Advisory: VPN Day of Action 9/25 – Don’t Ban VPNs!
Fight for the Future, a queer women and artist led nonprofit that fights against online censorship and surveillance, is organizing a Defend VPNs Day of Action on Thursday, September 25, 2025. People the world over will be invited to use our tools to sign a petition, and, for US participants, to call their members of Congress.
This day of action comes as VPN usage has soared in response to adoption of ID check laws in places like Britain and Mississippi. These policies act to either censor online communities and knowledge for those deemed too young or those unwilling to submit their government documents and/or biometrics in order to access online content. The massive increase in VPN usage has led some politicians to join regimes like Russia in considering banning VPNs.
Lia Holland (they/she), Campaigns and Communications Director at Fight for the Future, said: “VPNs are a crucial online privacy and safety tool that allow people living under authoritarian regimes and with 19th century privacy laws to circumvent censorship and surveillance. While we shouldn’t need VPNs in the first place, they’re important harm reduction for everyone today. We all deserve to access online community as well as knowledge and culture without worrying we will be punished or discriminated against for our activities. Reputable VPNs have become an essential tool that support everyday people in exercising their basic human rights—but amid a moral panic, ignorant ‘save-the-children’ politicians are getting very close to kicking the hornets nest of millions of people who know how important VPNs are. The buzzing they’ll hear on Sept 25th? That’ll be their last warning to leave VPNs alone.”