What the New RESTRICT Act (S. 686) Means for Using a VPN
If you are a fan of TikTok, you might have heard about the RESTRICT Act (S. 686), a proposed bill that could ban the popular video platform in the United States. But did you know that this bill could also affect your use of VPNs and other online tools? In this article, we will explain what the RESTRICT Act is, how it could impact VPNs, and what you can do to protect your online privacy and security.
What is the RESTRICT Act (S. 686)?
The RESTRICT Act (S. 686) stands for Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act. It was introduced by Senators Mark Warner and John Thune on March 7, 2023, as a bipartisan legislation to protect national security and digital economy.
The bill aims to give the Department of Commerce the power to identify and take action against any information and communication technology products and services (ICTs) that pose an undue or unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety of U.S. persons. These ICTs could include apps, websites, software, hardware, or services that are owned, controlled, or influenced by foreign adversaries.
The bill does not specifically mention TikTok or any other app or service, but it is widely seen as a response to the growing concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership and potential data collection practices. The bill would give the President the authority to compel divestment of or otherwise mitigate the risk associated with any ICTs that are deemed a threat.
What are VPNs and how do they work?
VPNs stand for virtual private networks, and they are online tools that help you encrypt and route your internet traffic through a secure server in another location. By using a VPN, you can hide your IP address, location, and online activity from your internet service provider (ISP), government agencies, hackers, or anyone else who might want to spy on you.
VPNs are popular for many reasons. Some people use them to access geo-restricted content, such as streaming services or websites that are blocked in their country. Others use them to bypass internet censorship, such as in countries that restrict access to social media platforms or news outlets. Individuals using public Wi-Fi networks or untrusted devices often use them to protect their online privacy and security.
There are many VPN providers available in the market, offering different features, prices, and levels of quality. Some of the most well-known VPN providers include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and IPVanish. VPN users include individuals who value their online freedom and anonymity, as well as organizations such as journalists, activists, and human rights defenders who use VPNs to protect their sources and communications.
How could the RESTRICT Act (S. 686) affect VPNs?
The RESTRICT Act (S. 686) could affect VPNs in several ways:
- It could ban or restrict any VPNs that are owned or controlled by foreign adversaries, such as China or Russia. This could include some of the popular VPN providers that have servers or headquarters in these countries. If you use such a VPN, you might not be able to access it anymore or face legal consequences if you do.
- It could ban or restrict any VPNs that are used to access banned or restricted apps or services, such as TikTok. This could include any VPNs that allow you to change your location to another country where TikTok is not banned. If you use such a VPN to access TikTok after it is banned in the U.S., you might be violating the law and risking fines, penalties, or even jail time.
- It could ban or restrict any VPNs that are deemed a security threat by the government. This could include any VPNs that have poor encryption standards, leak user data, cooperate with foreign governments or entities, or engage in malicious activities. If you use such a VPN, you might be exposing yourself to surveillance, hacking, identity theft, or worse.
What are the potential consequences of the RESTRICT Act (S. 686) for VPN users?
The potential consequences of the RESTRICT Act (S. 686) for VPN users are serious and far-reaching. Not only could you lose access to your favorite VPN provider or app, but you could also face legal troubles if you violate the act. According to the bill, anyone who knowingly engages in a prohibited transaction or holding under the act could be fined up to $1 million or imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both. Anyone who negligently engages in such a transaction or holding could be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned for up to 5 years, or both.
The RESTRICT Act (S. 686) could also have negative impacts on free speech, human rights, and digital rights in several ways:
- By giving the government the power to ban or restrict any ICTs that it deems a threat, the act could undermine the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens to access and share information online.
- By exposing VPN users to monitoring and repression, the act could endanger the lives and livelihoods of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders who rely on VPNs to protect their sources and communications.
- By creating a chilling effect on online expression and innovation, the act could broadly harm the U.S. digital economy and democracy.
What can you do to protect your online privacy and security?
The RESTRICT Act (S. 686) is still a proposed bill and has not been passed yet. However, it has gained bipartisan support and momentum in Congress, so it could become a law in the near future. If you are a VPN user or care about your online privacy and security, here are some things you can do to protect yourself:
- Stay informed about the bill’s progress and updates. You can follow the bill’s status on Congress.gov or sign up for alerts from digital rights organizations such as EFF or Access Now.
- Choose reputable and trustworthy VPN providers that have strong encryption standards, no-logs policies, independent audits, and transparent practices.
- Advocate for your rights to use VPNs without fear of prosecution. You can contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to oppose the RESTRICT Act (S. 686) or support real privacy legislation that will protect your data no matter what platform it’s on. You can also join campaigns and petitions from groups such as Fight for the Future , OpenMedia , or Demand Progress.
Conclusion
The RESTRICT Act (S. 686) is a bill that could ban or restrict VPNs and other ICTs that pose a risk to national security or Americans’ security and safety. The bill could affect VPNs that are owned or controlled by foreign adversaries, used to access banned apps or services, or deemed a security threat by the government. The bill could have serious consequences for VPN users, such as fines, penalties, jail time, surveillance, censorship, and repression. The bill could also have negative impacts on free speech, human rights, and digital rights.
The RESTRICT Act (S. 686) is still a proposed bill and has not been passed yet. However, it is important for VPN users and online privacy advocates to stay informed about the bill’s progress and take action to protect their rights. VPN users should choose reputable and trustworthy VPN providers and advocate for real privacy legislation that will protect their data no matter what platform it’s on.
References
- Warner-Thune Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect National Security & Digital Economy | U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia. (2023). Retrieved March 30 , 2023 , from https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/3/warner-thune-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-national-security-and-digital-economy
- What Is a VPN , and Why You Need One | PCMag. (2020). Retrieved March 30 , 2023 , from https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-is-a-vpn-and-why-you-need-one
- Could the RESTRICT Act Criminalize the Use of VPNs? – Reason.com. (2023). Retrieved March 30 , 2023 , from https://reason.com/2023/03/29/could-the-restrict-act-criminalize-the-use-of-vpns/
- The ‘Insanely Broad’ RESTRICT Act Could Ban Much More Than Just TikTok | VICE News. (2023). Retrieved March 30 , 2023 , from https://www.vice.com/en/article/4a3ddb/restrict-act-insanely-broad-ban-tiktok-vpns
- Stop the RESTRICT Act and Pass Real Privacy Legislation | EFF Action Center. (n.d.). Retrieved March 30 , 2023 , from https://act.eff.org/action/stop-the-restrict-act-and-pass-real-privacy-legislation
