Following the implementation of a new law in Florida requiring age verification for adult websites, searches for VPNs have skyrocketed. Notably, prominent adult site Pornhub has blocked access to users in Florida, prompting a dramatic 1150% increase in VPN searches just hours after the ban took effect on January 1, 2025.
In a message displayed to users, adult film star Cherie DeVille explains the situation, emphasizing that the requirement to provide government ID for access is not an effective solution for protecting users and may compromise their privacy. The law, known as House Bill 3, allows hefty fines for non-compliance and has led to similar restrictions in several other states.
As Floridians seek ways to bypass these restrictions, VPNs have become a popular tool for masking their locations and accessing blocked content without revealing personal information. The surge in interest highlights the ongoing tension between regulatory measures aimed at protecting minors and the desire for privacy and unrestricted access to online content.
