In most countries worldwide, VPNs’ use is legalized, but a handful of countries have restricted VPNs, namely China, Russia, Turkey, U.A.E, Oman, North Korea, e.t.c.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) may be legal in almost every country worldwide but keep in mind that whatever the government has deemed illegal remains illegal even when using a VPN.
Here in this article, we’ll inform our readers with the conditions in which the use of VPN is legal. Also, we’ll share countries that have restricted the use of a VPN. Let’s begin with it.
Organizational Network Security
The additional layer of security provided by the VPN in any organization helps ensure that their intellectual property is not harmed.
Securing Of Personal Data Over Public Wi-Fi
Most Wi-Fi providers don’t usually encrypt their internet connection, making it a hub for tech-savvy guys to pry on to anyone they deem fit. That’s why most people use VPNs to hide most of their web traffic.
Being Anonymous on the Web (Internet Privacy)
VPNs offer some kind of privacy from the prying eyes of advertisers or any other 3rd party from collecting data about your activities. It is useful for authors or bloggers who write about sensitive topics but want to be anonymous on the web.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions
Bypassing geo-restrictions with the aid of a VPN is not illegal, but it can violate one’s terms and conditions, which may result in getting banned from the services you are using.
Bypassing Restrictions on a Network
VPN can be used to bypass the restrictions on a network at your workplace or school but keep in mind that the policies and guidelines should not be violated.
Make Your VoIP Calls More Secure
While using VoIP, make sure that you are connected to a VPN so that there will be a minimal risk of eavesdropping.
Countries Which Have Imposed Restrictions on VPN
Countries with a more restrictive reputation around freedom of speech tend to block these services as they don’t want their people to roam around the web without their knowledge. They keep tabs on what is going on their social media, so that’s why the governments restrict the use of VPNs, as VPNs provide no logs or zero logs policy that helps the user to roam the web without leaving any trail.
Countries have imposed different kinds of bans on VPN providers. In a few countries, VPNs are tightly regulated, and in some, they are completely banned. Let’s overview these countries.
| Country | Status | Description |
| China | Tightly Regulated | China has long blocked most of the social media platforms, namely Facebook, Instagram e.t.c, as well as the giant search engine Google. Even the VPN has been deemed illegal, except for government-approved service providers. As China is rapidly advancing in the technological race, so is their firewall, as it keeps changing and getting better with time. |
| U.A.E | Tightly Regulated | U.A.E laws have deemed it illegal for VPN, meaning that it is a crime to use a VPN in U.A.E. If caught, the minimum fine would be 500,000 dirhams. Even the country has banned Whatsapp and Skype, but you may use it if you have a legitimate use for it. |
| Russia | Completely Banned | The Russian government, led by Vladimir Putin, banned VPNs use in November 2017 to impose a firm grip over the internet. |
| North Korea | Completely Banned | VPN’s banning in a country like North Korea doesn’t surprise as even cellular, and internet services are not commonly available. |
| Iraq | Completely Banned | The government banned the use of VPNs entirely to track and stop ISIS. The ban’s intention is good, but almost every citizen of the country is affected. |
| Turkey | Tightly Regulated | VPN usage is legalized in Turkey, but the Turkish government has blocked many websites, including most of the VPN service providers. |
| Oman | Completely Banned | The government actively censors the media and the internet and has deemed the usage of VPNs illegal. |
| Iran | Tightly Regulated | The law regarding VPN’s use clearly states that one can use only those VPNs licensed by the government. It means that the government is collecting the anonymity that a person desires while using a VPN that is taken away from him/her and all the data. |
| Belarus | Completely Banned | Belarus has completely banned TOR and VPN Services. The government has asked ISP’s to check the list of prohibited services regularly. |
Conclusion
As you can see that the list of the countries where VPN is banned is not very long, and almost all the countries are imposing their desires to control the media.
In large part of the world, using a VPN within reason allows you to experience the internet the way it was intended – a free-flowing hub of information that you can safely and securely access without undue limits.
VPN is merely a tool that helps in making one anonymous on the internet. Tools can both be used for good or evil purposes, so the tool is not at fault but the person using it.
The usage of a VPN can be harmful as what is deemed illegal by the government will remain unlawful while using VPN, such as Downloading and Selling copyrighted content, Hacking, or Cyberstalking.
