It's official: Utah is the U.S. state closest to banning VPNs
4 hours ago
- #VPN_regulation
- #internet_freedom
- #age_verification
- Utah's Senate Bill 73, effective May 6, prohibits websites from explaining how to use VPNs to bypass age verification and requires them to verify the age of all users in Utah, regardless of virtual location.
- The law's ban on discussing VPNs may violate the First Amendment, pending legal challenges, while holding websites liable for underage access via VPNs raises freedom concerns.
- Websites face two problematic options: implementing universal age verification, which invades privacy and may reduce revenue, or attempting to block VPN traffic, which is technically difficult and seen as a rights violation.
- VPN blocking is challenging due to ever-changing IP addresses and is typically associated with restrictive governments; Utah's approach may set a precedent for other states with age-verification laws.
- While a total VPN ban was rejected in Wisconsin, Utah's law has similar effects, and upcoming lawsuits will test its legality and impact, including on users outside the state.