Utah becomes the first US state to target VPNs with a strict age verification law, but top providers refuse to budge
Utah’s unprecedented age verification law takes effect today, explicitly targeting VPN use and treating anyone physically in the state as a resident. However, top privacy providers like NordVPN and AdGuard are pushing back against the "rushed-out" legislation, warning of severe consequences for digital rights.
Utah has become the first U.S. state to introduce a strict age verification law targeting VPNs, although legal challenges could delay its full enforcement. Anyone using a VPN while physically in Utah is considered a resident, and websites face a $2,500 penalty for each violation. Leading VPN providers have stated they will not alter their services in Utah, deeming the law a dangerous precedent that fails to solve age assurance issues.
Utah has emerged as a focal point for a broader digital rights debate. Senate Bill 73, known as the Online Age Verification Amendments, mandates commercial websites hosting adult content to verify user ages. The law's complexity arises from how Utah treats users physically located within its borders, regardless of their VPN location.
Websites could face severe penalties if they fail to comply. Despite the potential legal hurdles, major VPN providers like NordVPN, AdGuard, and Surfshark have refused to modify their services for Utah residents, emphasizing that the law primarily targets website operators. However, digital rights advocates argue that this legislation could set a concerning precedent, potentially weakening cybersecurity and privacy tools that protect all users.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
