Wisconsin Lawmakers Target VPNs in Controversial Age Verification Bill

Wisconsin lawmakers are advancing a controversial bill, A.B. 105/S.B. 130, aimed at banning the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) under the guise of protecting children from “harmful” online content. This age verification legislation mandates that websites distributing material deemed potentially sexual must implement age verification systems and block access to users connecting via VPNs. If enacted, Wisconsin would become the first state to prohibit VPN usage for accessing certain content.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

The proposed legislation raises significant concerns regarding its feasibility and implications. VPNs function by masking a user's real location, routing internet traffic through remote servers. As a result, websites cannot accurately determine if a connection is originating from Wisconsin or elsewhere. This creates a dilemma for websites: either they cease operations in Wisconsin or block all VPN users globally to avoid legal repercussions. Such a ban could inadvertently disrupt access for businesses, students, journalists, and vulnerable individuals who rely on VPNs for privacy and security.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

The ramifications of this legislation extend beyond just those seeking to access adult content. Businesses utilize VPNs to secure communications and protect sensitive data, while educational institutions require VPN access for students to engage with academic resources. Vulnerable populations, including domestic abuse survivors and LGBTQ+ individuals in hostile environments, depend on VPNs to safeguard their identities and access essential support services. The proposed law threatens to undermine these protections, making the internet less safe and less private for all users.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Critics argue that the bill represents a misguided approach to online safety. The legislation is seen as an attack on digital privacy and freedom, with opponents asserting that it fails to address the root causes of online harm. Instead of banning VPNs, lawmakers should focus on education and providing parents with better tools to protect their children online. Critics also highlight that age verification systems are often ineffective and can lead to increased surveillance and data breaches.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Opponents of the bill emphasize that forcing individuals to submit personal information, such as government IDs or biometric data, to access legal content poses significant privacy risks. They argue that this approach is counterproductive, as it could lead to data breaches that expose sensitive user information. Advocates for privacy rights assert that the focus should be on protecting individuals' rights rather than restricting access to privacy tools.

Electronic Frontier Foundation

• “Attacks on VPNs are attacks on digital privacy and digital freedom.” — Anonymous Expert

Electronic Frontier Foundation

• “Let's be clear: lawmakers need to abandon this entire approach.” — Anonymous Critic

Electronic Frontier Foundation

As the bill progresses through the Wisconsin Senate, advocates for digital privacy are urging constituents to contact their senators to oppose A.B. 105/S.B. 130. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between online safety measures and the preservation of individual privacy rights in an increasingly digital world.

Electronic Frontier Foundation