Where are VPNs legal and illegal/prohibited? Check by country
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Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are becoming increasingly popular all over the world. Since it encrypts internet traffic and hides the user’s IP address, it is ideal for unblocking content and improving privacy. Of course, although they offer positive aspects to users, not everyone will be pleased with the widespread use of VPNs. In fact, they have endured their fair share of controversy.
VPNs are used for a number of reasons. They may be used by companies that wish to enhance information security or by individuals and families to protect their privacy online. Additionally, the nature of VPNs means that they can be used to unblock geo-restricted websites. A VPN is useful for traveling abroad in countries where social media sites like SnapChat, Instagram, and Facebook are blocked. This also means that they can provide access to geo-referenced versions of streaming sites such as Netflix.
While VPNs can offer a large number of perks, people often hesitate due to concerns that their use may not be legal. However, they are mostly completely legal and safe to use. We say mostly because some countries have restricted the use of VPNs, by making the provision of these services illegal, blocking VPN providers websites, or other restrictive means.
Although quite a few countries have taken a stand against VPNs, it is likely only a matter of time before more follow suit. Restricting VPN access often goes hand in hand with heavy government censorship, such as in China and Russia. Therefore, observing each government’s general approach to protecting the digital rights of its citizens can provide clues as to what we may see in the future.
In this article, we will reveal each country’s stance on VPN use. For each one, we will also provide an overview of censorship or restrictions imposed by the government or other parties on the Internet.
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Afghanistan ✔
In Afghanistan, although internet users are a small part of the population, VPNs are popular among them, in part because many websites are blocked. Although the government is strict when it comes to sites like those related to gambling and alcohol, the use of VPNs is legal.
Albania ✔
Albania’s constitution protects citizens’ freedom of expression and the press. The internet in Albania is not censored by the government and VPNs are legal in the country. Recently an Albanian domain registrar made the news to block a controversial neo-Nazi website, but there was no indication that the government was involved and this was purely a decision of the company.
Algeria ✔
Algeria has a history of blocking government websites, including sites with political content and social media sites. In addition, ISPs are required to monitor online content and residents can face criminal charges for posting or allowing certain content to be published. Despite this, VPNs are legal in Algeria.
Andorra ✔
According to the 2016 Andorra Human Rights Report, “the government has not restricted or disrupted internet access or monitored internet content, and there have been no credible reports that the government monitors private online communications without appropriate legal authority.” Andorra gives its citizens uncensored use of the internet and there is no ban on VPNs.
Angola ✔
The use of VPNs is legal in Angola, although the country has a history of Internet censorship. In November 2016, the Angolan president announced a crackdown on social media. Controversial passed Press Law Which many argue poses a serious threat to freedom of expression.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ✔
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda can enjoy unrestricted use of the internet and there is no ban on using VPN.
Argentina ✔
Using VPNs in Argentina is legal and a good selection of VPNs offer Argentine servers. Although there have been proposed laws to allow censorship on the Internet, they have not yet been put into effect.
Armenia ✔
Using a VPN is legal in Armenia, but there are concerns about internet filtering. There were also reports of some websites being blocked by the government during times of political turmoil.
Aruba ✔
Aruba citizens can use the internet without restrictions, and VPNs are legal in the country.
Australia ✔
Although you might consider Australia a less strict country in terms of censorship, its government is actually allowed to block access to certain sites, including those used for torrenting activities. Additionally, carriers are required to record user data, such as email and location metadata. As such, VPNs are becoming increasingly popular in the country, and they are indeed legal.
Austria ✔
VPN use in Austria is legal, and its constitution guarantees the protection of citizens’ freedom of expression and the press.
Azerbaijan ✔
It is known that the Azerbaijani government arrests and punishes activists. They also implement censorship on the Internet, including social media sites and independent news outlets. Despite this, there are no reports that VPN use has become illegal.
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Bahamas, ✔
VPNs are legal in the Bahamas. However, there were reports of the government attempting to impose censorship.
Bahrain ✔
VPNs are legal in Bahrain although there is internet censorship in the country. Last year, the government centralized its restrictive powers under the supervision of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). This means that the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has complete control over the website blocking system that all telecom companies must use.
Bangladesh ✔
Using VPNs in Bangladesh is legal. However, the country’s government has in the past banned certain websites including social media sites like Facebook. It is also known to shut down the Internet completely, both “by mistake” and on purpose.
Barbados ✔
The citizens of Barbados enjoy the use of the Internet without restrictions, and the use of VPNs is legal.
Belarus ❌✔
Belarus is one of the few governments that have tried to crack down on the use of VPNs. In fact, the state has banned any technology that hides the use of the Internet. Although not completely illegal, VPNs have been added along with Tor to the list of sites with limited access. It was announced in 2015 that Tor would be blocked and the ban actually seems to have taken effect in late 2016. Although it is upset and users may face fines if caught, VPN use is still popular in the country.
Belgium ✔
Using a VPN in Belgium is legal. However, cases of Internet censorship have been reported.
Belize ✔
Belize has also been the subject of news regarding internet restrictions, including the government’s ban on VoIP for a while. However, the use of VPNs is legal.
boys ✔
Benin citizens can use the internet without restrictions and the use of VPNs here is legal.
Bhutan ✔
The use of VPNs is legal in Bhutan. However, the government imposes restrictions on content that goes against its moral beliefs.
Bolivia ✔
While the use of VPNs is legal in their country, Bolivians are subject to censorship, especially when it comes to the press and social media.
Bosnia and Herzegovina ✔
The government of Bosnia and Herzegovina has attempted to criminalize some social media activities, but there is currently no effective internet censorship. VPN use is legal here.
Botswana ✔
Botswana citizens can use the internet without restrictions and VPN use is legal.
Brazil ✔
While VPNs are legal in Brazil, there are some issues with internet censorship in the country. The government attempted to enforce a number of restrictions in 2016. There was also a 2015 temporary ban on WhatsApp, although the ruling that led to this was quickly overturned.
Brunei ✔
When it comes to internet use, Brunei citizens are subject to government censorship. Cases of accusations made as a result of social media posts have also been reported. However, the use of VPNs is legal.
Bulgaria ✔
While VPNs are legal in Bulgaria, the government is seeking more control over internet use. It also currently monitors online activity, and requires ISPs to provide real-time access to Internet traffic.
Burkina Faso ✔
Internet use is not widespread in Burkina Faso, but it is unrestricted. Using a VPN is legal in this country.
Burundi ✔
Burundi is another country in which only a small part of the population uses the Internet. However, users are subject to censorship, and in the past social media chat platforms such as WhatsApp have been blocked in times of turmoil. Using a VPN here is legal.
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Cambodia ✔
VPNs are also legal in Cambodia, but the country has a past associated with internet censorship and censorship. The Cambodian government actively monitors online activities, and suppresses freedom of expression. There have been numerous cases in which members of the opposition have been arrested over social media posts.
Cameroon ✔
Cameroon also has a history of controversy online. There have been multiple lockdowns this year involving the English-speaking regions of the country, affecting about a fifth of the country’s population. Aside from regulating these politically motivated outages, the Cameroonian government is also actively urging against social media, with one government-controlled newspaper, a Cameron Tribune, noting that social media has “quickly become a threat to peace and a covert tool for manipulation…” However, Cameroonians can legally use VPNs.
Canada ✔
While Canada is considered one of the freest countries in the world, it has some pretty unenviable laws regarding data retention, mass surveillance, and net neutrality. The use of VPNs in Canada is legal, although there has been talk of plans to block them in the past. This talk was supported by calls from telecom giants such as Rogers.
Cape Verde ✔
Cape Verdean citizens have unrestricted internet access and use of VPNs is legal here.
Central African Republic ✔
Using a VPN is legal in the Central African Republic. However, the country has been known for censoring citizens, particularly in banning text messages during the period of unrest.
Chad ✔
When it comes to internet use, the citizens of Chad are subject to monitoring and restrictions by their government. Surveillance became particularly prevalent during elections and the entire internet was reported to be cut off. However, using a VPN is legal.
Chile ✔
While VPNs are legal in Chile, citizens have been the subject of internet surveillance in the past. Moreover, data retention laws in the country are advancing but their ambiguity has caused constant criticism.
China ❌
With China’s “Great Firewall” fully operational, VPNs have become very popular among residents and visitors. The firewall blocks many popular websites including Google, Facebook, and YouTube. To support the movement, the government has cracked down on VPNs by blocking the websites of service providers. However, this doesn’t always stop people from actually using a VPN because you don’t necessarily need to access the VPN’s website to use one of its native apps. It has also been reported that China is using Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to detect and block VPN traffic. However, some VPNs can use superior anonymization technology to avoid detection. Meanwhile, VPN use is not categorically illegal, but there have been select cases of VPN providers arrested and sentenced. In 2017, VPN apps were removed from the China Apple App Store at a government request.
Colombia ✔
Colombian citizens can legally use VPNs and enjoy unrestricted access to the Internet. Although there have been previous reports of online surveillance by the US government. The Colombian government has also been in the news regarding regulations surrounding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. While Bitcoin was banned in early 2017, it has since lifted the ban,…
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