Michigan Proposes House Bill to Ban Online Pornography and VPNs

News Summary

A new legislation, House Bill 4938, introduced in Michigan aims to ban online pornography and impose heavy penalties for its distribution. State Rep. Josh Schriver’s bill, also referred to as the ‘Anticorruption of Public Morals Act’, seeks to prohibit the use of VPNs, which raises concerns among privacy advocates. Despite gaining Republican cosponsors, the bill faces limited support in the Legislature, potentially making Michigan the first state to officially ban VPN usage, while also targeting content related to LGBTQ+ individuals.

Lansing, Michigan – A new piece of legislation, House Bill 4938, aims to ban online pornography in Michigan and impose substantial penalties on violators. Introduced by state Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford), the bill, titled the “Anticorruption of Public Morals Act,” proposes punishments of up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $100,000 for individuals found distributing pornography online. Furthermore, the bill seeks to prohibit the use of software circumvention tools, including virtual private networks (VPNs), which are commonly utilized to access restricted content online.

The implications of this legislation are considerable, as internet providers that facilitate access to pornography could face fines as high as $500,000 for each violation. VPNs, which create encrypted connections to ensure user privacy and security while allowing individuals to bypass geolocation blocks and online firewalls, are also targeted by this legislation. The potential ban on VPN usage has raised concerns among privacy advocates, as approximately 43% of U.S. adults reportedly use these tools, according to a September survey by CNET.

While the bill has garnered five Republican cosponsors, it is facing limited overall support and is unlikely to progress through the Legislature. If enacted, Michigan would become the first state in the United States to officially ban VPN usage. The proposed legislation has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, but it remains uncertain if it will be given a hearing.

Targeting Content and Privacy

In addition to banning online pornography, House Bill 4938 specifically targets the depiction of transgender individuals in online media, prompting criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates who argue that the bill reflects a troubling trend towards anti-LGBTQ+ legislation within the state. Furthermore, the bill’s broad definition of “pornography” raises concerns, as it could encompass various types of content, including literature, video games, and any media with sexual themes.

As part of the enforcement mechanism, internet providers would be mandated to monitor and actively block known circumvention tools, including VPNs, leading to further concerns from civil rights advocates regarding user privacy and internet freedom. Legal experts have indicated that the provisions of this bill may infringe upon First Amendment rights, suggesting that it strives to impose restrictions based on outdated standards of obscenity.

Context of VPN Usage in the U.S. and Beyond

The proposed legislation finds itself amid a complex landscape regarding the legality of VPNs around the world. While VPNs remain legal across most of the United States, various restrictions are noted in countries like Belarus and Iran. The increasing focus on privacy and technology governance makes the implications of this bill and its potential enforcement a matter of significant concern for advocates aiming to protect online freedoms.

As such, the proposal to heavily regulate online content and restrict access via VPNs opens up a critical discussion about the balance between policing online morality and upholding individual rights to privacy and expression. While amendments to the bill may be considered in the future to refine its focus on eradicating pornography, the specifics have not been publicly disclosed yet, leaving many to speculate the potential outcomes of this legislative effort.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Detroit Free Press: Proposed VPN Ban in Michigan
• Reason: Michigan Anti-Porn Bill Overview
• Hindustan Times: Anti-Corruption of Public Morals Act in Michigan
• Wikipedia: VPN
• Google Search: Michigan Anti-Porn Law 2025