VPN Downloads Skyrocket in Australia as Porn Sites Enforce Age Verification
Demand for virtual private network (VPN) applications has surged dramatically across Australia, following the implementation of new online safety codes that require age verification for accessing adult content. This regulatory shift, which took effect from Monday, has prompted a significant spike in VPN downloads as users seek to bypass geographic restrictions.
App Store Rankings Reflect Rapid Growth
According to recent data from Sensor Tower, VPN apps have experienced a meteoric rise in the Australian app charts. For instance, VPN Super Unlimited Proxy climbed from 40th to 7th place among free iPhone apps in Australia within just a few days. Similarly, Proton VPN jumped from 174th to 19th, while NordVPN ascended from 189th to 13th position.
These VPN services allow users to mask their actual location, making it appear as though they are accessing the internet from outside Australia. This functionality enables individuals to circumvent the new age verification requirements imposed on adult websites.
Pornhub and Other Sites Implement Restrictions
Major adult websites, including those owned by Aylo such as RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8, have begun displaying notices for Australian visitors, indicating that they are not accepting new account registrations in the region. Pornhub, the world's largest porn site, also owned by Aylo, now shows only safe-for-work content on its homepage for Australian users who are not logged in.
The new codes mandate that adult sites, along with other services like AI companion chatbots and app stores, must implement age verification for users attempting to access pornography, extremely violent material, or self-harm content. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to $49.5 million per breach, as warned by the Australian online safety regulator.
Social Media Platforms Also Affected
The regulations extend to social media platforms that permit adult content. On Elon Musk's X platform, users in Australia reported being required to verify their age each time they viewed posts containing adult material over the weekend. X's regulatory policies for Australia indicate that age verification methods include checks based on account age, behavior signals, and facial age tools for accounts that cannot be confirmed as over 18.
Additionally, Grok, X's AI chatbot, has prevented accounts from generating restricted content in Australia until they pass an age check. The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, emphasized that platforms with adult content must implement robust age verification measures, moving beyond simple toggle buttons.
Global Precedents and Privacy Concerns
John Pane, chair of Electronic Frontiers Australia, noted that the surge in VPN popularity was anticipated, drawing parallels with similar experiences in other jurisdictions. For example, when the UK introduced age verification for adult sites last year, four of the top five downloaded apps in the Apple App Store were VPNs, with Proton reporting an 1,800% increase in downloads.
Pane advised users to exercise caution when selecting VPN services, highlighting that some free or discounted providers may collect and sell user data. The VPN apps gaining traction in Australia, including both free and subscription models, typically promise not to collect user data, but vigilance is recommended.
This development underscores the ongoing tension between online safety regulations and user privacy, as Australians navigate new digital barriers with technological workarounds.
