Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

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In recent months, politicians at both state and national levels have been trying to pass or passing age verification for sites, especially in regards to social networks and sites dealing with human sexuality. While current laws are targeting social media and pornographic websites, it is not hard to see how these laws can be used to prevent people from learning about healthy human sexuality, abortion access, and whatever anti-choice lawmakers believe to be a threat to children at the time. With continuous data breaches and privacy scandals at both government and private sector levels, it is easy to see how one’s most intimate internet history may be used to prosecute those seeking abortion, trans healthcare, donations, or even simple factual information. One bill in the works, KOSA, is currently in the United States Congress, and threatens to strip Americans of their privacy in the name of children. It is worth mentioning that children will still be able to bypass these restrictions with fake IDs, older people assisting them, or other means. It will merely be more complex than simply checking a box and a white lie. This age verification would be at the expense of online privacy for all individuals, and could even threaten the children it seeks to protect by allowing attorney generals to ban information about the LGBTQ+ community, abortion, racial discrimination, or whatever is considered harmful. While as an American, it is vital you contact your congressional representatives and tell them to vote against KOSA as it currently stands for the safety of both children and adults in the long term, it is also time to start using a virtual private network (VPN).

VPNs act as a privacy shield that allows users to browse the internet and enter sites anonymously. It can be used as a bypass to censorship, and also protect your own privacy data to avoid future prosecution. Why is this important? If age verification were to pass, and you were required to enter your age with your ID on certain sites, data may be leaked or handled improperly; it may also be subpoenaed by anti-choice legislatures. For instance, it is not hard to see a situation where internet history is used to prosecute those for obtaining or helping someone obtain an abortion, for arresting members of the LGBTQ+ community, or anything else that an attorney general may decide to prosecute on a whim. While we need to advocate to make sure that such laws do not pass, we also need to prepare in case they do. VPNs are a part of personal hygiene.

However, it is worth noting that not all VPNs are created equal. As of 2023, these are just some recommended and tested VPNs. There are also free VPNs, but it is important to do your research to make sure they are not leaking your data, or malware. There is a guide to test if your VPN is leaking here. Having a VPN is just another level of internet safety, and could help in the future should draconian surveillance laws pass at state or national levels. It won’t just protect your reproductive rights, but will also protect other parts of your online life.

Additionally, for a more private way to track your reproductive health, and additional private information, consider downloading Euki, the private reproductive health app. Also consider contacting your representatives to take a stand against online surveillance and censorship. For more information on self managed abortion, please visit abortionpillinfo.org or our Facebook.