Michigan Republicans propose sweeping internet censorship bill
By bellecarter // 2025-09-23
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  • Michigan Republicans have proposed the "Anticorruption of Public Morals Act" (House Bill 4938), aiming to impose strict restrictions on online content, ban VPNs and criminalize the depiction of transgender individuals in most public contexts.
  • The bill demands that internet providers and platforms implement continuous surveillance to detect and remove content deemed "prohibited material," including erotic AI-generated content, sensual ASMR, pornographic manga and depictions of transgender individuals unless in strictly medical, instructional or academic contexts.
  • One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is the proposed ban on VPNs, making it illegal to sell or use them in Michigan.
  • The bill has drawn sharp criticism from free speech advocates and the artistic community, who argue that its broad language could stifle creativity and limit freedom of expression. The legislation applies to all individuals in the state, regardless of age or consent, raising concerns about government overreach and the erosion of privacy rights.
  • The debate over the bill highlights the tension between protecting public morals and preserving individual freedoms, with potential far-reaching implications for internet censorship, privacy rights and free speech in Michigan and beyond.
Michigan Republicans have introduced a bill that seeks to impose unprecedented restrictions on online content, ban the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and criminalize the depiction of transgender individuals in most public contexts. House Bill 4938, dubbed the "Anticorruption of Public Morals Act," was filed on Sept. 11 by Rep. Josh Schriver of Oxford and co-sponsored by five other Republican lawmakers. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for review. The proposed legislation marks one of the most expansive attempts at state-level internet censorship in the United States. It demands that internet providers and platforms implement round-the-clock surveillance systems to detect and remove a wide range of content deemed "prohibited material." This includes erotic AI-generated content, sensual ASMR audio, pornographic manga and any depiction of transgender individuals unless the context is strictly medical, instructional or academic and peer-reviewed. Schriver defended the bill by stating, "Don't make it, don't share it, don't view it," and called for porn distributors to be added to the sex offender registry. He argued that the bill is necessary to protect children and claimed that current obscenity laws are outdated and rarely enforced. The bill's language is notably broad, covering depictions of sexual acts, whether real or fictional, written or visual. It also specifically bans "moaning or sensual voice content" and "erotic autonomous sensory meridian response content." Violators could face up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for distributing such material, with penalties increasing to 25 years and $125,000 for over 100 instances.

The VPN ban: A threat to privacy and security

One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is its attack on VPN usage. House Bill 4938 would make it illegal to sell or use VPNs within Michigan and require internet providers to block any VPN activity. Fines for violations related to VPN use could reach $500,000. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, VPNs are widely used to secure online activity, prevent data collection and protect users on public Wi-Fi networks. Criminalizing this technology would have significant implications for both individuals and businesses. While enforcing a ban on VPNs would be technologically challenging, the bill's intent raises serious concerns about government overreach and the erosion of privacy rights. The bill's sweeping restrictions on online content have drawn sharp criticism from free speech advocates and members of the artistic community. The legislation makes no distinction between adults and minors, applying to everyone in the state regardless of age or consent. This gives the government sweeping authority to regulate personal viewing habits, artistic expression and the content people are allowed to publish or access online. The bill's language is so broad that it could potentially criminalize a wide range of content, from educational material to artistic works. Critics argue that it could stifle creativity and limit the ability of artists and writers to express themselves freely. As House Bill 4938 makes its way through the legislative process, it faces an uncertain future. The bill has not yet been voted on by the Michigan House or Senate and it remains to be seen whether it will garner enough support to become law. However, the proposal has already ignited a fierce debate over the balance between protecting public morals and preserving individual freedoms. The outcome of this debate will have far-reaching implications for the future of internet censorship, privacy rights and free speech in Michigan and beyond. As citizens and lawmakers grapple with these complex issues, the question remains: how do we protect our communities without sacrificing the fundamental rights that define our democracy? (Related: Nepal's failed censorship attempt ignites revolution as people refuse to be silenced.) Watch the video below that talks about internet censorship, grounding and raw foods. This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Social media giants face fines over "overzealous" censorship under Online Safety Act. U.K.'s Online Safety Act sparks outcry after X restricts access to protest footage. U.S. State Department slams EU's Digital Services Act as "Orwellian censorship."

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org LegiScan.com Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com
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