France gets blocked from Pornhub on June 4, and within 30 minutes Proton VPN usage explodes by a whopping 1000%
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On June 4, Pornhub and its sister sites Redtube and YouPorn got blocked for users in France. Instead of the normal site, French users were shown a message protesting new French rules about age checks to stop minors from watching porn, as per reports.These rules were supposed to be followed by June 7, and France asked all adult sites to start age verification before that. Just 30 minutes after the block, ProtonVPN said their signups shot up by 1,000%. They said this was an even bigger spike than when the US tried to ban TikTok earlier, according to the report by POLITICO.France was actually Pornhub's second-biggest audience in 2024, after the US. Another VPN company, NordVPN, said their usage went up by 170% in France since the ban. The NordVPN rep added that these jumps usually happen when people feel their online freedom is being blocked, as mentioned in the reports.A site that tracks VPN trends, Top10VPN, said that on June 4, overall VPN demand rose by 334% compared to the average of the last 28 days. The company behind Pornhub, Aylo, said it's not totally against age verification, but they don't support France's way of doing it, according to the reports.Aylo believes France's method won't really stop minors and also puts user privacy at risk. Instead, Aylo wants any age checks to happen on the user's device, not through external methods, as stated by POLITICO.Pornhub blocked itself in protest of France's strict age verification rules for adult sites.People used VPNs like ProtonVPN to bypass the Pornhub block after the site went offline.
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First Post
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Hindustan Times
17 minutes ago
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A French door refrigerator has two side-by-side doors on the top and a pull-out freezer drawer at the bottom. This design allows for wider shelves and easier access to fresh food. Compared to traditional top-freezer or single-door fridges, French door models offer better organisation, more storage capacity, and often include smart features like water dispensers, temperature zones, and energy-efficient cooling systems, making them ideal for families or heavy grocery users. How much storage space do I need in a French door fridge? Storage needs depend on your household size and lifestyle. A 20–25 cubic feet fridge is ideal for 3–5 people, while larger families may need 26–30 cubic feet. French door refrigerators offer flexible shelving, door bins, and drawers to maximise space. Consider your weekly grocery shopping, fresh produce, and frozen goods. Adjustable shelves and separate compartments help prevent overcrowding, making it easier to organise food efficiently and reduce spoilage. Are French door refrigerators energy-efficient? Yes, many French door refrigerators are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Look for models with Energy Star ratings, LED lighting, inverter compressors, and precise temperature controls, which reduce electricity consumption. Features like dual cooling systems also help maintain optimal humidity for fresh produce while keeping energy use low. Although larger than standard fridges, these models often balance size and efficiency, helping you save on long-term energy bills without compromising performance. Factors to consider while buying a French door refrigerator Size & Capacity: Ensure it fits your kitchen and storage needs, including door clearance and ventilation space. Energy Efficiency: Choose Energy Star-rated models with inverter compressors and LED lighting to save electricity and maintain freshness. Cooling Technology: Dual or multi-zone cooling keeps different compartments at optimal temperatures, preventing freezer burn and food spoilage. Storage Flexibility: Adjustable shelves, pull-out drawers, and dedicated bins improve organisation and accommodate large or oddly shaped items. Features & Smart Options: Ice/water dispensers, alarms, smart connectivity, or convertible compartments add convenience and versatility. Build Quality & Brand: Opt for durable, reputable brands with stainless steel finishes for longevity and easy maintenance. Top 3 features of the best French door refrigerators Product Name Capacity Cooling Technology Special Feature Samsung 550L Frost Free French Door Refrigerator 550 L Twin Cooling Plus with Digital Inverter Compressor Convertible compartments, Power Freeze & Power Cool Electrolux 600L Frost Free Inverter French Door Refrigerator 600 L NutriFresh Inverter with TasteLockPlus & EvenTemp FlexStor, TasteGuard Deodoriser, Twist & Serve Ice Maker, QuickFreeze Electrolux 524L Frost Free Inverter French Door Refrigerator 524 L NutriFresher Inverter with TasteLockAuto & EvenTemp Auto Ice Maker, ChillRoom Compartment, TasteGuard Deodoriser Haier Lumiere 520L 4-Door Refrigerator 520 L (Fresh Food 350L, Freezer 80L, Convertible Zone 90L) Triple Inverter Compressor Magic Convertible Zone, Digital Display, Deo Fresh Technology, Anti-Bacterial Gasket, Toughened Glass Shelves Electrolux 680L French Door Refrigerator 680 L TwinTech Cooling, TasteSealFlex TasteLockAuto, FlexStor Adjustable Shelves, WaterStream, AutoIce, TasteGuard Deodoriser Electrolux 634L French Door Refrigerator 634 L GreenZone, EvenTemp, Inverter Compressor Spherical Ice, Electronic Touch Controls Similar stories for you Top 10 refrigerators under ₹20000 in Aug 2025 for budget friendly freshness and quality cooling Top 10 double door refrigerators in July 2025 for uniform cooling, humidity control, and expansive freezer space Best 5-in-1 convertible refrigerators in August 2025 with powerful cooling and energy-saving features Best refrigerator deals in Amazon sale monsoon offers with up to 40% off Best 3 Star double door refrigerators for August 2025 from LG, Samsung and more FAQs on French door refrigerators Do they have adjustable shelves? Most models feature flexible shelving, foldable bins, and pull-out drawers to store large or oddly shaped items. Do they come with ice and water dispensers? Many models offer built-in dispensers; some even include smart connectivity for convenience and control. Is maintenance easy? Yes, stainless steel finishes resist fingerprints, and most compartments are easy to clean with removable shelves and drawers. Are they noisy? Quality French door fridges operate quietly; inverter compressors reduce noise while maintaining consistent cooling. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
French President Hits Back: Macron Defends Wife Amid Vicious Claims
French President Emmanuel Macron has finally spoken out after filing a lawsuit against Candace Owens over her false allegations targeting his wife, Brigitte Macron. Owens had claimed Brigitte was 'born a man,' a baseless conspiracy that Macron said went 'too far.' In his interview with Paris Match, Macron explained that the smear spread so widely in the US that he had no choice but to act. The Macrons have filed 22 charges, including defamation, and are seeking damages for the reputational harm caused. Owens amplified the claims through her podcast series Becoming Brigitte, which the couple says inflicted 'tremendous damage.' Macron also questioned Owens' credibility, accusing her of exploiting conspiracy theories for fame and profit, calling it 'provocation, not truth.' Read More
