The Dangers of Porn Bans and Free VPN Apps: A Growing Concern for Smartphone Users
By Zak Doffman, Contributor
The recent wave of porn bans sweeping across various states in the U.S. is raising significant concerns regarding online safety for smartphone users. A new warning highlights that popular free applications, which have collectively amassed hundreds of millions of downloads, are now potentially jeopardizing the security of users, their devices, and sensitive data. As these bans gain traction, millions more users are likely to install these apps, unknowingly putting themselves at greater risk.
This situation is exacerbated by a recent report revealing that numerous top free applications available on both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store are clandestinely transmitting user data to servers in China. Although many users turn to free Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for protection, it’s crucial to recognize that not all VPNs are created equal, and many can pose substantial threats to personal data security.
Two key events have catalyzed the growing popularity of these VPN apps. The first was the brief TikTok ban in the United States, which resulted in an unprecedented surge in VPN downloads as users sought to bypass the restrictions. However, the irony lies in the fact that employing VPNs did little to address the core issues surrounding the ban; users are still utilizing these applications today, unaware of the risks involved. The second event is of a more widespread nature: the current and impending porn bans across multiple U.S. states, which have driven a significant number of Americans to download VPNs for the first time.
The Tech Transparency Project has expressed concern, noting that “millions of Americans have downloaded apps that secretly route their internet traffic through Chinese companies.” If the political movement towards a national porn ban in the U.S. gains further momentum, the situation could deteriorate even more quickly. VPNs, or virtual private networks, work by routing all online traffic through a third-party server. While this might seem like a protective measure, the reality is that improperly chosen VPNs can be more hazardous than having no VPN at all.
In the context of the U.S., users typically do not require such masking tools to access a free internet. However, with the introduction of these porn bans, the landscape has altered, allowing VPNs to easily circumvent restrictions. By disguising users’ locations, these apps can mislead websites into believing that users are not subject to any bans or verification requirements. Though it may appear as an easy solution, this practice may inadvertently expose users to considerable risks, as their internet traffic is routed through potentially malicious foreign servers.
The implications of these policies are not confined to the U.S. In the U.K., similar measures are poised to take effect. Starting July 25, the government will require age verification for users accessing pornographic websites. According to BBC News, popular platforms like Pornhub have confirmed their intent to implement enhanced age checks, although the specifics of these verification methods remain undisclosed. This move comes as part of the contentious Online Safety Bill, which aims to regulate online pornography akin to other adult services in the physical world. The regulators have voiced concerns over research indicating that 8% of children aged 8-14 in the U.K. had visited pornographic sites or apps within a mere 28-day period.
As mobile devices continue to dominate the consumption of adult content, the risks associated with free VPNs become even more pronounced. Users can easily download these free applications from official app stores without fully grasping how these services are funded or the entities behind their operation. James Maude from BeyondTrust cautions, “If you aren’t paying for a product, you are the product.” This statement underscores the hidden dangers associated with free VPN services, serving as a stark reminder of the potential costs of opting for seemingly harmless free apps.
The advice regarding VPN usage is straightforward: users should exercise caution and conduct thorough research before downloading any VPN applications, ensuring that they are selecting trustworthy services that prioritize user safety.
