A virtual private network (VPN) works by making it look like a device is accessing the internet from another location, usually a different country.
Doing so allows users to bypass local laws and restrictions and access content that is region-locked or banned in their area.
Unsurprisingly, several VPN services have surged to the top of the app store download rankings this week.
Proton VPN, a free option, jumped more than 10 places from number 19 to number seven on the Google Play store on Monday.
NordVPN, another popular service, is also among the most downloaded apps on iPhone and Android this week, while the VPN SurfShark has seen a marked spike in interest from Australians.
But these workarounds may not work for long.
The eSafety Commissioner’s guidelines say that “service providers are expected to detect whether a user is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)” and take reasonable steps to prevent workarounds.
Aylo, one of the world’s largest online porn organisations, blocked access to its websites – including PornHub, RedTube, YouPorn and Tube8 – for all Australians on Friday.
The sites are also no longer accepting new account registrations from Australian users.
The move was in protest of the second phase of Australia’s social media ban for under-16s, which requires all websites and platforms hosting adult content to bolster their age-verification measures.
That could mean using facial age estimation, digital wallets and photo ID to ensure users are over 18.
The new rules came into effect on Monday and companies found to be in breach risk fines of up to $49.5 million.
But an Aylo spokesman argued it won’t work.
“Young people will trivially side-step age-verification with VPNs or similar tools, while the rest of us take a privacy hit when our IDs become associated with our internet browsing,” he said.
Mish Pony, chief executive of peak sex worker body Scarlet Alliance, warned the Herald the new rules may also push Australians to offshore sites hosting stolen and illegal content.
Especially if they need to provide ID to access adult content in Australia, which may leave some Aussies concerned about their viewing habits being linked back to them.
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