VPN Surge as New Online Safety Codes Hit Australian Shores
Australia’s digital landscape is experiencing a significant shift, with a surge in the popularity of Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications following the implementation of new online safety codes. These codes, which came into effect from Monday, have prompted several adult content websites to block Australian users, leading many to seek alternative ways to access these sites.
Data from Sensor Tower reveals a dramatic climb in the rankings of VPN apps on Australian app stores. VPN Super Unlimited Proxy, for instance, rocketed from 40th place in free iPhone apps on March 2nd to 7th place by Sunday. Similarly, Proton VPN saw a substantial jump from 174th to 19th, and NordVPN moved from 189th to 13th. This trend highlights a clear user response to the new regulatory environment.
VPN applications function by masking a user’s true location, allowing them to appear as if they are browsing from a different country. This capability is proving invaluable for Australian users attempting to circumvent the blocks imposed by adult websites.
Websites Implement Blocks Amidst New Regulations
Reports from Friday indicated that several adult sites, including those owned by Aylo such as RedTube, YouPorn, and Tube8, were displaying notices for Australian IP addresses. These messages stated that the sites were “not currently accepting new account registrations in your region.” By Monday, Pornhub, arguably the world’s largest adult site, also owned by Aylo, was reportedly showing only safe-for-work content on its homepage for unregistered Australian users.
The new codes, effective from Monday, mandate that adult websites and a range of other services, including AI companion chatbots and app stores, must implement age verification measures. This applies to users attempting to access pornography, content depicting extreme violence, or material related to self-harm.
Stiff Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Australian online safety regulator has made it clear that platforms failing to adhere to these codes could face substantial financial penalties. Fines of up to $49.5 million for each breach are on the table, underscoring the seriousness with which these regulations are being enforced.
These codes are not limited to explicit adult content sites. They also extend to social media platforms where adult material is permitted.
Social Media Giants Adapt to Age Verification
Users of Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) in Australia reported over the weekend that they were being prompted to verify their age each time they viewed a post containing adult content. The platform’s regulatory policy page for Australia outlines a multi-faceted approach to age verification. This includes a combination of checks based on account age, behavioural signals, and facial age verification tools for accounts where the platform cannot definitively confirm the user is over 18. This method is reportedly similar to that used for complying with Australia’s ban on social media access for under-16s.
Grok, X’s AI chatbot, has also been configured to prevent accounts from generating restricted content within Australia until an age check is successfully passed. X was approached for comment regarding these developments.
Expert Commentary and User Reactions
Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, emphasised the necessity of robust age verification for platforms hosting adult content. Speaking to ABC’s RN Breakfast, she stated, “If you are a platform that has R18 or X+ content, you should be age verifying. Just having a button you toggle that says: ‘Are you over 18?’ will no longer pass muster… there needs to be more rigour behind that.”
John Pane, Chair of Electronic Frontiers Australia, expressed little surprise at the surge in VPN app popularity. “Not surprised. I would have put money on it for sure,” Pane commented. He drew parallels to the user response seen during the introduction of the “flawed social media ban” and noted that similar patterns have emerged globally wherever age-gating legislation for online adult content has been introduced.
Pane pointed to the experience in the United Kingdom, where a similar age verification system for adult sites was launched last year. In the first week of its implementation, four out of the top five downloaded apps in the Apple App Store were VPNs, with Proton reporting an astonishing 1,800% increase in downloads of its VPN app. The UK government subsequently advised its citizens against using VPNs.
Navigating the VPN Landscape
Pane also issued a cautionary note for users considering VPNs. He urged individuals to carefully examine the data collection policies of any VPN app they choose to use. Some free or discounted VPN providers may analyse user data and subsequently sell it for commercial gain.
The three VPN apps that have seen a significant rise in downloads in Australia offer both free and subscription-based models. Crucially, all three reportedly pledge not to collect user data, a key concern for privacy-conscious individuals navigating this evolving online environment.
