TZUTC: -0500
MSGID: 1757.consprcy@1:2320/105 2d92e446
PID: Synchronet 3.21a-Linux master/123f2d28a Jul 12 2025 GCC 12.2.0
TID: SBBSecho 3.28-Linux master/123f2d28a Jul 12 2025 GCC 12.2.0
BBSID: CAPCITY2
CHRS: ASCII 1
FORMAT: flowed
 [One third content harmful to minors should cover most all social media sites
but I somehow bet it does not. -- Mike]

Missouri's search for VPNs lifts off as the first day of age verification
arrives

Date:
Sun, 30 Nov 2025 17:24:01 +0000

Description:
Starting from November 30, age checks became mandatory to access adult-only
content. And citizens are turning to VPNs.

FULL STORY

Today, November 30, is the first day that all internet users in Missouri must
prove they are at least 18 years old to access adult-only content online  and
many citizens have begun looking for ways to protect their personal data. 

Google searches for the terms ' VPN ' and ' free VPN ' have skyrocketed in 
the Ozark State since the Missouri age verification law came into effect,
according to Google Trends data. 

The search volume for the term 'VPN' has doubled since Saturday (November 
29), with a further surge registered today. 

This trend follows similar spikes in VPN usage recorded elsewhere in the US,
and abroad, as other states implemented some form of mandatory age
verification . 

With Missourians scrambling to protect the privacy of their most sensitive
information, it's very likely that state-wide incidents of phishing and 
online fraud will rise. Mandatory age checks can push many towards dangerous
free VPN solutions, which by far and away outnumber the safe, trusted best
free VPNs found on app stores. 

There are even some recently published VPN solutions popping up that directly
target those searching for a Missouri VPN. 

In the lead-up to Sunday, a quick search for "Missouri VPN" turned up many
names our team of expert VPN reviewers and lab testers had never even heard 
of at the top results. 

If you are in the hunt for a trusted solution, there are good free VPNs that
will help out. However, it's a perfect time to try out a paid product too,
with many of the very best VPNs on the market now offering time-limited Black
Friday VPN deals . 

Missouri age verification and privacy all you need to know

Missouri's age verification rules are pretty similar to those enacted in 
other US regions. Therefore, the same set of issues for users' privacy and
security remains. 

Under the new rules , all websites or applications containing more than
one-third "material harmful to minors" are required to verify that their 
users are adults before granting them access. This is a provision that 
experts talking to TechRadar have criticized for its "vague" terms. 

There are a few age verification methods that users and providers can opt 
for. These include the use of digital ID , the scanning of government-issued
identification documents, or other transactional data. 

The law requires website and app providers to use all reasonable methods to
secure user data. Providers are also forbidden from retaining any identifying
information unless otherwise required by law enforcement. 

Nonetheless, these are guarantees that have so far failed to convince experts
that data abuse and leaks will remain at bay. 

"By forcing everyone to hand over their most valuable and sensitive identity
data, the law builds out a dangerous new surveillance infrastructure instead
of actually keeping young people safe," activist at the Electronic Frontier
Foundation (EFF), Molly Buckley, told TechRadar. 

Clearly, people in Missouri share the same concerns and are not willing to
hand over their most sensitive details as easily. Virtual private network
(VPN) tools seem to be the best chance they now have to keep control over
their data. 

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. 

======================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/missouris-search-for-vpns-l
ifts-off-as-the-first-day-of-age-verification-arrives

$$
--- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
 * Origin: capitolcityonline.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/HTTP (1:2320/105)
SEEN-BY: 105/81 106/201 128/187 129/14 305 153/7715 154/110 218/700
SEEN-BY: 226/30 227/114 229/110 134 206 300 307 317 400 426 428 470
SEEN-BY: 229/664 700 705 266/512 291/111 320/219 322/757 342/200 396/45
SEEN-BY: 460/58 633/280 712/848 902/26 2320/0 105 304 3634/12 5075/35
PATH: 2320/105 229/426