Why US States Want to Ban Your VPN (And Why It Won't Work)

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Video's description:

US states including Wisconsin (AB105/SB130) and Michigan are pushing to ban VPNs as part of age verification laws that compromise digital privacy for everyone. This video explains why these bills are technically impossible to implement, threaten journalists and abuse survivors who rely on VPNs, and mirror censorship tactics.

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EFF Coverage

Spoiler

As of this writing, Wisconsin lawmakers are escalating their war on privacy by targeting VPNs in the name of “protecting children” in A.B. 105/S.B. 130. It’s an age verification bill that requires all websites distributing material that could conceivably be deemed “sexual content” to both implement an age verification system and also to block the access of users connected via VPN. The bill seeks to broadly expand the definition of materials that are “harmful to minors” beyond the type of speech that states can prohibit minors from accessing—potentially encompassing things like depictions and discussions of human anatomy, sexuality, and reproduction.

This follows a notable pattern: As we’ve explained previously, lawmakers, prosecutors, and activists in conservative states have worked for years to aggressively expand the definition of “harmful to minors” to censor a broad swath of content: diverse educational materials, sex education resources, art, and even award-winning literature.

Wisconsin’s bill has already passed the State Assembly and is now moving through the Senate. If it becomes law, Wisconsin could become the first state where using a VPN to access certain content is banned. Michigan lawmakers have proposed similar legislation that did not move through its legislature, but among other things, would force internet providers to actively monitor and block VPN connections. And in the UK, officials are calling VPNs "a loophole that needs closing."

This is actually happening. And it's going to be a disaster for everyone.

Here's Why This Is A Terrible Idea​

VPNs mask your real location by routing your internet traffic through a server somewhere else. When you visit a website through a VPN, that website only sees the VPN server's IP address, not your actual location. It's like sending a letter through a P.O. box so the recipient doesn't know where you really live.

So when Wisconsin demands that websites "block VPN users from Wisconsin," they're asking for something that's technically impossible. Websites have no way to tell if a VPN connection is coming from Milwaukee, Michigan, or Mumbai. The technology just doesn't work that way.

Websites subject to this proposed law are left with this choice: either cease operation in Wisconsin, or block all VPN users, everywhere, just to avoid legal liability in the state. One state's terrible law is attempting to break VPN access for the entire internet, and the unintended consequences of this provision could far outweigh any theoretical benefit. [...]

Wisconsin Reps

AB105

SB130

Video Summary

There are recent attempts by some U.S. states, like Wisconsin and Michigan, to ban VPNs as part of age verification laws. It argues that these laws are technically infeasible, pose risks to vulnerable groups, and mirror censorship tactics used in countries with heavy internet restrictions.

Age Verification Concerns -- The push to ban VPNs is linked to age verification laws aimed at protecting children from harmful online content. However, these laws have proven ineffective and can lead to data breaches, exposing children's personal information.

Technical Impossibility -- Websites cannot reliably detect VPN usage based on a user's location, making a blanket ban on VPNs impractical.

Censorship and Freedom of Information -- Banning VPNs is a censorship tactic that restricts access to information and undermines digital freedom.

Impact on Vulnerable Groups -- Journalists, abuse survivors, and many others rely on VPNs for safety and privacy. Banning VPNs jeopardizes their security.

Circumvention and Reduced Safety -- Banning VPNs will likely lead to users adopting less secure methods to bypass restrictions, ultimately reducing their online safety.

Echoes of Authoritarian Regimes -- VPN bans are common in countries with strict internet censorship, such as China and Russia. The emergence of similar measures in the West is concerning.

What can YOU do?

Use a VPN: Normalize VPN usage to protect your digital privacy.
Contact Your Representatives: Urge them to oppose VPN bans and age verification laws.
Support Digital Rights Organizations: Support organizations like the EFF, which are fighting for digital privacy and freedom.