- Italy has implemented age verification for online adult content
- This has sparked an increase in online searches for VPNs
- The risk is that users may fall into the trap of free or shady VPNs
The demand for VPNs has increased sharply in Italy following the implementation of mandatory age verification in the country.
Data from Google Trends shows that searches related to VPNs doubled after Italy introduced mandatory age checks.
Effective November 12, 2025, websites and video-sharing platforms that host adult content will be legally required to verify that a user is 18 years of age or older.
By implementing an age verification system like this, Italy joins the likes of the UK, France and several US states, all of which have taken steps to restrict access to adult content.
A virtual private network (VPN) is a popular tool that can be used to hide a user’s online location as well as their internet traffic, with the best VPN services allowing them to privately bypass internet censorship and other online restrictions.
Why Italy’s Age Verification Drives Citizens to Turn to VPNs
Italy’s communications regulator, AGCOM, has been quick to reassure citizens that the country’s age verification system will be both secure and private.
The new system requires users to verify their age through a certified third party, which verifies they are over 18 and then issues an anonymous digital token confirming this. The token is then sent to the relevant adult site, which should never see the visitor’s personal data, while the verifier does not know which site is being visited, providing “double anonymity”.
Despite potential safeguards, concerns are still being raised that although the token system hides a user’s identity and only verifies that a user is over 18, other technical traces of activity could theoretically allow site visits to be linked back to a particular user.
Likewise, there are fears that the system could end up creating a centralized database of sensitive age-related verification events that could be attractive to hackers and snoopers alike.
The surge in VPN interest in the wake of Italy’s age verification comes as no surprise. Although Italy’s system uses anonymous tokens, it’s clear that many people still feel insecure about showing any proof of age to access adult content. There may also be concern regarding the possibility of activity being tracked or logged in some way.
The importance of choosing a reputable VPN service
One of the biggest unintended risks of Italy’s rollout of age verification is that if many people turn to VPNs to avoid age checks, some may unwittingly choose free or otherwise shady VPN services. Ironically, this would expose them to more security and privacy risks than the very system they are trying to avoid.
Besides the best free VPNs, most freebies make money by logging identifying information from users – their browsing data included – and then selling that information to third parties. Furthermore, some low-reputation VPNs include embedded trackers or even malware in their apps, putting users at risk of logging or even credential theft.
Even those VPNs that don’t knowingly compromise privacy may simply lack the necessary security to keep data safe. Weak encryption and outdated VPN protocols or the absence of a kill switch or DNS leak protection can all put users at risk.
When evaluating VPN services, it’s important to look for one that uses strong encryption and modern VPN protocols. A true no-logs policy is also important, preferably one that has been independently audited.
If you’re looking for a new service, it’s worth bearing in mind that some reliable premium services have already dropped their prices with an early Black Friday VPN deal, including TechRadar’s top VPN pick, NordVPN…
We test and review VPN services for legitimate recreational use. For example: 1. Accessing a Service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that Service). 2. Protecting your online security and enhancing your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or condone the use of a VPN service to break the law or carry out illegal activities. Consumption of paid-for pirated content is neither endorsed nor endorsed by Future Publishing.
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