Australia’s New Pornography Restrictions Spark Privacy Concerns and VPN Surge

Australia’s implementation of age-verification requirements for pornography websites has triggered a wave of user frustration, a surge in virtual private network (VPN) usage, and concerns about privacy and security. The new regulations, stemming from a decade-long effort by the eSafety commissioner, aim to protect young people from harmful online content, but critics argue they are invasive, ineffective, and may push users towards less secure platforms.

Age Verification and User Response

Following a crackdown led by the eSafety commissioner, several adult websites have begun implementing age-verification measures for Australian users. Pornhub now displays safe-for-work content to Australian visitors who do not log in. Aylo-owned sites, including RedTube, have blocked access to Australian users altogether. Users report increasingly intrusive verification processes, including requests for video selfies each time they attempt to view content.

“Almost every post on my alt account has a content warning and asks me [for a] selfie for age verification,” one Australian user, identified as Joe, told Guardian Australia. Others are abandoning sites with verification requirements, citing privacy concerns. “I’m honestly no longer engaging with any of the sites and platforms I used to use because not only is the verification process really invasive, but some of them even give you the option to sign in with Google … and that’s the last platform I’d trust with any sensitive data,” said a user named Jethro. Another user, Chris, summarized the dilemma as a choice between “link[ing] your perversions to your government ID, or submit[ting] your face into the AI slop machine.”

VPN Usage and Content Migration

Data indicates a significant increase in Australian users seeking ways to bypass the restrictions. Searches for VPNs on Google Trends have reached their highest level since 2015, when laws were introduced to block piracy websites. According to search engine optimisation website Semrush, Thisvid appeared to be the only top 20 porn site complying with the new rules as of early March 2026, but this is expected to change as more sites face potential fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.

Researchers in the US have observed similar patterns in states that have implemented age verification for porn sites. A Stanford University study found that after Pornhub blocked users in certain states, traffic shifted to XVideos, which became the most visited porn site in those areas. Tracking VPN usage is more difficult, as users typically find a VPN quickly and then disappear from search data.

Concerns from Sex Workers and Digital Rights Advocates

Sex workers have long warned that these regulations could drive traffic away from platforms with moderation safeguards and towards less secure sites. Mish Pony, chief executive of Scarlet Alliance, stated, “We’ve already warned that these laws will funnel traffic away from platforms that do have moderation safeguards in place and towards sites that profit from non-consensual and stolen porn, including the unpaid work of sex workers.” She added that restricting access to mainstream services does not stop porn consumption but merely pushes it into “darker corners of the internet,” making it harder to address real harms.

Digital Rights Watch head of policy, Tom Sulston, expressed concerns about the creation of “honeypots” of personal information. “It would be absolutely trivial for a criminal to set up porn sites as honeytraps to capture Australians’ identities and sexual interests; and then use that material for blackmail, similar to existing sextortion schemes,” Sulston warned. He too noted that foreign intelligence services could exploit the age-verification regime to target Australian citizens.

Industry Response and Future Outlook

OnlyFans content creator Andy Conboi reported a drop in engagement on his posts, as users are reluctant to submit personal information. Some creators are shifting towards safe-for-work content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to maintain visibility, an ironic outcome given the presence of underage users on those platforms.

For opponents of pornography, the new regulations represent a victory after previous attempts at internet filtering failed. Collective Shout movement director Melinda Tankard Reist declared, “This day was hard fought for.” The Australian Christian Lobby also welcomed the news, stating that Pornhub ceasing operations in Australia is “proof of its effectiveness.”

The long-term effectiveness of the regulations remains to be seen, but the initial response suggests that Australians are actively seeking ways to circumvent the restrictions, raising significant privacy and security concerns.