Are VPNs legal in the US?
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VPNs, or virtual private networks, provide an extra layer of security that can help keep your information safe when using the Internet. Given the growing concerns about user privacy over the past decade, it is not surprising that US VPN services are gaining in popularity every year.
The US is one of the largest markets for VPNs in the world, but potential users are not always sure if the technology is legal or not. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the legality of using a VPN in the US. Don’t forget to take a look at our guide to the best VPN services if you are looking for more information on the best providers.
VPNs are completely legal in the US
Before we get into the details, we have to make it clear that using a VPN in the US is completely legal. You will never get into the trouble of using VPN technology to secure your connection, and both governments and private organizations will find it difficult to track your activity.
Netflix, for example, tries to prevent users from using a VPN to access regionally blocked content. They are free to do so in any way (legal otherwise) they see fit, but their subscribers are equally free to get around these restrictions. Netflix can never report someone to law enforcement simply for using a VPN to view content that is not available in the US.
However, it’s worth knowing that these VPN uses often conflict with terms and conditions, so it’s worth the time to check any small print and assess the risks before you start watching unblocked content.
VPNs don’t make illegal activity legal
Using a VPN legally does not mean that you are immune from the law while using a VPN. While getting around Netflix’s content restrictions and keeping your daily browsing private isn’t a criminal offense, it’s clear that there are many different crimes you can commit online. A VPN will not protect you from prosecution if you are using it for something illegal.
Moreover, while VPNs offer a significant upgrade in security compared to a direct connection, they do not provide any kind of comprehensive protection from monitoring. While the content of your activity may be hidden, the government can easily see that you are using a VPN by contacting your ISP.
In addition, many VPNs that claim not to store user information have been caught providing this information in response to law enforcement requests – so we highly recommend signing up with an audited no-logs provider such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN to ensure nothing to hand should this happen .
In short, using a VPN is perfectly legal, but anything that might be illegal without a VPN would also be illegal with one.
Why would someone in the US want a VPN?
Besides accessing regionally restricted streaming content, VPNs have additional benefits depending on your use case. For example, if you frequently connect to the Internet on public Wi-Fi hotspots, a VPN will protect your traffic from third parties who may use the network to extract information.
Likewise, a VPN can help you get around other network-wide restrictions, such as those placed on work and school networks. Some people also use VPNs to transfer torrent files online anonymously, or just to protect their activity in general.
Congress repealed several privacy regulations on ISPs in 2017, making it easier for them to collect data without user consent. With this in mind, it is more important than ever for American internet users to connect to a VPN.
What VPN do we recommend for US users?
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