A contentious bill currently making its way through the Wisconsin legislature is drawing sharp criticism from digital rights advocates who warn it could effectively ban VPN access for residents and lead to widespread censorship. Senate Bill 130 (S.B. 130) / Assembly Bill 105 (A.B. 105) aims to require age verification for websites hosting content deemed “sexual,” but the method for achieving that goal has sparked alarm over privacy and free speech implications.
The legislation, which recently passed the State Assembly and is scheduled for a Senate vote, would compel websites to block users connecting via Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). This requirement, critics argue, is not only technically unworkable but also undermines a crucial tool used by a diverse range of individuals for security and privacy. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has described the bill as “a spectacularly poor idea,” urging lawmakers to reject it.
VPNs are commonly used by businesses, journalists, activists, and individuals seeking to protect their online activity from surveillance. They encrypt internet traffic and mask a user’s IP address, providing a layer of security and anonymity. Blocking VPN access, the EFF argues, would disproportionately impact those who rely on these tools for legitimate purposes.
One of the core concerns is the technical difficulty of enforcing the law. According to the EFF, websites would struggle to reliably determine whether a VPN user is located in Wisconsin, another state, or even another country. To avoid potential liability, websites may be forced to over-block IP addresses associated with VPNs, potentially denying access to legitimate users, or implement nationwide restrictions.
Broadening the Definition of “Harmful to Minors”
Beyond the VPN ban, S.B. 130 / A.B. 105 raises concerns about the scope of what constitutes “harmful to minors.” The ACLU of Wisconsin points out that the bill expands this definition far beyond the narrow categories historically recognized by courts, which typically focus on explicit adult sexual materials. Instead, the proposed legislation could encompass content that merely describes sex or depicts human anatomy, potentially leading to over-censorship and chilling lawful speech.
The bill also mandates invasive age verification methods, potentially requiring users to submit government-issued identification, biometric data, or financial information to access websites. This data collection raises significant privacy concerns and could expose individuals to data breaches and misuse. As the EFF letter to the Wisconsin Legislature states, this combination of mass data collection and vague speech restrictions “is a recipe for over-censorship, data breaches, and constitutional overreach.”
Technical Challenges and Privacy Risks
The EFF highlights the impracticality of the bill’s requirements, noting that accurately identifying VPN users’ locations is a significant technical hurdle. Websites would face a difficult choice: over-blocking, blocking all Wisconsin users, or implementing nationwide restrictions to avoid liability. This approach could severely limit access to information for residents and create a fragmented internet experience.
The ACLU of Wisconsin further details the potential age verification methods, including uploading government IDs, participating in video calls to verify identity, or providing credit card information for age assessment. These methods raise serious privacy concerns and could create barriers to access for individuals without government identification or those concerned about data security.
Legislative Status and Next Steps
S.B. 130 was introduced in the Wisconsin Senate on March 14, 2025, by Senators Wanggaard, Feyen, Jacque, and Nass, with several representatives as cosponsors. A public hearing was held on October 8, 2025, and the bill passed through the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families on November 12, 2025, with a vote of 3 to 2. Representative Ortiz-Velez was added as a cosponsor on February 13, 2026. You can find the full text of the bill and its legislative history on the Wisconsin State Legislature website: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb130. Assembly Bill 105 mirrors the provisions of S.B. 130.
As the bill heads to a vote in the State Senate, digital rights advocates are urging Wisconsin residents to contact their senators and voice their opposition. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between protecting minors online and safeguarding fundamental rights to privacy and free speech. The outcome of this vote will likely set a precedent for similar legislation in other states, making it a critical moment for internet freedom advocates.
What happens next will depend on the Senate vote. If passed, the bill will move to the Governor for consideration. Regardless of the outcome, this legislation underscores the need for a careful and nuanced approach to online safety that respects both the rights of children and the principles of a free and open internet.
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