New age-verification mandates aimed at shielding minors from adult content show mixed results, with VPN usage spiking 25% in restricted regions and privacy advocates warning of surveillance risks.
Louisiana’s pioneering age-verification law, implemented in January 2024, has reduced traffic to compliant adult platforms by 80% according to SimilarWeb data. However, a University of Plymouth study reveals 25% increased VPN usage among minors to bypass restrictions, while unregulated sites like XVideos saw 50% traffic surges. The Electronic Frontier Foundation cautions that ‘mandatory ID checks create honeypots for hackers,’ as EU regulators finalize strict DSA compliance rules.
The Compliance Paradox
Since Louisiana’s law took effect, PornHub has blocked access entirely in restrictive states, redirecting users to advocacy content about digital rights. Dr. Emily Carter, lead researcher on the Plymouth study, told TechPolicy Daily: ‘Our October 2023 data shows minors now spend 37% more time on unmoderated platforms than before regulation – exactly the opposite of lawmakers’ intent.’
Global Regulatory Momentum
The EU’s Digital Services Act, updated this week, mandates ‘systemic age-assurance tools’ by 2024. Internal market commissioner Thierry Breton stated on 18 October: ‘We’re prioritizing privacy-preserving tech like facial age estimation over ID databases.’ UK-based AgeID coalition proposes blockchain-verified credentials that only confirm adulthood without storing identities.
Legal Challenges Mount
The Free Speech Coalition’s 16 October lawsuit argues Louisiana’s law ‘forces adults to surrender constitutional anonymity for basic web access.’ Similar legislation failed in Utah after traffic to .onion sites (unregulated dark web portals) tripled within weeks of implementation.
