Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Utah Law Targets VPN Age-Check Evasion, Raises Free-Speech Concerns

5/3/2026

49 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Governor Spencer Cox signed Senate Bill 73 on March 19, 2026, making Utah the first state to penalize companies that enable VPN circumvention of age checks.
Critics say the bill’s requirement that sites block VPN-related instructions could force blanket IP blocks and raise First Amendment concerns.
Officials in the United Kingdom and France have called VPNs loopholes, suggesting Utah’s law could inspire similar restrictions abroad.

1 of 1

Story summary

Governor Spencer Cox signed Senate Bill 73 on March 19, 2026, making Utah the first state to penalize companies that enable VPN circumvention of age checks.
Critics say the bill’s requirement that sites block VPN-related instructions could force blanket IP blocks and raise First Amendment concerns.
Officials in the United Kingdom and France have called VPNs loopholes, suggesting Utah’s law could inspire similar restrictions abroad.