- Search for ‘VPN’ in Missouri Soars as Age Verification Law Takes Effect
- On November 30, age verification became mandatory to access adult content
- All websites containing 33% “material harmful to minors” must comply
Today, November 30, is the first day all Internet users in Missouri must prove they are at least 18 years old to access adult 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 Missouri’s age verification law took effect, according to Google Trends data.
Search volume for the term “VPN” has doubled since Saturday, November 29, with a further increase recorded today.
This trend follows similar spikes in VPN usage elsewhere in the United States and abroad, as other states have implemented some form of mandatory age verification.
As Missourians scramble to protect the privacy of their most sensitive information, it is very likely that incidents of phishing and online fraud statewide will increase. Mandatory age checks can push many people towards unsafe free VPN solutions, which far outperform the best safe and reliable free VPNs found on app stores.
There are even recently released VPN solutions that directly target those looking for a VPN in Missouri.
Before Sunday, a quick search for “Missouri VPN” revealed many names our team of VPN experts and lab testers had never even heard of among the top results.
If you are looking for a reliable solution, there are good free VPNs that will help you. However, now is also a great time to try a paid product, as many of the best VPNs on the market are now offering limited-time Black Friday VPN deals.
This includes TechRadar’s top-rated service, NordVPN, which is still at its lowest price of 2025 for at least a few days.
Age Verification and Privacy in Missouri – Everything You Need to Know
Missouri’s age verification rules are quite similar to those in other parts of the United States. Therefore, the same set of issues regarding user privacy and security remains.
Under the new rules, all websites or apps 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 interviewed by TechRadar criticized for “vague” language.
There are a few age verification methods that users and providers can choose from. These include the use of digital identification, scanning of government-issued or other identity documents transactional data.
The law requires website and application providers to use all reasonable methods to secure user data. Vendors are also prohibited from retaining identifying information unless otherwise directed by law enforcement.
Still, these safeguards have so far failed to convince experts that abuse and data leaks will stay at bay.
“By forcing everyone to hand over their most valuable and sensitive identity data, the law creates a dangerous new surveillance infrastructure instead of actually keeping young people safe,” Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) campaigner Molly Buckley told TechRadar.
Clearly, Missourians share the same concerns and are not willing to give away their most sensitive information so easily. Virtual private network (VPN) tools now seem to be the best chance they have to maintain control of their data.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy abroad. We do not support or approve the use of a VPN service to break the law or conduct illegal activities. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.
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