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technology3h ago
VPN apps rocket up download charts in Australia as porn websites begin blocking users
- VPN app downloads surged in Australia as several adult sites began blocking users to comply with new age-verification rules.
- Proton VPN jumped from 174th to 19th place, while NordVPN rose from 189th to 13th on Australian app charts.
- The increases follow adult sites adopting age verification and other services introducing stricter regional access controls.
- The Australian online safety regulator warned platforms could face fines of up to A$49.5 million per breach for noncompliance.
- X (formerly Twitter) users in Australia faced age verification prompts when viewing adult content.
- Grok, X’s AI chatbot, also blocked content until age checks were passed.
- Experts see the VPN rise as part of a broader pattern following online safety and age-verification laws.
- The eSafety commissioner emphasized that platforms with adult content should implement age verification.
- Authorities warned about potential fines for noncompliant platforms under the new codes.
- The report notes the shift could affect access to AI services and app stores beyond pornography.
- Overall, the VPN trend reflects user concerns about privacy and the reach of new online safety rules.
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