VPN interest spikes in Brazil as mandatory age verification law takes effect

VPN interest spikes in Brazil as mandatory age verification law takes effect | TechRadar Skip to main content Don't miss these VPN Privacy & Security Australia’s age verification rules: Is a VPN ban on the horizon? VPN Privacy & Security Russia’s crackdown on VPNs reaches new heights as internet restrictions intensify VPN Privacy & Security VPNs surge in Australia as mandatory age verification for adult content begins VPN Privacy & Security Australia 'Swiss cheese-like age verification' may lead to a VPN ban, and digital safety is at risk VPN Services A free VPN has shot to second in Australia's iOS App Store rankings after the arrival of age verification — but here's the VPN you should get instead VPN Privacy & Security Iranians threatened with legal action for using VPNs to bypass internet blocks — here's everything we know VPN Services Australians are downloading these 3 VPNs right now, we find 1 of them a little concerning VPN Services Russia’s battle against VPNs is entering a new phase: Here's what to expect in 2026 VPN Services “Not equipped to handle that responsibility”: the VPN industry reacts to TechRadar's latest research VPN Privacy & Security How to tell if your kids are using a VPN - and should you be worried? VPN Privacy & Security Russia is using DNS and DPI to block YouTube, Telegram and WhatsApp while pushing state-controlled MAX as alternative VPN Services Worried about Australian age verification measures? I've found the cheapest way to secure your personal data for years to come VPN The best age verification VPNs – verify your age securely in regions such as Australia, the US, and the UK VPN Services The best Australia VPN: safe ways to secure yourself while travelling or navigating age verification measures VPN Privacy & Security Windscribe launches stealth VPN app to beat censorship in Iran and Russia (Image credit: Photo by CAIO GUATELLI/AFP/Caio Guatelli / AFP/AFP via Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get the TechRadar Newsletter Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter VPN demand sky-rockets in Brazil as adult content and social media face age-gating New mandatory age checks became enforced on March 17 Platforms face potential shutdowns and huge fines for non-compliance. Brazilians are flocking to VPN services as the country’s sweeping new mandatory age verification rules officially come into force. According to the latest Google Trends data , searches for 'VPN' in Brazil have been slowly rising since Monday. Leading privacy provider Proton VPN confirmed a 250% increase in sign-ups from the country overnight between Monday and Tuesday. Article continues below You may like VPNs surge in Australia as mandatory age verification for adult content begins Australia’s age verification rules: Is a VPN ban on the horizon? VPN use soars in Argentina following anti-piracy blocks – here's what we know David Peterson, General Manager at Proton VPN, told TechRadar these "surges often reflect adult users turning to VPNs due to growing concerns about their privacy and online security." The Digital ECA (Digital Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente or Lei 15.211/2025) became enforceable on March 17. Under the rules, online service providers must verify that users are old enough to access content deemed inappropriate to minors. It includes social media, online games, and adult-only content. The stakes for platforms are high. Non-compliance can result in services being throttled or blocked entirely, alongside massive fines of up to 10% of the company’s Brazilian revenue, capped at 50 million Brazilian reais (almost $10 million USD). Why Brazilians are turning to VPNs (Image credit: Getty Images) The Digital ECA establishes a strict framework for online service providers to protect children from age-inappropriate content. However, much like the debate seen in Europe and the UK, these age assurance provisions are raising concern among digital rights advocates. Under the new rules, adult-only websites, social media platforms, and gaming services must verify that users meet the minimum age requirements — typically 18 for adult content and 16 for social media. The law mandates "proportional, auditable, and technically secure" verification, which in practice requires all users to submit identity data or biometric scans to prove their age. Proton VPN’s David Peterson told TechRadar that while the company "fully supports" efforts to protect young people from harmful material, he also stressed the importance of "implementing solutions that also uphold user privacy and security." What to read next Australia 'Swiss cheese-like age verification' may lead to a VPN ban, and digital safety is at risk 'A liability trap' — NordVPN slams Utah age verification law targeting VPN users Age verification changed the internet in 2025 – here's what it means for your privacy in 2026 Proton VPN confirmed a 250% increase in downloads from the country Brazil's new law explicitly states that age verification methods — which may include scanning national IDs or collecting biometric data — must preserve user privacy through strict data minimization rules. However, many Brazilians remain unconvinced. Wary of sharing sensitive identity details with a wide range of platforms, users are increasingly looking for ways to shield their personal information. VPN services offer a straightforward solution for enhancing online privacy. By encrypting all outgoing internet traffic, they prevent third parties from snooping on user activity. However, it is vital to choose a secure provider. Unreliable or "scam" VPN applications often pose a greater risk to your data than the platforms you are trying to avoid. For users looking to protect their data in Brazil, TechRadar maintains a comprehensive guide to the best VPN services available now. For those on a budget, our experts have also ranked the best free VPNs , with Proton VPN and PrivadoVPN currently leading the market for security and reliability. Today's best VPN deals NordVPN 2 Year $3.39 /mth View +3 months free Surfshark 24 Months $1.99 /mth View Proton VPN $2.99 /mth View +4 MONTHS FREE ExpressVPN 24 month $2.44 /mth View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Disclaimer We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone using a VPN service to break the law or conduct illegal activities. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! Chiara Castro News Editor (Tech Software) Chiara is a multimedia journalist committed to covering stories to help promote the rights and denounce the abuses of the digital side of life – wherever cybersecurity, markets, and politics tangle up. She believes an open, uncensored, and private internet is a basic human need and wants to use her knowledge of VPNs to help readers take back control. She writes news, interviews, and analysis on data privacy, online censorship, digital rights, tech policies, and security software, with a special focus on VPNs, for TechRadar and TechRadar Pro. Got a story, tip-off, or something tech-interesting to say? Reach out to [email protected] View More You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Logout Read more VPN Privacy & Security VPNs surge in Australia as mandatory age verification for adult content begins VPN Privacy & Security Australia’s age verification rules: Is a VPN ban on the horizon? 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