Australians are increasingly turning to virtual private networks (VPNs) after the country introduced strict online age-verification rules designed to protect minors from harmful digital content. The new measures came into effect Monday, prompting several major adult websites to restrict or block access for users in Australia.
Under the new legislation, platforms that host or distribute explicit material—including pornography, extreme violence, self-harm, or eating-disorder content—must ensure that users are at least 18 years old. Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to A$49.5 million (about $34.5 million).
The policy is part of a broader push by the Australian government to strengthen online safety. In December, Australia also became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban preventing teenagers from using social media platforms, signaling a tougher stance on protecting children in the digital environment.
VPN Apps Rise in Popularity
Following the rollout of the new rules, Australians began downloading VPN services in large numbers to bypass regional restrictions. According to download charts from Apple’s App Store, three of the top 15 free apps on Monday were VPN services, highlighting the sudden demand for privacy tools.
One of the most downloaded apps, VPN – Super Unlimited Proxy, ranked above several major social media platforms on the chart.
VPNs work by masking a user’s real location and assigning a different IP address, allowing them to appear as if they are browsing from another country. This enables users to access websites that may be restricted in their region.
Major Adult Platforms Limit Access
At the same time, Canada-based Aylo, which operates some of the world’s largest adult websites, took steps to comply with the new regulations. The company blocked Australian access to platforms such as RedTube and YouPorn, while showing a limited version of Pornhub that does not include explicit content.
Visitors to the websites saw a notice stating that the platforms were “not currently accepting new account registrations in your region.”
According to reports in The Sydney Morning Herald, an Aylo spokesperson said Australian users would instead experience a “safe-for-work version” of the company’s platforms.
Government Defends Child Safety Measures
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the laws are designed to give children the same level of protection online that already exists in the physical world.
She explained that minors cannot legally enter venues such as bars, casinos, or adult entertainment establishments, and similar safeguards should apply in digital spaces.
Critics Warn Users May Bypass Restrictions
However, digital rights advocates say the surge in VPN downloads shows how easily determined users can bypass online restrictions.
Tom Sulston, deputy chair of advocacy group Digital Rights Watch, said the trend was not surprising. He added that while many people may initially use VPNs to access restricted content, the technology can also provide broader privacy protection when browsing the internet.
