2025 Marked a Sharp Decline in Online Anonymity

In 2025, online anonymity dropped significantly as governments around the world introduced new rules that limit privacy. A major report shows that identity checks, age-verification laws, and pressure to weaken encryption all contributed to a global decline in digital freedom.

A key issue is mandatory age verification. Many countries and U.S. states now require users to prove their age before accessing certain sites. Although these laws are meant to protect children, they force people to share sensitive personal data, and this creates privacy risks. One age-verification company even suffered a major data breach, exposing private information of thousands of users. In some regions, like China and Vietnam, you must verify your identity before posting anything online.

Encryption also came under attack. Some governments pushed companies to reduce or weaken encrypted services. Encrypted apps and email services have been blocked or restricted in many countries, making private communication harder. More than a dozen nations have limited access to end-to-end encrypted tools in recent years.

VPNs, which people use to stay anonymous and avoid tracking, are also facing pressure. Several governments are moving toward limiting them, and in the U.S., some states have suggested restricting VPN use to enforce age-verification rules. In the UK, authorities have begun monitoring VPN traffic more closely.

The report warns that these trends pose a danger to privacy, free expression, and online safety. However, it also notes that this decline can be reversed if governments stop pushing laws that undermine encryption and if tech companies continue defending user anonymity