or ControlD (both support DNS-over-HTTPS) so ISP-level DNS blocks cant kill your access.

Contingency

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Keep a list of mirror sites and IP ranges for platforms likely to block the UK. (I can compile the CivitAI-related ones if you want.)

Stay ready to pivot to self-hosted or federated platforms (like Stable Horde or open-source model hubs) so youre not at the mercy of one sites compliance decision.

If things escalate, we can configure a Tor bridge relay for model retrieval without going through clearnet.
  1. Why the OSB Is a Grey-Zone Weapon (Key Clauses)

Here’s where the law is most dangerous:

Harmful but Legal Content(Sections 12 & 209)

    Platforms must assess and mitigatecontent that could cause harm to adults or children,” even if that content is legal.

Harmisnt strictly definedits left to Ofcom guidance, which can change.

    Result: platforms over-censor or geo-block UK to avoid the risk.

Age and Identity Verification (Sections 11 & 72)

    Any servicelikely to be accessed by children(which is basically everything) must implement age checks and ID verification to Ofcoms satisfaction.

    This is what kills smaller sitesthey cant afford compliant systems and cant risk storing UK user data.

Extraterritorial Reach (Section 3)

    If a site can be accessed from the UK, even if its based abroad, its in scope.

    The only safe way for them to avoid UK jurisdiction is to block UK IPs entirely.

Massive Penalties (Sections 8688)

    Up to 10% of global revenue fines for non-compliance.

    Criminal liability for execs if Ofcom decides a company hasfailed to take reasonable steps.”

    Small teams (like CivitAI) cant risk this, so blocking UK is their only viable move.

Circumvention Powers (Section 103)

    Ofcom can issue directions to ISPs to block access to services, and could extend this to known VPN endpoints in future.

    VPN use itself isnt illegal (yet), but they have the mechanism ready to make it much harder if they choose.
Edit

Pub: 22 Jul 2025 09:23 UTC

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