EU regulators are pushing for age verification systems and explicitly calling VPN use a regulatory loophole that needs to be closed — this is real and confirmed by multiple tech outlets. Utah already passed SB 73 making it the first US state to target VPN usage in age verification systems, setting a precedent other jurisdictions may follow. Privacy advocates argue these laws create unworkable technical requirements and undermine anonymity protections, while child-safety groups say VPN circumvention of age gates requires regulatory response — this is a genuine policy conflict with no obvious technical solution.