2025 was a bad year for internet freedoms – here's the 3 cheapest ways to reclaim your digital rights

2025 has been a challenging year for internet users around the world. There's been major internet restrictions during political upheaval – including in Tanzania and Cameroon recently – alongside heightened censorship in countries well-known for restricting access to information online.

If that wasn't enough, a storm of age verification laws has also flooded the internet across Western democracies.

People in the UK, several US States, some European countries, and (soon) Australia now have to prove they are over 18 by sharing sensitive details to access content deemed inappropriate for minors.

Amid this chaos, the best VPN services have stepped up and offered refuge for people concerned about their privacy ...