The US Congress is currently considering a bill known as the “Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT)” act. While it was initially called the “TikTok Ban Bill,” its implications reach far beyond social media platforms. In fact, this new legislation could have significant consequences for Virtual Private Network (VPN) users in the United States.
VPNs are often used for legitimate purposes, such as enhancing web communication security and allowing users to mask or change their internet addresses to access blocked or censored content. However, the RESTRICT act aims to identify “information and communications technology products and services holdings that pose undue or unacceptable risks,” which could include VPNs if they are used to access banned websites like TikTok.
The bill directs the Secretary of Commerce to manage national security risks associated with technology connected to countries adversarial to the US. It also includes a list of communication technologies that will be scrutinized, such as web hosting, cloud services, content delivery services, drones, payment applications, gaming applications, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce.
One of the most significant concerns surrounding the RESTRICT act is the potential punishment for violators. Those found in violation could face fines of up to $1 million, 20 years in jail, or both.
Despite the criticism, lawmakers are moving forward with the bill. If it becomes law, the US government will have sweeping powers to crack down on any technologies and services it perceives as a threat, including VPN technology. Critics argue that the bill would give the state the power to police the entire internet and all platforms on it. Some have compared the legislation to the strict internet censorship found in countries like China.
As the RESTRICT act continues to make its way through Congress, it’s essential for VPN users and anyone involved in the technology sector to stay informed about the potential consequences of this legislation. The future of internet freedom and privacy could depend on it
