27 States Now Demand ID for Adult Sites—Here's How People Get Around It

Felix Braun · 2026-10-24

Montana is one of 27 US states that now require age verification for adult websites. That means if you want to watch adult content in places like Montana or Utah, you're supposed to hand over your ID or some other personal data. But here's the thing: a lot of people aren't exactly thrilled about that. And who can blame them? Giving your driver's license to a porn site feels like a privacy nightmare waiting to happen. So what are folks doing instead? They're turning to VPNs. ### Why Age Verification Is a Big Deal Age verification laws are popping up all over the country. The idea is to protect minors from accessing adult content. Sounds reasonable, right? But the execution is messy. Many sites don't want to collect sensitive data—it's expensive and risky. So instead, they just block access from states with these laws. That leaves users in a bind. They either give up their personal info or they find another way. And a lot of them are finding another way. ### The VPN Workaround A VPN, or virtual private network, lets you route your internet traffic through a server in another location. So if you're in Montana and the site blocks Montana IP addresses, you can connect to a server in, say, California or even another country. Suddenly, the site thinks you're somewhere else, and you're in. But it's not just about bypassing blocks. A VPN also encrypts your traffic, so your internet provider can't see what you're doing. That's a big plus for privacy. ### Not All Sites Are Playing Along Here's an interesting twist: not all adult sites have decided to jump through the hoops set by anti-porn lawmakers. Some have chosen to simply block access from states with age verification laws rather than implement the required checks. That's why users in those states are turning to VPNs—not just to bypass the block, but to avoid handing over their IDs. > "The best way to protect your privacy is to not give it away in the first place." — Anonymous privacy advocate ### What You Need to Know Before Using a VPN If you're considering a VPN to access adult content, here are a few things to keep in mind: - **Choose a reputable provider.** Free VPNs can be sketchy—they might log your data or inject ads. Pay for a service you trust. - **Check server locations.** Make sure the VPN has servers in states or countries without age verification laws. - **Understand the law.** Using a VPN to bypass age verification isn't illegal in most places, but it's a gray area. Know your local laws. - **Speed matters.** Streaming adult content requires a fast connection. Test the VPN's speed before committing. - **Privacy policy.** Read the fine print. Some VPNs claim to be no-logs but actually keep some data. ### The Bottom Line Age verification laws are here to stay, at least for now. And while they're meant to protect kids, they're also pushing adults to find workarounds. A VPN is the most common solution, but it's not without its own considerations. If you're in a state like Montana or Utah and you want to watch adult content without giving up your personal data, a VPN is probably your best bet. Just do your homework and pick a provider that respects your privacy as much as you do. Remember, the internet is always changing, and so are the rules. Stay informed, stay private, and stay safe.