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

Date:
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:55:38 +0000

Description:
Brazils new Digital ECA law requires online providers to implement strict age verification. A massive surge in VPN usage suggests citizens are turning to encryption to protect their privacy.

FULL STORY ======================================================================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 countrys 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 Australias 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 Criana 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 companys 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 VPNs 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 2.59 /mth View +3 months free Surfshark 24 Months 1.49 /mth View Proton VPN 2.39 /mth View +4 MONTHS FREE ExpressVPN 24 month 1.74 /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!



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/vpn-interest-spikes-in-braz il-as-mandatory-age-verification-law-takes-effect


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)