What does Utah’s SB 73 mean for VPN users?
Utah's Senate Bill 73 requires commercial websites with adult content to verify the age of visitors. Importantly, it treats anyone physically located in Utah as a Utah resident, regardless of whether they use a VPN to mask their IP address. This means if you connect through a VPN server outside Utah, websites still have to comply with Utah’s age verification rules for you.
If these websites don’t successfully verify age, they face fines up to $2,500 per violation. This law effectively puts the responsibility on websites to detect and handle VPN users physically in Utah, complicating location spoofing protections.
How does this law affect VPN privacy and security?
The law threatens to undermine VPNs as privacy tools by forcing websites to block or aggressively track suspected VPN traffic to comply. Websites might resort to intrusive tracking methods or blanket VPN blocks, harming users who rely on VPNs for legitimate privacy and security reasons.
Furthermore, adult websites are prohibited from sharing instructions on using VPNs to bypass age gates, limiting transparency about online privacy tools. This approach risks eroding encryption-based protections without effectively resolving how to verify user age.
Why is this a problem for regular VPN users?
- VPN users in Utah cannot rely on location masking to bypass age verification.
- Increased blocking or tracking by websites reduces anonymity.
- Legitimate VPN users may face service disruptions or more invasive checks.
How are leading VPN providers responding?
Top VPN services like NordVPN, AdGuard VPN, and Surfshark have stated they will not alter how their services operate in Utah, emphasizing that the legal obligations fall on website operators, not VPN providers. They warn that rushing such legislation creates a dangerous precedent that compromises privacy tools without effectively ensuring age assurance.
These providers continue advocating for child safety measures that do not sacrifice user privacy or cybersecurity protections, highlighting the law's potential to harm legitimate VPN users rather than solve its intended problem.
What should VPN users in Utah do to protect their privacy?
- Use reputable VPN services: Choose providers with strong privacy policies that resist tracking and logging.
- Be prepared for stricter website checks: Some sites may require additional identity verification or block VPN traffic entirely.
- Stay informed on legal developments: Enforcement may remain paused due to ongoing legal challenges, but users should expect evolving regulations.
- Avoid sharing location-sensitive information unnecessarily: Protect your digital footprint beyond VPN use.
Practical takeaway for internet privacy in Utah
While you can legally use VPNs in Utah, this law effectively limits their ability to conceal your location for age-restricted content. Websites are under greater pressure to enforce age verification, which may lead to more invasive tracking or blocking of VPN traffic. VPN providers are standing firm on privacy principles, but users must anticipate changes in how online services handle VPN connections.
To maintain your privacy, use trusted VPN providers, be cautious with your personal data online, and watch for updates on the law’s enforcement status. This evolving situation highlights the tension between digital privacy tools and regulatory efforts targeting online content access.