Age verification laws aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon. So like it or not, age verification to watch porn is here to stay.

With pornography restrictions tightening across the globe, Google has issued a new security warning to millions of users turning to virtual private networks (VPNs) in an attempt to bypass access bans. The caution comes as countries implement strict age verification laws and content regulations, spurring concerns over both digital privacy and cybersecurity.

This year has seen a significant shift in how adult content is regulated and accessed. In the United States, 22 states have now banned access to Pornhub, citing failures to comply with age verification laws aimed at protecting minors. Internationally, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy have enacted sweeping restrictions, with the UK recently banning specific categories like strangulation and choking, further reducing the scope of available content online.
As a result, there has been a sharp decline in traffic to major adult platforms, prompting a parallel spike in VPN usage—a common workaround for accessing blocked sites.

In response to the surge, Google has updated its fraud and scams advisory to warn users about malicious actors exploiting VPN demand. The tech giant stated:

“Threat actors distribute malicious applications disguised as legitimate VPN services across a wide range of platforms to compromise user security and privacy.”

These malicious VPNs often mimic trusted brands or use sexually suggestive ads and current events to lure users. Once installed, such apps may grant remote access to devices, exposing everything from private messages to banking credentials.

“These actors tend to impersonate trusted enterprise and consumer VPN brands or use social engineering lures,” Google added.

Google’s warning follows a broader debate sparked by the UK government’s pressure on Apple to curb its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) encryption features. The move, which critics say rivals China’s levels of digital restriction, could influence similar legislation in the U.S., where lawmakers are increasingly citing child safety to justify broader digital surveillance.

While tools like VPNs are often used to access restricted content in authoritarian regimes, some commentators warn that Western governments are now flirting with similar censorship tactics under different guises.

“For the West to consider VPN bans due to adult materials is dangerous,” wrote Forbes’ Zak Doffman. “Doing so under the guise of child safety is disingenuous.”

While Android and iOS platforms attempt to filter harmful apps using machine learning, not all threats are caught. Google urges users to only install VPNs from official app stores, such as Google Play, and to rely on Play Protect for additional security.

“Free VPNs are best avoided,” warns Doffman. “Chinese VPNs must be avoided.”

As digital restrictions expand and cyber risks increase, a growing number of users are asking whether the risks of malware, surveillance, and financial fraud outweigh the desire to access restricted adult content.

With access to pornography becoming a new frontline in the battle over online privacy, 2025 may mark a turning point—not only for how adult content is consumed, but for how individuals weigh their rights against mounting digital threats.