In a dramatic response to mounting regulatory pressure, France witnessed an unprecedented 874% spike in demand for virtual private networks (VPNs) following Pornhub’s decision to block access for users in the country. The adult entertainment giant, owned by Canadian tech company Aylo, geo-blocked French IP addresses on June 4, just days before a new legal deadline requiring age verification measures took effect.
The move comes as part of a broader push across Europe and the United States to tighten online age restrictions and protect minors from accessing adult content.
Background: Why Pornhub Blocked France
The catalyst for Aylo’s drastic action was the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping regulation enforced by the European Commission to make online platforms safer and more accountable. On May 26, the Commission launched formal proceedings against several prominent adult websites—Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos—citing concerns over inadequate age verification systems and the potential exposure of minors to explicit content.
Under French law, adult content websites were required to implement compliant age verification solutions by June 7. Aylo, which operates Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube, opted instead to geo-block access for all users in France, citing concerns over user privacy and the fairness of the law.
Rather than complying, the company issued a symbolic protest. Visitors to any of its platforms from France now see a defiant image based on Eugène Delacroix’s painting Liberty Leading the People, accompanied by the message: “La liberté n’a pas de bouton off” (“Freedom has no off button”).
Why the VPN Demand Skyrocketed
The restriction left millions of users in the lurch—Pornhub counted over 67 million French visitors in 2024, making France its second-largest user base globally, after the United States.
As soon as news of the geo-block surfaced, French VPN traffic surged by 325% on June 3, according to cybersecurity analysts at vpnMentor. After the full restriction took effect on June 4, that number ballooned to 874%, indicating widespread attempts by users to bypass the block.
This mirrors similar behavior seen in the U.S., where Pornhub previously blocked access to users in 18 states due to the passage of comparable age-verification laws. Florida, for instance, saw a 1,150% spike in VPN use just hours after its law HB3 was enacted in January 2025.
Why This Matters
The standoff between Aylo and French regulators highlights a growing conflict between user privacy, corporate compliance, and government regulation. While age verification laws are designed to protect minors, critics—including Aylo—argue that they risk infringing on user privacy and may involve intrusive data collection methods.
At the same time, the soaring demand for VPNs underlines users’ determination to maintain unrestricted access, regardless of legal boundaries.
But cybersecurity experts caution that not all VPNs are created equal. In response to the surge, vpnMentor issued warnings about using unreliable VPN services, which have in the past led to data breaches exposing emails, passwords, payment information, and personal device details.
How to Choose a Safe VPN: Expert Recommendations
To minimize risk while maintaining online privacy, users are advised to choose VPN providers with the following features:
- Strong encryption protocols, such as AES-256-bit to secure data.
- A strict no-logs policy that ensures browsing activity is not stored.
- A kill switch to cut internet access if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
- DNS leak protection to safeguard against exposure of browsing requests.
Using a secure VPN can help users navigate regulatory restrictions while maintaining privacy, but it must be done responsibly and legally.
“We neither encourage nor condone the misuse of VPNs for unlawful purposes,” vpnMentor emphasized in a public advisory. “Understanding the legal implications of online behavior is essential.”
What’s Next?
As France enforces its new age verification requirements, all eyes are on whether other adult content platforms will follow Pornhub’s lead or opt for compliance. Meanwhile, the European Commission’s investigation under the DSA is ongoing and could result in hefty penalties or further restrictions for non-compliant platforms.
The growing wave of regulation in both Europe and the U.S. suggests a paradigm shift in how governments manage online adult content. But as companies push back and users find workarounds, the battle between access and accountability is far from over.
User Takeaway: If you’re in France and wondering why you can’t access Pornhub or similar adult sites, it’s due to new government regulations enforcing age verification. In response, Pornhub chose to block all French IPs rather than comply. Many users are turning to VPNs to regain access, but experts warn to use only secure, privacy-focused VPNs to avoid data leaks or legal trouble.