Once again, millions of iPhone and Android users could be in trouble, as a new porn ban is being enforced. But the biggest danger isn’t the ban itself—it’s the risky ways people try to get around it.

In the U.S., many states have passed laws blocking access to porn. To get around this, people use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). These apps hide your real location by sending your internet traffic through servers in other states or countries. This tricks porn websites into thinking the user is in a place where the ban doesn’t exist.

Now, the U.K. has passed a similar law. Because of this, VPNs have become extremely popular there. One app maker told BBC News that its downloads went up by 1,800%, and other apps saw big jumps too.

The same thing happens in the U.S. every time a new ban starts. These bans often require age verification, but many users don’t want to share their real identity with adult websites, so they avoid them using VPNs. However, these workarounds can be dangerous.

Running a VPN service costs money—it needs powerful servers and strong internet connections. Good VPNs let users choose a location, like another state or country.

Porn sites usually just look at your IP address (which shows your location). If your IP shows you’re in a place without a ban, they allow access. It’s actually possible for websites to check if someone is using a VPN by comparing the IP address to browser details—but most porn sites don’t do this.

So while people may think they’ve found a simple fix, using these tools could put their security and privacy at risk.

The problem is that people don’t need a fancy or complex VPN app to get around internet bans. Any basic app can work. And China’s free app market offers many of these. But using a free VPN that doesn’t protect your data is often worse than using no VPN at all.

Some researchers even found that many free VPNs are connected to the Chinese government and military. The Tech Transparency Project says that “millions of Americans have downloaded apps that secretly send their internet traffic through Chinese companies.”

Simon Migliano from Top10VPN says this makes the risk too high. He advises people to completely avoid any VPNs owned by Chinese companies.

In fact, it’s better to avoid all free VPNs. It’s safer to use a paid VPN or one that comes from a trusted company as part of its services. James Maude from BeyondTrust says, “If you’re not paying for the product, then you are the product.” Free VPNs often come with hidden risks.

Here’s my simple advice for using VPNs:

  • Only download VPNs from Google Play Store or Apple App Store

  • Only use paid VPNs with a clear monthly or yearly fee—never apps with unclear in-app purchases

  • Only use VPNs from well-known companies that are easy to find on trusted websites—avoid any based in China

  • Keep Play Protect on if you’re using Android, and never turn it off to install a risky VPN app

Published: 30th July 2025

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