Whenever I see VPN, I think: Is it tied to a government intelligence agency? Is it owned by a government intelligence agency? All your traffic is routed through a single, easily observable point. If I were an intelligence agency, I would have VPN services as a business, and I would constantly advertise aggressively how secure and private they are.
Anyways, I really hope the US bans porn on a federal level. I have big plans for a second hand, slightly sticky VHS mail order business.
Only use VPNs that accept XMR and require no personal info.<p><a href="https://www.privacyguides.org/en/vpn/" rel="nofollow">https://www.privacyguides.org/en/vpn/</a>
Related<p><i>Searches for VPNs spike in Texas after Pornhub pulls out of the state</i> (3 points, 10 months ago, no comments) <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39748715">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39748715</a><p><i>Searches for VPN Soar in Utah Amidst Pornhub Blockage</i> (217 points, 2 years ago, 289 comments) <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35807408">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35807408</a><p>The spike was detected/reported by one site only (<a href="https://www.vpnmentor.com/news/vpn-demand-surge-florida/" rel="nofollow">https://www.vpnmentor.com/news/vpn-demand-surge-florida/</a>). Nice SEO for them.<p>Note vpnMentor is pretty obscure, the NYT/Wirecutter didn't include it in a recent roundup [The Best VPN Service (2024)](<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vpn-service/" rel="nofollow">https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-vpn-service/</a>)
I wonder how many people will be getting scammed or infected by malicious 'free' VPNs.
Most people affected by this (minors) won't have a credit card to pay for legit VPNs
I can't say I'm surprised. I think it's hilarious and fitting that news outlets are referring to Pornhub blocking access as "pulling out". I can't wait to see what term they use to describe unblocking access (if it ever happens).
If someone is mature enough to know what a VPN is and to configure and operate it, then they have likely validated they are not a minor.<p>So in a way, using a VPN is an indirect proof of age.