Texans are turning to VPNs in droves following the decision by Pornhub and its affiliated adult websites to block access in the state. This move, which was in protest of Texas’ age-verification law for pornography sites, has prompted a significant increase in searches for VPNs by Texas users, according to Google data.
The Power of Virtual Private Networks
VPN, short for virtual private network, establishes an encrypted connection between a user and the public internet. It can also mask the user’s location, making it seem like they are accessing the internet from another state or even another country.
Texans Seek Location-Spoofing VPNs
The decision by Pornhub and other related adult websites to block access to Texas users has sparked a newfound interest in location-spoofing VPN services among Texans. This surge in interest comes after the implementation of Texas’ age-verification law, which requires pornography sites to verify users’ ages to ensure only adults aged 18 and older can access them.
Pornhub (along with other sites operated by parent company Aylo) displayed a message to users with Texas-based internet addresses, explaining that access was being disabled to comply with the law. While the company claims to support age-verification measures, it criticizes the Texas law for its ineffectiveness and the inconvenience it causes to users by requiring identification every time they visit an adult-content platform.
“Until the real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Texas,” the message on Pornhub and other Aylo sites stated. “In doing so, we are complying with the law, as we always do, but hope that governments around the world will implement laws that actually protect the safety and security of users.”
VPN Searches in Texas
Google Trends data reveals that searches for VPNs in Texas have reached their peak over the past seven days. Among the top 20 metro areas tracked by Google, Dallas-Ft. Worth showed the highest search interest in VPNs, followed by Houston, Austin, Waco-Temple-Bryan, and San Antonio.
Here’s the Google Trends chart showing relative search interest in the term “VPN” over the past seven days in Texas:
Aylo’s Ownership and Determination
Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub and its affiliated sites, is owned by Canadian private-equity firm Ethical Capital Partners. The firm acquired MindGeek, the predecessor company of Pornhub, last year for undisclosed financial terms. Alex Kekesi, Aylo’s VP of brand and community, reassures everyone that this is not the end. They are reviewing options and consulting with their legal team, determined to fight for the industry and performers who legally earn a living. They plan to appeal through all available judicial recourse to challenge the constitutionality of the law.
Similar Restrictions in Other States
In addition to Texas, Aylo’s network of sites, such as Brazzers, RedTube, YouPorn, Mofos, and Reality Kings, is either blocked or restricted in at least seven other U.S. states. These states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Virginia, and Utah, have implemented similar laws aimed at age verification for adult content.
As more Texans turn to VPNs for accessing content that is now blocked, it remains to be seen how this ongoing battle between adult content platforms and government regulations will unfold.
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