This X-Rating Is Why VPN Interest Is Growing

The new year brought with it new laws, most notably a Florida law requiring age verification to access adult-oriented websites. Florida is the latest state to restrict adult sites, but it has sparked a wave of interest in finding ways around the rule, especially since Pornhub, one of the largest and most popular adult sites, has blocked access in Florida. VPNsA way to keep your internet activity private is in demand now more 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 out in the open. VPNs encrypt your traffic and can hide your “home” address so that sites can’t tell where you really are. This is due to the increased interest in VPNs in states that enforce age verification laws to access adult content online. Here’s everything you need to know about VPNs.

VPNs aren’t just a potential way to access banned or obscene material. Many people rely on them to protect privacy and high-value or sensitive personal and business information. Streaming video enthusiasts have long used VPNs to watch shows, movies or sports that may be blocked in their area. TikTok fans VPNs are also being explored as a possible way around it A ban on the popular social media app is imminent.

What about proxy?

A proxy server is another way to bypass regional restrictions. Like a VPN, a proxy masks your IP address (your “home” address) to make it look like you’re somewhere else. However, it doesn’t offer the same privacy as a VPN that encrypts your data. Learn the difference between VPNs and proxies and when to use each.

Florida is joining the age verification trend

Signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis House Bill 3 In March 2024, although it entered into force in early 2025. The bill aims to prevent minors under the age of 14 from having social media accounts.

“In addition to protecting children from the dangers of social media, HB 3 requires pornographic or sexually explicit sites to use age verification to prevent minors from accessing sites that are not suitable for children.” This was reported by DeSantis’ office in a statement last year.

Users must prove they are 18 or older. Websites that do not comply are subject to fines 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 mandates. These states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

The movement began in earnest in 2022 when Louisiana passed age verification requirements. Many of these laws impose fines or allow a website to be sued for damages if it fails to use an age verification process.

Pornhub is going dark

While some adult sites have implemented age-verification systems, major porn website Pornhub has chosen to go black in states with age-verification laws, citing privacy concerns over requiring IDs.

Pornhub’s decision a 2024 review blog post includes a map of popular search terms by state. Pornhub services are now grayed out on the US map. CNET did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo.

Interest in VPNs is growing

VPN review and advocacy site vpnMentor noted a spike in demand for VPN services coinciding with the enactment of HB 3 in Florida.

“The VpnMentor research team observed a significant increase in VPN usage in Florida, with a staggering increase recorded in the early hours of January 1st, steadily increasing since the last minutes of 2024, and peaking at 1150% after just four hours. HB 3 enacted into law” the organization said in a statement on January 2.

VpnMentor saw similar spikes when state bans on Pornhub were triggered Utah In 2023 and Texas In 2024.

He took it to the Supreme Court

State-level age verification laws face legal challenges. The adult industry trade association Free Speech Coalition is active in fighting age verification laws. The group sued to block Florida’s new law in December and has already challenged similar laws in other states.

“While keeping minors away from adult content is a laudable goal, the government has no right to force legal adults to scan their faces, upload photo IDs, or give up their privacy to access the Internet.” Alison Boden saidThe executive director of the Free Speech Coalition said in a statement on January 6.

A national precedent may soon be set for state age verification laws. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Free Speech Coalition’s challenge to the Texas law. On January 15, the court heard oral arguments. It could take months for the Supreme Court to rule.

Choosing a VPN

VPNs have been around for a long time, but their growing popularity means that more internet users are looking for advice on choosing the right one. Not all VPNs are created equal. CNET generally does not recommend free VPN services. When evaluating a VPN, consider privacy standards, speeds, and price. Check out CNET’s top VPN recommendations.

Age verification laws continue to be a battleground. No one disputes that minors should have access to adult sites, but the issue revolves around what mechanisms should be used or required to protect those minors. VPNs will remain a hot topic when it comes to online pornography, general privacy, or TikTok.