Digital Rights on The Coders Blog

Digital Clampdown: Utah Poised to Ban VPNs

Tue, 05 May 2026 15:15:47 +0000

The digital world just got a lot smaller, and not in a good way. Utah’s Senate Bill 73 (SB 73), set to take effect in May 2026, is poised to fundamentally alter how websites operate for users within the state, effectively attempting to dismantle the privacy protections offered by Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). This isn’t about sensible regulation; it’s a digital clampdown masquerading as an effort to protect minors, and it’s technically unworkable and deeply concerning for digital liberties.

Digital Clampdown: Utah Poised to Ban VPNs

Tue, 05 May 2026 15:15:47 +0000

The NHS England Code Debacle: Why Public Money Demands Open Source [2026]

Fri, 01 May 2026 16:05:20 +0000

In December 2025, NHS England quietly scrubbed its open-source policy pages; by May 1, 2026, an open letter decried this stealthy reversal, exposing a profound betrayal of public trust and technological progress. This isn’t a mere administrative oversight; it’s a calculated retreat from principles that underpin effective, accountable public sector technology.

The ramifications of this decision extend far beyond a few broken links. It sets a dangerous precedent, undermining years of advocacy for transparency and collaboration within vital public services. We stand at a critical juncture where the very ethos of public money funding public good is being challenged by opaque corporate interests.