Florida porn law sees 10-fold increase in VPN demand
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Porn restrictions are now in place across 17 US states, with more to follow. Florida and South Carolina have seen a massive surge in VPN use since new laws were introduced to prevent people from visiting adult websites without government-approved ID. Online searches for ‘free VPN’ rose more than 400 per cent in both states after the restrictions came into force at the start of the year, according to Google Trends, while researchers from vpnMentor noted a 1,150 per cent spike in demand in Florida.
Virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow users to bypass geo restrictions by making it appear that their device is in a different location, have seen a significant increase in use since parts of the US began implementing age-verification mandates in 2023.
“Florida’s new law on pornographic websites and the consequent rise of VPN usage emphasize the intricate interplay between technology, privacy, and regulatory frameworks. With laws pertaining to online activities constantly changing, it is imperative for users and website operators alike to remain knowledgeable about regulations and ensure compliance.”.
Porn restrictions have now been introduced across 17 states in the US, with Florida and South Carolina enforcing the latest age verification laws on 1 January. Georgia is also set to implement new laws preventing under 18s from visiting adult websites from July 2025.
