- VPN
- VPN Services
Strict age checks are becoming the norm online, here is how to secure your personal data for less than the price of a coffee.
Comments (0) ()When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Jump to:
- Best Black Friday VPNs
- Privacy risks
The rollout of age verification has been a massive story in the digital privacy sphere throughout 2025. Beyond the general frustration of constant checks, everyday users and privacy advocates have expressed deep concerns regarding the security implications.
The primary worry centers on the de-anonymization of the internet, requiring individuals to hand over sensitive identification data to unknown third-party handlers just to access information.
Best $2/month Black Friday VPN deals
1. Surfshark Black Friday deal

Surfshark One: $2.69 $2.19/month + 3 months freeFor Black Friday, Surfshark has dropped the price of its 2-year plan to $2.19 per month, including an additional 3 months for free. Surfshark One isn't the cheapest plan, but it's definitely the best deal as it includes a comprehensive security suite. Crucially for this topic, an Alternative ID tool allows you to generate an entirely new online identity. Here's all you get:🔒 Reliable and feature-packed VPN👤 Alternative ID for name, address, and email🦠 Full antivirus built in🤐 Privacy-first web search📬 Email, ID, and credit card fraud alertsThe plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
View Deal2. Private Internet Access (PIA) Black Friday deal

Private Internet Access: $2.03/month now with 4 months extra includedPIA is offering a 2-year subscription for $2.03 per month, which comes with an extra 4 months of coverage. This provider has strong privacy credentials; its no-logs policy has been proven in court twice, demonstrating that PIA is truly uninterested in keeping tabs on user activity. Here's all you get:🔒 500GB of pCloud cloud storage for 1 year🛑 MACE ad, tracker, and malware blocking🔌 Multi-hop and split tunnelling capabilityPIA also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so that you can try it out risk-free.
View Deal3. CyberGhost Black friday deal

CyberGhost: $2.19 $2.03 per month + 4 months extraMatching the price point of PIA, CyberGhost is also now available for $2.03 per month on a 2-year plan, plus 4 months free. A veteran of the industry, CyberGhost provides strong core tools and remains a great option for beginners thanks to its highly user-friendly apps.👻 A veteran of the VPN world🚀 950+ Mbs speeds🚫 Built-in ad blockerThis deal is backed by a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
View DealHow does age verification pose a risk to your ID/data?
The primary threat age verification poses is to online anonymity. Increasingly, people's browsing habits and history are being linked directly to their real-world identity. Privacy advocates argue this could lead to increased or normalized surveillance, where private online activity is no longer private.
There are also significant concerns regarding how the identifiable data used to prove age is handled and processed. For instance, over 70,000 government ID photos were leaked when the third-party provider used by Discord got hacked.
Users must question whether the third-party services collecting this data take appropriate measures to protect it from interception that could lead to identity theft. Questions remain regarding how soon data is deleted after verification and how robust the privacy policies of these third-party handlers actually are.
Furthermore, there is ambiguity regarding who decides what content falls under the umbrella of "adult" or "dangerous." There is a risk that legitimate, useful resources could be made harder to reach for politicized reasons or due to overly broad definitions.
Using a VPN can help readers reclaim aspects of their privacy. Through encryption and location spoofing, a VPN makes it significantly more difficult for third parties to track activity or link specific browsing sessions to a physical location.
Unfortunately, this utility is also why VPN usage is currently under attack. Some US states (Michigan and Wisconsin) are looking to ban VPN traffic specifically to prevent people from circumventing age restrictions, a situation the TechRadar team is keeping tabs on, along with the significant backlash it is causing.
DisclaimerWe 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.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Black Friday
Rene MillmanContributing WriterRene Millman is a seasoned technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Computer Weekly, and IT Pro. With over two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, he specializes in making complex topics like cybersecurity, VPNs, and enterprise software accessible and engaging.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
The best age verification VPNs in 2025 – avoid handing over your data insecurely when browsing online
2025 was a bad year for internet freedoms – here's the 3 cheapest ways to reclaim your digital rights
Italy introduces mandatory age verification − here's how this Black Friday deal can help you protect your privacy
How to choose an age verification VPN
ID, please – inside the age verification "mess" splintering the US internet
165 million Americans suffered a data breach in 2025 – this $2 solution could stop you from being next
Latest in VPN Services
What protocols does Norton VPN offer? Mimic and more explained
ExpressVPN's Black Friday VPN deal is now official with 30% off and 4 months free
Norton VPN vs Bitdefender VPN – are antivirus VPNs really worth your money this Black Friday?
We tested the malware blocking capabilities of your favorite VPNs – here’s the best that you can save on right now
This VPN is offering a lifetime of VPN coverage and premium password management for only $30! Here's how to pick up your deal
Black Friday shoppers advised to be cautious as fake Amazon, eBay websites soar
Latest in Deals
Worried about age verification? These VPNs secure your ID online and only cost $2 per month
Looking for an amazing saving? This exclusive IDrive deal is the biggest cloud storage discount we've seen this Black Friday
Need more space for your photos? This Carbonite cloud storage offer is a steal this Black Friday at 60% off
NordLocker is one of the most trusted security platforms out there - and its cloud storage offering has some great Black Friday deals
Ready to give your business a sharper edge this Black Friday? Update your branding with Vistaprint's mega sale
This VPN is well equipped for torrenting, and right now it's 75% off
LATEST ARTICLES- 1Worried about age verification? These VPNs secure your ID online and only cost $2 per month
- 2Sam Altman wants his AI device to feel like 'sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake,' but it sounds more like endless surveillance
- 3Did Intel's next big thing in workstations just leak? Ahead of Granite Rapids launch, report claims this is what's next from troubled chipmaker
- 4Scary Chinese sim shows swarm of drones blocking Starlink out over Taiwan
- 5Top Linux PC maker drops plan for SnapdragonX Elite-powered notebook - says hardware was "less suitable than expected."