VPN Interest Is Surging for This X-Rated Reason
The new year brings new laws, specifically one in Florida that requires age verification to access adult content sites. Florida is the latest state to restrict adult websites, but it has sparked a wave of interest in finding ways around the rules, especially since Pornhub – one of the largest and most popular adult websites – has blocked access in Florida. VPNa way to keep your internet activity private, is now more popular than ever.
What is a VPN?
VPN stands for virtual private network. It’s like connecting to the internet through a hidden tunnel rather than in the open. A VPN encrypts your traffic and hides your “home” address so websites don’t know your true location. This is linked to a surge in interest in VPNs in some states that have implemented age verification laws for accessing adult content online. Here’s everything you need to know about VPNs.
VPNs are more than just a potential way to access banned or explicit content. Many people rely on them to protect privacy and protect high-value or sensitive personal and business data. Streaming video enthusiasts have long used VPNs to watch shows, movies or sports that may be locked to their own region. Douyin fans Also looking into VPNs as a possible solution to this problem Looming ban on popular social media app.
What about agents?
Proxy servers are another way to bypass regional restrictions. Like a VPN, a proxy masks your IP address (your “home” address) to make it look like you are somewhere else. However, it doesn’t offer the same privacy as a VPN, which also encrypts your data. Learn the difference between VPNs and proxies and when to use each.
Florida joins age verification trend
Signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis House Bill 3 The bill takes effect in March 2024 but will not take effect until early 2025. The bill focuses on preventing minors under the age of 14 from becoming social media account holders.
“In addition to protecting children from the dangers of social media, HB 3 would require pornographic or sexually explicit websites to use age verification to prevent minors from accessing websites inappropriate for children,” DeSantis’ office said in a statement last year.
Users must prove that they are over 18 years old. Websites that do not comply will be subject to penalties of up to $50,000 per violation.
Florida’s age verification requirement is part of a trend of states that have passed or implemented similar requirements. These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Northern Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
The campaign officially begins in 2022, when Louisiana passes age verification requirements. Many of these laws impose fines or allow damages lawsuits to be filed against a website unless the website uses an age verification process.
Pornhub goes dark
While some adult websites have introduced age verification systems, major porn site Pornhub has chosen to shut down in states with age verification laws, citing privacy concerns over requiring ID.
Pornhub’s decision is obvious 2024 Year in Review Blog Post This includes a map of popular search terms by state. States where Pornhub no longer offers services appear gray on the U.S. map. CNET did not immediately receive a request for comment from Pornhub parent company Aylo.
VPN interest surges
VPN review and advocacy website vpnMentor notes that demand for VPN services has increased dramatically in Florida as HB 3 takes effect.
“The vpnMentor research team observed a significant surge in VPN usage in Florida, with a staggering increase in the first few hours of January 1st and a continued increase since the final minutes of 2024, with a drop of just 4 hours later. reached a peak of 1,150% when HB 3 took effect,” The organization stated in a statement on January 2.
When Pornhub’s state bans rolled out in 2019, VpnMentor saw a similar spike. Utah 2023 and Texas 2024.
take it to the supreme court
State age verification law faces legal challenge. The Free Speech Alliance, the adult industry trade association, actively opposes age verification laws. The group sued Florida in December to block the state’s new law and has already challenged similar laws in other states.
“While exposing minors to adult content is a laudable goal, the government does not have the right to force legal adults to scan their faces, upload photo IDs or otherwise give up their privacy to access the Internet,” Alison Borden saysFree Speech Alliance executive director in a January 6 statement.
A national precedent for state age verification laws may soon emerge. The Supreme Court agreed to take up the Free Speech Alliance’s case challenging the Texas law. The court heard oral arguments on January 15. It could take months for the Supreme Court to issue a ruling.
Choose a VPN
VPNs have been around for a long time, but their growing popularity means that more and more internet users are looking for advice on choosing the right one. Not all VPNs are created equal. CNET generally doesn’t recommend free VPN services. When evaluating a VPN, consider privacy standards, speed, and price. Check out CNET’s top VPN recommendations.
Age verification laws remain a battleground. No one believes that minors should have access to adult websites, but questions are forming around what mechanisms should be used or needed to protect these minors. Whether it’s related to online porn, general privacy, or TikTok, VPNs will continue to be a hot topic.
