A new warning has been issued for smartphone users: popular free apps with hundreds of millions of downloads are now putting devices, data, and users themselves at significant risk. And the problem is about to intensify. As a new wave of porn bans takes effect, millions more users are expected to install these apps in the coming weeks, exposing themselves to greater danger.The core issue lies with VPNs. According to a new report, many of the top free VPN apps available on Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store secretly send user data to China. Free VPNs have long been risky, but two recent developments have made the situation worse.First came the short-lived U.S. TikTok ban, which led to a massive surge in VPN downloads—even though using a VPN didn’t actually solve the underlying problem. Many of those VPN apps remain on users’ devices today. The second development, which is ongoing, involves new state-level porn bans and mandatory age or identity verification for accessing popular adult websites. This has prompted many Americans to install VPNs for the first time.As the Tech Transparency Project warns, “millions of Americans have downloaded apps that secretly route their internet traffic through Chinese companies.” If a national U.S. porn ban gains traction, the problem could grow exponentially.VPNs—virtual private networks—route all online traffic through a third-party server. But using an unsafe VPN can be more dangerous than not using one at all. While VPNs are essential for secure, uncensored internet access in many countries, that’s not the case in the U.S.—at least not until porn bans began taking effect.Unlike the TikTok ban, VPNs can easily bypass porn restrictions by tricking websites into thinking a user is in a different location that isn’t subject to bans or verification checks. However, while this circumvents the rules, it can also expose devices and data to malicious servers.In the U.K., similar changes are on the way. Starting July 25, the U.K. will require government-approved age verification to access porn sites. According to BBC News, “Pornhub and other major adult websites have confirmed they will introduce enhanced age checks for users from next month.” Parent company Aylo says it will adopt “government approved age assurance methods” but hasn’t disclosed exactly how users will be required to prove they’re over 18.The U.K.’s controversial Online Safety Bill aims to regulate online pornography like offline adult services. Regulators cite recent research showing 8% of children aged 8-14 in the U.K. had visited a porn site or app within a 28-day period.Porn is more popular than ever on mobile devices—which are especially vulnerable to malicious free VPNs. It’s dangerously easy to install a free app from official app stores without considering who operates it or how it’s funded.As James Maude from BeyondTrust explains, “If you aren’t paying for a product, you are the product. These VPN services are a perfect example of the hidden costs of free apps.”
