Proposed Michigan Anti-Porn Law Could Also Ban VPNs
Published
- Bill Scope: Proposal bans porn, depictions of transgender people, and use of circumvention tools like VPNs.
- Unprecedented Move: Unlike age-verification laws elsewhere, Michigan’s bill would block VPNs entirely for users.
- Broader Impact: Restrictions risk limiting cultural works, online privacy, and secure everyday internet activities.
Lawmakers in Michigan have introduced a controversial bill that would not only ban all forms of adult content but also restrict the use of VPNs and other online privacy tools.
What the Proposed Law Says
The legislation, introduced by six Republican representatives, goes further than age-verification measures seen in other states. It proposes a complete ban on adult material and explicitly prohibits any depictions of transgender people.
The bill also seeks to outlaw so-called “circumvention tools,” which include VPNs, proxy servers, and encrypted tunneling methods. These tools are commonly used by people to maintain privacy online or bypass geographic restrictions.
Such a wide-reaching proposal is unusual in the United States. While states like Louisiana, Texas, and Utah have passed age-verification laws for adult content, banning VPNs outright would be unprecedented.
Broader Implications
The proposed measure is highly detailed in its definitions of prohibited material. It even includes a ban on “one biological sex imitating, depicting, or representing himself or herself to be the other biological sex.”
This could unintentionally cover a broad range of cultural works, including classic Shakespeare plays, films like Mrs. Doubtfire, or comedies such as Juwanna Mann.
VPNs, meanwhile, are widely used not just for accessing adult websites but also for everyday security, protecting sensitive data on public Wi-Fi, securing remote work connections, and preserving online privacy. A ban could impact millions of internet users in Michigan.
What Happens Next
At this stage, the bill is only a proposal. Its chances of passing into law remain unclear. Still, it highlights how far-reaching some of these legislative efforts can be as debates around online content and privacy continue across the country.
Critics argue that such measures, while framed as protecting minors, often raise serious privacy concerns. Age-verification laws in other states already require users to provide sensitive information to access websites, sparking debates over surveillance and personal freedom.
For now, Michigan’s proposal stands out for its scope - combining a ban on adult content with restrictions on privacy tools that many consider essential for secure internet use.
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