Are VPNs legal in China?
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VPN technology is growing in popularity thanks to its ability to enable anonymous browsing and improve privacy. The best VPN service providers also allow users to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that is normally blocked – such as the version of Netflix that is only available in some jurisdictions.
One of the largest VPN technology markets is in China. The country has some of the strictest internet laws in the world, but a good Chinese VPN will help you get around them. However, many people are unsure if the technology is legal in the country. In this article, we investigate current rules and regulations.
VPNs are legal in China — sometimes
Unfortunately, the legality of VPNs in China is far from clear. What we do know for sure is that the technology itself is not illegal. VPNs are commonly used by companies and the state to access international websites for institutional and political purposes. So now to use the technology, you technically need an official license.
Using a VPN to circumvent China’s internet restrictions and access blocked websites without a license is illegal. This offense is punishable by a fine, but so far, no foreign visitor has received a single one. Moreover, VPN use in China is rampant, with more than 30% of Chinese internet users connecting to a VPN.
However, there are potential risks, and you should be aware of them before deciding whether to use a VPN in the country. It is never advisable to break the law in any country, so in addition to reading this article, we suggest doing more research as well, in case anything changes.
One thing is for sure, though: VPN protection does not give you a license to commit illegal acts, so be sure to use your discretion while browsing.
Buy before you travel
If you are Act Want to use a VPN in China, beware that you probably won’t be able to download the software once you are in the country. Today, when you are browsing an app store from China, you are unlikely to find a VPN service, and accessing the website of the VPN provider will also be impossible.
For this reason, you will need to register and download your VPN before visiting the country. Remember that you will need to have it installed on all the devices you want to use, so if you intend to browse restricted content on the go, don’t forget to install both the mobile and desktop version of your chosen VPN.
Why would someone in China want a VPN?
China has some of the strictest internet censorship laws in the world. Known as the Great Firewall, its protocols make it impossible to access popular websites like Facebook, Google, YouTube and many more.
This mass censorship makes it difficult to access the information you want from the Internet. This could be news from home, accessing your favorite streaming site, downloading a useful app not available through a normal internet connection, or just searching for something on Google.
Another factor that may influence your decision to get a VPN before visiting China is the added security and privacy. Internet activity is closely monitored in China, so if you want to maintain your privacy, a VPN will help you do so.
If streaming is a major concern for you, make sure you choose the right streaming VPN for the job, as many VPN providers claim to enable you to access sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, but they fail to do so. Other users may want to torrent, in which case you may want to use the best torrenting VPN you can find.
What VPN do we recommend for users in China?
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