It's illegal to recommend using a VPN or teach people how to use a VPN in order to get around these age-check laws.

Imagine what will happen next, will they just ignore that a stupid law have broken wikipedia in the entire UK? Lol, I think at least someone would be concerned.

They can't recommend using a VPN, but they can say "some users are illegally subverting the ban using a VPN. For more information on this subject see: [link to VPN guide]."

The only rational decision, given the cost associated with a poorly defined and maliciously enforced legislative code. I wouldn't trust the UK courts to fairly adjudicate an alleged breach of the law, particularly if Reform Party gets into office and decides to punish Wikipedia's management for "Wokeness" or whatever.

Every time you would have made an edit, send a note to a representative in government

You can get an exception.

Kiwix is wonderful for the job. It's surprising how much of Wikipedia can fit on 128 GB when larger media files are stripped out.

Isn't the issue that for any economical solution websites enlist 3rd parties to do the verification? It's those (usually US) companies holding my ID that is the problem.

Then you’re not thinking like someone who lives under authoritarians. Have you never gone on a Wikipedia journey following links and ended up on “gunpowder” or “list of dictators in the 21st century” or anything else that could get you painted as a “revolutionary” and locked away?

On its face... maybe? Until the Foundation falls into the hands of malicious management, anyway.

But do I trust that a public website can't have their security breached by malicious actors? Of course not.

You mean Wikipedia will bow down to a Western government and obey their every command?

Do you think Wikipedia would make special exceptions for China or Russia?

Let the French invade them.

they had it coming. they invaded countless other civilisations.