US bill threatens to turn your VPN into a piracy blocklist
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
The American Copyright Protection Act (H.R. 10364), introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa on Sept. 16, 2026, would require VPN providers to block access to sites designated as foreign piracy platforms. The bill creates a fast‑track judicial process allowing copyright holders to obtain blocking orders with a preponderance‑of‑evidence standard, after which providers have 14 days to object before the order takes effect. Although the legislation also names broadband and DNS services, it specifically targets reputable, paid VPNs, leaving free services largely untouched, according to NordVPN privacy advocate Laura Tyrylyte. Critics say the measure undermines due‑process protections, First Amendment rights, and the core privacy promise of VPNs. Digital‑rights groups such as Public Knowledge and Re:Create have condemned the proposal as an unprecedented censorship tool.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Turning VPNs into enforcement points could strip users of a key shield against surveillance and censorship, reshaping online privacy norms.
