'Using VPNs is not criminal:' digital rights advocates return for a second Defend VPNs Day of Action

The second annual Defend VPNs Day of Action, organized by digital rights group Fight for the Future, is set to take place on September 25. This campaign aims to rally people worldwide against laws targeting VPNs, which are increasingly being banned or restricted by various governments. Notable jurisdictions include Utah, Michigan, the UK, and Russia. Digital rights advocates are urging users to sign an open letter and contact their representatives to prevent the banning or restriction of VPNs.

The Defend VPNs Day of Action grew in 2025, with Fight for the Future engaging around 20,000 people during its inaugural year. This year, the group seeks to surpass that number. Supporters can sign a petition on DefendVPNs.com, which emphasizes the importance of VPNs for privacy and access to information. The site also enables users to connect with their lawmakers by phone and provides a suggested script for communication.

VPN providers are showing solidarity with the cause, with Amnezia VPN, IPVanish, and Surfshark among the supporters. Sarah Philips, Campaign Director at Fight for the Future, emphasizes that VPN bans are often part of broader age verification bills or online ID checks that go beyond adult content. The organization argues that vulnerable populations rely on VPNs for essential services such as reaching loved ones, accessing healthcare, and obtaining information.

Fight for the Future asserts that using VPNs is not criminal, and that protecting this right is crucial in an era where governments are actively attempting to undermine digital privacy. Since last year's Day of Action, several significant threats to VPNs have emerged. These include Utah becoming the first US state to target VPNs in an age verification law, a proposed online safety bill in Michigan that would fine ISPs up to $500,000 for promoting VPNs, and the UK expecting platforms to block users from circumventing age checks.

The EU's position on VPNs remains uncertain, as well as Australia's efforts to block age verification workarounds. In Brazil, VPN use is now considered an aggravating factor in criminal cases, while Russia has blocked over 469 VPNs since February, employing bulk IP blocks and app store takedowns.