Proposed VPN ban is "concerning", tech watchdog says

[WestMichRad]

Yikes! From Detroit Free Press (long known as the “Freep”)
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/04/proposed-vpn-ban-michigan-tech-watchdog/86463820007/

A Michigan bill aiming to ban online pornography in the state has another alarming proposal tucked into it, one tech governance watchdog says.

House Bill 4938, introduced by state Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, would ban online pornography in Michigan, as well as create penalties for using any software circumvention tools to access pornography.

It’s unlikely the bill will even be voted on, given the limited support it has in the state Legislature. But the provision banning software tools like virtual private networks, or VPNs, has caused concern over potential government overreach in tech spaces.

As currently written, the bill would ban all VPNs in Michigan.

More at link

FWIW, Rep Shrivel… er, Schriver… has made it clear from past statements and actions that he wants to enshrine his christian nationalist opinions into the law.

[underpants]

1. Aside from the intrusion, how would teleworking be possible?

If I’m not at my desk I have to log into the VPN network on my laptop AT work. If I’m teleworking from home I have to do the same. I’d think state government operations like Transportation and police operate off VPN too.

[lostincalifornia]

2. F**K THEM. VPN has nothing to do with porn. It enhances your online security by masking your IP

address, making your data difficult to access by hackers and a government who has authoritative ambitions.

[RandomNumbers]

4. But, when have truth or facts ever mattered to these cretins?

If they think a particular narrative will help them achieve their goals, they will manipulate their supporters into believing it. Facts not required.

[johnnyfins]

3. These repugs are all about freedom, arent they?

Maybe they should ban themselves considering they have the most problems with child porn, touching, child rape, etc.

[Frasier Balzov]

5. Shriver represents Michigan House District 66.

He won re-election in 2024 with two-thirds of the vote against the Democrat's one-third.

Shriver will probably run for re-election again in 2026.

A Democrat needs to be on the ballot, but is likely to lose.

It would be nice if someone takes on this task.

[sdfernando]

6. Many companies use VPN for remote access

We used it at my previous company. It was the only option to securely connect to the network at the time. This is such a stupid idea.

[SWBTATTReg]

7. Do these idiots realize exactly how prevalent VPNs (virtual private networks) are in this Country? Just about

every decent data provider, etc. uses them, every carrier, a whole slew of people.

[Nigrum Cattus]

8. project 2025 again

they also want to ban "romance novels" as porn

[James48]

9. Well that will destroy business.

Gotta have VpN access for many business interactions. The