Michigan Considers VPN Ban Amidst Growing Privacy Concerns
Half of US states have enacted age-verification laws, pushing consumers towards VPNs to protect sensitive data. However, this trend has sparked concerns about increased online surveillance and censorship, with some countries already banning or heavily restricting VPNs. Now, a US state is considering a bill that could ban VPNs, raising alarms about online privacy.
Michigan is contemplating legislation that would prohibit adult content online and, notably, VPNs. This marks the first instance of a US state proposing such a ban. The move has drawn criticism from digital rights advocacy groups like Fight for the Future, which has designated Sept. 25 as a VPN Day of Action. The group encourages people to sign an open letter urging politicians to preserve VPNs and defend online privacy and access to information.
VPNs work by encrypting internet connections and masking users' physical locations. They have practical uses beyond evading age-verification laws, such as securely connecting employees to company networks. Banning VPNs would pose challenges due to these practical applications, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. However, there are currently no widely reported or confirmed cases of US politicians proposing laws specifically targeting VPNs, aside from Michigan's proposed bill.
As age-verification laws drive consumers to VPNs, concerns about increased online surveillance and censorship grow. Michigan's proposed ban on VPNs, if enacted, could set a precedent for other states. Fight for the Future's VPN Day of Action highlights the importance of preserving VPNs and online privacy, with the Electronic Frontier Foundation acknowledging the practical difficulties of a ban.
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