AI, age verification and censorship: how the VPN industry tackled 2025's biggest issues – and what it plans to do next (www.techradar.com)

In 2025, the VPN industry grappled with pressing issues such as age verification, AI threats, and escalating internet censorship, marking a pivotal shift in online privacy from a specialized concern to a mainstream expectation. Himmat Bains from Norton VPN noted that the growing integration of AI into daily life has introduced significant risks, including sophisticated scams facilitated by large language models (LLMs). In response, VPN providers like NordVPN and Norton VPN have implemented advanced security features, including scam email checking and call protection, as ongoing threats from AI-enabled scams and potential cyberattacks loom large. Approaches to age verification have emerged as a contentious topic, as governments enforce measures to protect minors from harmful content, raising privacy concerns due to the risk of data breaches affecting sensitive personal information. With evidence from Surfshark showing 90 million accounts breached in just Q3 of 2025, the implications could be dire. Despite these challenges, VPNs remain vital for circumventing internet censorship amidst worsening global freedoms. Looking ahead, VPNs are pivoting towards AI-driven threat detection and enhanced anti-censorship capabilities. NordVPN, for instance, is exploring the use of AI for content validation, while Proton VPN is developing new architecture and post-quantum encryption to ensure user privacy in an increasingly complex digital landscape.