Wisconsin Drops VPN Ban, But the Fight Isn't Over
A proposed VPN ban in Wisconsin has been pulled from legislation after a wave of public opposition, marking a meaningful win for digital rights advocates. But the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging supporters not to celebrate too soon. The broader bill, Senate Bill 130 / Assembly Bill 105, is still moving forward, and the EFF is calling on Governor Tony Evers to veto it entirely.
This episode is a clear reminder that access to privacy tools like VPNs is not guaranteed, and that legislative threats to those tools can appear with little warning.
What Was in the Bill?
Senate Bill 130 and its companion Assembly Bill 105 contained a provision that would have effectively banned VPN services in Wisconsin. The specifics of the broader bill have not been fully detailed in public reporting, but the VPN restriction drew immediate and significant backlash from privacy advocates, civil liberties organizations, and everyday internet users.
The EFF, one of the most prominent digital rights organizations in the United States, pushed back hard against the provision. Their argument is straightforward: VPNs are legitimate privacy tools used by millions of people, including journalists, activists, remote workers, and ordinary individuals who simply want to keep their browsing private. Banning them would not only be ineffective as a policy measure but would actively harm people who depend on them.
Following the public pressure, Wisconsin lawmakers removed the VPN ban from the bill. That is a direct result of people paying attention and speaking up.
Why VPN Bans Are a Bad Idea
The EFF's position, referenced in their reporting on this issue, is clear: VPN bans are a terrible idea, full stop. It is not hard to understand why.
VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address, giving you a layer of privacy that is difficult to achieve any other way. For people living under restrictive regimes or navigating sensitive personal situations, that protection is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Even in democratic countries, VPNs serve a critical function in protecting users from surveillance, data harvesting by ISPs, and exposure on public networks.
Banning VPNs does not make the internet safer. It makes it less private. And less privacy does not benefit ordinary users; it benefits those who want to monitor, track, or control what people do online.
Legislative attempts to restrict VPNs often emerge from broader efforts to regulate internet access, frequently under the justification of protecting users from harmful content. Whatever the stated goal, the effect is the same: fewer tools available to people who want to protect themselves online. [Learn more about how VPN encryption works and why it matters for your privacy.]
What This Means For You
If you live in Wisconsin, this is good news, but it is not the end of the story. The EFF continues to oppose Senate Bill 130 / Assembly Bill 105 in its current form and has urged Governor Evers to veto the bill. That means the legislative process is still active, and the outcome is not yet final.
More broadly, this situation is a useful reminder for internet users everywhere. Legislation that restricts privacy tools can emerge at the state level, not just federally, and it can move quickly. The VPN provision in this bill was removed because enough people noticed and objected. That outcome is not automatic; it requires attention and engagement.
For anyone who uses a VPN regularly, whether for privacy, security, or accessing content while traveling, the lesson here is that these tools are worth defending. Following organizations like the EFF and staying informed about legislation in your state is one of the most practical things you can do. [Understanding your rights around internet privacy is a good place to start.]
A Win Worth Acknowledging, With Eyes Open
The removal of the VPN ban from Wisconsin's Senate Bill 130 is a genuine victory for digital rights, and it happened because of public pressure. That matters. It demonstrates that advocacy works and that lawmakers do respond when constituents make their voices heard.
But the EFF's continued opposition to the bill as a whole is a signal that the work is not done. Protecting internet freedom is an ongoing effort, not a single battle.
At hide.me, we believe that access to privacy tools is a fundamental part of internet freedom. A VPN should be a choice anyone can make, not a right that has to be defended from legislation every few months. If you are not already using a VPN to protect your connection, now is a good time to start. hide.me offers strong encryption and a strict no-logs policy, so your activity stays yours.