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LANSING, Mich. — Michigan lawmakers are weighing a controversial proposal that would not only target pornography online but also ban the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and other digital tools commonly used for online privacy and security.
House Bill 4938, introduced by far-right Republican Rep. Josh Schriver and co-sponsors, is being called the Anti-Corruption of Public Morals Act. The measure seeks to criminalize the distribution of pornography online while also restricting access to what it terms “circumvention tools.”
According to the bill, “circumvention tools” include “any software, hardware, or service designed to bypass internet filtering mechanisms or content restrictions, including virtual private networks, proxy servers, and encrypted tunneling methods to evade content restrictions.”
Critics argue the legislation would have sweeping consequences far beyond adult content, affecting millions of Michiganders who rely on VPNs for privacy, data protection, and remote work. Businesses, schools, journalists, and everyday internet users often employ VPNs to safeguard sensitive information.
“It’s shameful and a complete waste of tax dollars for such a proposal, and if need be, I will appear before the Michigan legislature to oppose this insanity,” said Corey Silverstein, a Michigan-based attorney who represents adult entertainment businesses.
The proposal echoes efforts in other states where lawmakers have pushed for strict online age-verification laws and broader restrictions on adult content. In practice, however, attempts to regulate VPNs at the state level have typically failed, given that they are widely used for legitimate purposes and are protected under federal laws governing commerce and internet access.
For now, legal observers say the chances of HB 4938 becoming law remain slim. Even if it were to advance, any attempt to ban VPNs would likely face immediate constitutional challenges in court.
