Your kids can't watch cartoons now because of Utah
So here's the thing about Utah — we're always, always trying to legislate morality. It’s part of the landscape here, like the inversions and the Great Salt Lake shrinking. But even for us, this new law about adult content websites and VPNs, which just went into effect, feels like something else entirely. It’s supposed to be about age verification, but the ripple effects are, well, pretty wild.
Let me explain what's actually happening here. This isn't just about blocking access to adult sites for minors. The language is so broad, it’s forcing these companies to implement technology that many experts say is either impossible to do accurately or will compromise *everyone's* online privacy. And if these sites can't comply with Utah's rules, the easy fix for them is just to block Utah IP addresses entirely. Which, yeah, no, that means folks in Salt Lake City might just find a lot of the internet suddenly unavailable, regardless of what they're trying to access.
* **Your Privacy:** The age verification methods being pushed are often invasive, requiring government IDs or facial scans. This isn't just for adult content; it sets a precedent. * **The VPN Crackdown:** The law also targets VPNs, which a lot of us use for basic online security and privacy, not just to get around content filters. * **Collateral Damage:** Think about it — if a website with *any* adult-oriented content, even just an R-rated movie review, decides it can't comply with Utah's verification, it might just block all Utah users.
It’s one thing to want to protect kids, and who doesn't? But when it means potentially crippling internet access for everyone in the valley, from Sugar House to Herriman, and forcing tech companies to collect even more of our personal data, that's where it gets complicated. It's the Crossroads, friends — greatest snow on earth and the weirdest liquor laws, and apparently, the weirdest internet laws too.
That’s the Buzz for today. My pals over at the Morning Wire dive into the truly strange stuff happening here every day. Catch 'em live at mornings.live.