CNET survey: 43% of Americans use VPNs, citing privacy as the main reason. Experts expect this number to rise
Virtual privacy networks are becoming more and more popular. Between January’s brief Tiktok ban, the rise of AI scams and online privacy concerns, Americans are turning to VPNs to access restricted content or improve their security. Exclusive CNET survey found that 43% of adults in the United States are using it VPNnearly half of it is to protect its online activities and IP addresses.
Given what we do online, Neal O’Farrell, a cybersecurity expert with over 40 years of experience, first owned the founder of Think Security, so believe we should all use VPNs, especially if you are worried that someone will track your web surfing habits.
“Instead of rolling the dice, hope no one sneaks around, just don’t take the opportunity,” O’Farrell said. Although most Americans have not used VPNs yet, O’Farrell suspects that usage will increase as privacy concerns grow.
Earlier this year, interest in using VPNs to access banned or blocked content increased, especially when Tiktok landed for several hours on the evening of January 18. The CNET survey found that since early 2025, 50% of Gen Zers and 50% of millennials in the CNET survey used VPNs to try to access restricted applications or websites.
“The threat of the U.S. ban has caused a surge in interest in VPNs as many are looking for ways to bypass restricted access,” said Moe Long, senior security editor at CNET. “But in my tests, using a VPN to unravel tiktok is not a viable solution. Still, this illustrates how VPNs are becoming more mainstream – we have also witnessed this trend firsthand, with more people turning to VPNs in streaming areas for restricted content in streaming areas, such as loading foreign netflix libraries or watching BBC Iplayer, UK Eut of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of uk of
VPNs are legal in most countries. However, there are several countries that prohibit or restrict VPN usage, and the use of one can lead to legal consequences. That’s how CNET’s investigations uncover why and how people use VPNs. If you are interested in trying a VPN, I have collected tips from online security experts.
- privacy: More than half of adults who use VPNs (52%) use the Internet to protect their IP addresses.
- Mobile use: 51% of people who use VPNs do this on their phones, followed by 50% of those who use VPNs on their computers or tablets.
- generation: VPNs are at most younger generations – 50% of Gen Z and millennials use one this year.
- save money: 23% of American adults use VPN to save money, mainly due to the cost of streaming services.
- Access to prohibited applications: Since January 1, 2024, 17% of adults in the United States have tried to access prohibited websites or applications in their regions. Since the beginning of 2025, 50% of Gen Zers and 50% of millennials have used VPNs to try to access restricted apps or sites.
Who is using a VPN?
CNET found that 43% of adults in the U.S. use VPNs, and O’Farrell is expected to rise as people worry more about tracing data. Here is how the number breaks down:
Men tend to use VPNs more than women. Half of the men surveyed use or currently use a VPN, while 36% of the women. Younger generations tend to use VPN more, with 50% of Gen Zers and millennials reporting on VPNs.
Once people try VPNs, they seem to stick with it. 10% say they have been using or trying to use a VPN for one to two years, while 19% say they have been using it for more than two years. Here is a closer look:
More and more people use VPN to protect their phones
In the past, VPNs were often used for laptops and tablets, especially for work or streaming exercise. However, 51% of adults in the United States now use VPNs on their phones. Next is 50% they use them on their personal computers, laptops or tablets.
O’Farrell believes it is wise to use a VPN for mobile phone use.
“We forgot that we traded on our phones and had a lot of sensitive discussions and transactions,” O’Farrell said. “Threats are everywhere and if you use your phone as a daily tool, you need to protect it.”
If you are considering using a VPN for your phone, you don’t need to look for it specifically Mobile VPN,long time.
“The best VPNs switch seamlessly between Wi-Fi and mobile networks, and in my tests the main VPNs went smoothly on both phones and computers,” Lang said. Most VPNs have long supported Android, iOS, and iPados.
Why do people use VPNs?
The main feature of most American adults is to help with VPNs – protecting their IP addresses. The second main reason is to keep its online activities private. Other reasons range from streaming video games to accessing restricted content and applications.
We ask experts to weigh the main reasons people use VPNs, and that’s what we’ve learned.
privacy
Nearly half (47%) of U.S. adults use VPNs to keep their online activities private.
VPN routes your online traffic through an encrypted virtual server, thus viewing the IP address by masking the application and website using the VPN server’s IP address. This protects your actual IP address, as well as your internet service provider, online activities and location.
However, there are limitations on VPN protection. It cannot protect your payment information, cookies and account login.
If you use public Wi-Fi, such as at a coffee shop or an airport, O’Farrell recommends connecting to a VPN. CNET’s tech writer Attila Tomaschek added that even on public Wi-Fi, high-quality VPNs are often fast enough to conduct internet activity.
Access prohibited content
According to CNET’s findings, people using VPNs is another common reason for content banned in your area.
Users may connect to a VPN to watch zone-locked sports games or programs only available in another country. Others may even try to use a VPN to access Tiktok during the January drop.
Since January 1, 2024, 17% of adults in the United States have tried to access banned apps or websites in their areas such as Tiktok. Among those who use VPN to access illegal or ban applications, 45% of people have started using VPNs in the past year.
However, you can’t always use a VPN to access banned applications. For example, Long tried to access Tiktok via VPN during last month’s temporary ban on apps, but couldn’t. Some websites and apps have firewall and VPN detection that can block you. Tomaschek said the content could also be limited to certain regions due to licensing agreements and copyright restrictions.
It is also important to know whether the access content is legal in your country. For example, accessing TV shows blocked by the zone is not usually illegal as long as the use of a VPN in your country is legal. However, you can face other consequences. If accessing blocked content violates the user agreement of your streaming service, your account may be suspended.
You should never use a VPN to access illegal content or violate VPN laws in your country. If you do this, you may face a fine or imprisonment.
“If it is prohibited in a specific country, then the authorities in that country will have the right to access who is accessing it,” O’Farrell said.
ban or restrict VPNs in the following countries:
- Belarus
- China
- Iran
- Oman
- Russia
- Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
Save streaming media
Changing the location of your server with a VPN can help you lock in lower project or service prices, which may be cheaper in other states, regions, or countries.
We found that 19% of us who use VPNs do this Save flow Service costs, including television, sports and music. This will allow using a VPN to save 9% of streaming TVs to save money on streaming sports, while 8% of streaming music is allocated to 12%, with some of the respondents using a VPN to save multiple streaming services.
For example, long-term use of VPNs has been tested to save streaming content and can save $6 by changing its location to the UK using VPN.
If you want to try using a VPN to save on streaming costs, make sure to check the terms and conditions of any languages that prohibit VPN from being used on the service.
A VPN can also help you save money on travel, but only 9% of VPN users are using one user to save on air tickets, hotels, car rentals and other travel expenses. Don’t forget to consider exchange rates and international transaction fees when using a VPN to get the best travel prices.
Interested in trying a VPN?
CNET experts have tested VPNs for over a decade and have conducted hands-on testing to help you find the right research. If you’re thinking of trying a VPN, it’s what CNET experts say is looking for.
Privacy Standards
CNET Editor recommends looking for VPNs with AES 256-bit encryption to hide sensitive information, and an intestate strategy to prevent any of your online activities from being saved by VPN providers. Also look for other privacy features – such as DNS leak protection and kill switches.
Tomaschek recommends ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Proton VPN as premium providers.
beware: A VPN is not a security measure to protect you from identity theft or scams. Yes, you will block your location, but that doesn’t prevent your device from getting viruses or malware. Tomaschek recommends VPNs and antivirus software because they have different purposes. Now, some VPNs even offer identity theft protections like ExpressVPN’s identity defense lawyer and NordVPN’s NordProtect.
Internet speed
Many VPNs will reduce your Internet speed by 50% or higher, but a considered fast VPN will only reduce your speed by 25% or less. If you use a VPN to stream or play video games, you need to find games that lose speed. Tomascheck recommends NORDVPN.
Server and location
When you narrow down the VPN selection, be aware of the number of servers and locations the VPN provides. The more servers and locations it has, you will have the option to bypass geo restrictions and access more content from different countries. More importantly, if the server drops in one location, you will have other options.
VPN support
If you plan to use VPNs on multiple devices, make sure your VPN can handle those VPNs at the same time. Some VPNs allow eight to 10 devices at a time, while others have no limits. It is also important to make sure your VPN supports the operating system. Some VPNs may be better compatible with Windows and MacOS, while mobile VPNs may work better on iOS and Android. Your device may also play a role in the performance of a VPN. We recommend checking out the best VPNs for CNET to help you narrow your search.
Methodology
Unless otherwise stated, all numbers are from YouGov PLC. The total sample size was 2,429 adults, of which 1,057 were used on VPNs. On-site work was carried out between February 3 and 5, 2025. The survey was conducted online. These numbers have been weighted and represent all U.S. adults (ages 18 years or older).
