Restrictions on Pornography Loom for iPhone, iPad, and Android Devices Users
As 2025 commenced, the United States intensified its crackdown on uninhibited online adult content, rendering Florida residents devoid of access to the globe's leading adult site as of January 1. Pornhub has voiced disapproval of the mandatory age verification through government-issued IDs and, in protest, obstructed access from within the state rather than acquiescing to the requirement.
The escalation of this age verification mandate in multiple U.S. states has spurred a surge in VPN utilization that is generally observed in conflict-ridden, autocratic, or heavily censored nations, such as Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea, rather than Florida, Texas, and South Carolina. According to VPNMentor, they noted a staggering 1150% increase in VPN demand in Florida immediately following the implementation of the new law on January 1.
This trend was also observed in other states, such as a 967% spike in VPN demand following Pornhub's ban on Utah-based users and a 234% surge in demand in Texas following the enactment of adult-related age restrictions.
As TechDirt reported recently, around 139 million U.S. residents live in states with age verification laws specifically targeting adult entertainment platforms. The repercussions of prohibiting access to content, whether complete or without the inclusion of personally identifiable information, warrant significant concern regarding privacy. As EFF cautioned last week, compulsory age verification tools pose a threat to everyone’s freedom of speech and privacy, as they introduce more harm than they aim to mitigate.
VPNs permit users to conceal their locations by appearing as if they're from a different locale, via redirecting their web traffic through a server in that locale. With a click or a touch, a user switches from identifying as being in Florida to appearing in New York or Boston—or even in Singapore or London. Cybernews asserts that "a VPN is the most dependable method to bypass these restrictions," while Gizmodo reported that "Adults in Florida will resort to using a VPN beginning January 1st."
However, prior to downloading and installing a VPN promising to dissolve these restrictions, caution is advisable—as one may be inadvertently exposing themselves to substantial data and device risks. And this risk is particularly concerning for those utilizing mobile devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Androids, which have been plagued by cheap and low-quality VPNs that may hide one's location while imposing a substantial, concealed cost.
Most U.S. citizens have minimal need for a VPN. Web traffic is secure, and the risk associated with public Wi-Fi is largely overemphasized—as long as unencrypted sensitive content is not being transmitted. Yet, with 3 billion monthly visits to Pornhub's website from the U.S., the new restrictions significantly alter the landscape.
Last month, the U.S. cyber defense agency issued a warning against using personal VPNs, stating that they "merely transfer residual risks from your ISP to the VPN provider, often expanding the attack surface."
These risks are particularly prevalent on mobile devices serviced by app stores, where the VPN industry has flourished recently. In November, Kaspersky warned that the number of harmful free VPN installments was skyrocketing in Q3, increasing by 2.5 times compared to Q2 globally. These apps were either malware or programs that could potentially be utilized by malicious actors. This surge has persisted into Q4.
On the other hand, specialist website Top10VPN rigorously tested the leading free VPN apps on Google's Play Store and found that 10% of the apps suffered encryption failures, nearly 90% experienced some form of leak, and 75% shared personal data with third parties, while 20% were identified as malware.
Consequently, for those new to VPNs, the following guidelines should be followed to ensure safety:
- Install VPNs exclusively from the Play Store or App Store.
- Employ only paid VPNs with a clear subscription plan and avoid those offering obfuscated in-app purchases.
- Use VPNs from well-established developers with a substantial online presence, avoiding those based in China.
- Enable Play Protect on Android and never disable or pause it to install a VPN it flags as potentially risky.
- When Android 15's live threat detection flags an application, take appropriate action.
- In response to the new age verification laws, there have been iPad, iPhone, and Android warnings issued, urging users to be cautious when using VPNs to bypass restrictions.
- Google Warning also advised users to be vigilant when using VPNs, as cheap and low-quality VPNs on Android devices can pose significant data and device risks.
- While Pornhub protests the mandatory age verification through government-issued IDs, it has sparked a rise in VPN usage, leading to a 1150% increase in VPN demand in Florida.
- The escalating age restriction on pornographic content on platforms like Pornhub and other adult sites has led to an increase in the use of VPNs to access such content, bypassing these age restrictions.
