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

• Search for 'VPN' in Missouri soars as age verification law comes into effect
• On November 30, age checks became mandatory to access adult content
• All websites containing 33% of "material harmful to minors" need to comply

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.

This includes TechRadar's top-rated service, NordVPN, which is still at its lowest 2025 price for a few days, at least.

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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.

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