BIC:
A bill dubbed the ‘RESTRICT’ act that was submitted to Congress could have severe consequences for virtual private network (VPN) users in the United States.
U.S. lawmakers are widening their sights when it comes to cracking down on finance and technology.
The bipartisan “Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT)” act was unveiled in early March.
It was initially dubbed the “TikTok Ban Bill,” but has far wider ramifications. Furthermore, VPN users could face hefty fines or jail sentences under the bill.
Communications and VPN Tech Targeted
People often legitimately use VPN (virtual private network) services to add an extra layer of security for web communications. Furthermore, they allow users to mask or change their internet address. This is often required to access content that may otherwise be blocked or censored.
The bill, if passed, would attempt to identify “information and communications technology products and services holdings that pose undue or unacceptable risks.”
This could include VPNs if they are used to access banned websites such as TikTok. MORE
SNIP: The feds can still find you even if you use VPN, by the way.
I use VPN’s for various social media because I am always in the naughty corner and end up banned. The VPN is for creating new accounts.
I see VPN as another shiny object. I’m certain that there is no privacy from any modern technology. Cameras everywhere and if you have any plastic in your purse or wallet you’re sending signals to be read anywhere you go.
A VPN is a prerequisite to using The Onion Router to access the Dark Web. There are also virtual operating systems that can be used so Windows and Apple can’t track you. Open source encryption programs are available. As long as you are extremely paranoid you can achieve a modicum of privacy.
Before I retired I worked for Visa, and for those of us working remotely, a VPN was mandated, no exceptions. And it wasn’t as though I could simply start working at the office again because I was full-time out-of-area remote connecting to California from Florida.
I still use my VPN for those activities where security is especially important, e.g. online banking, accessing stock broker account, communicating with medical systems and people.
VPN is a TOOL. A very USEFUL tool. Banning it would be akin to banning vise grips, socket wrenches, screw drivers, and AR-15s.
I don’t have access to the interwebz … sumptin ado with white privilege …
Figures, as I just built a thin client into a sonarr and radarr top box.Everyone uses a VPN with this setup. Before, I would feel a little weird downloading movies and tv shows, but now, I don’t give a damn anymore. If this world is going to continue turning to shit, at least let me enjoy watching free movies and tv series from the 1930’s-70’s.
This bill is a thuggish attempt to control every facet of our lives. It needs to be destroyed, not considered in any form. TikTok is just the sales pitch.
GoDaddy swears that they are not blocking our office’s IP address from accessing their server (which hosts OUR website), but our office is the only place on earth from which we can’t access our own website. The only way I can use our own website from our office is by using a VPN to change our public IP address.
So I’m going to do time just for trying to access the business website I made?
Just like the Austrians in the late 1930s, one day we’re going to wake up and find ourselves enslaved. Just like that.
“God said there’s a good reason Bi-partisan and Bad start with b! Generally Bi-partisan means BAD!”, RONY – MANY, MANY TIMES.
RONNY WAS RIGHT!
RESTRICT proves ronny is still right!
They’ll soon be coming for TOR ….
Dumb Bunnies ain’t so dumb. Grab a copy of Tails while you still can, and don’t use it on your home network, free wifi is everywhere.
Wanna bet most of the reps never got past reading “Tik Tok ban”?