However, VPNs are not legal in all countries. In fact, there are several countries where VPNs are outright banned, including:
Belarus: Earlier this year, Belarus enacted a law banning all “unauthorized” internet connections, which included VPNs. The country has since blocked several popular VPN providers, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN. If you’re caught using a VPN in Belarus, you could face up to five years in prison. China: China is well-known for its heavy internet censorship and strict online regulations. As such, it should come as no surprise that the use of VPNs is also banned in the country. In 2017, China began cracking down on unlicensed VPN providers andblocking access to foreign ones. Since then, several popular services have been inaccessible in the country, including Google (via SSL), Facebook (including WhatsApp), Twitter,, Instagram,, Netflix,, BBC iPlayer,, Hulu,, Skype,, Snapchat,, Pinterest,, and more . If you’re caught using aVPNin China , you could face fines of up to $150 . Iran: Iran also bans the use of VPNs . The country cracked down on these tools after they were widely used during the 2009 Iranian protests . Those caught using a VW could face anywhere from one to 10 years in prison , depending on their offense . North Korea: Not much is known about North Korea’s stance on Virtual Private Networks since information about the country is so tightly controlled by its government . However , given that North Korea heavily restricts internet access for its citizens (with only a small handful having access to state-run intranet ), it’s likely that using a VP would be considered illegal . Russia :Russia enacteda new set of internet rules last year which includesthe banof anonymous web surfing through proxy serversandVirtual Private Networks(VPN) among others
Worth knowing
First, it is important to note that the Chinese government does not approve of VPNs and has taken measures to block access to many popular VPN providers. So, while using a VPN in China is technically legal, it may not be possible to find a reliable service that works well in the country.
Second, even if you are able to connect to a VPN server located outside of China, your internet usage will still be subject to Chinese censorship laws. This means that you may not be able to access websites or online content that is critical of the Chinese government or deemed “sensitive” by authorities.
Finally, keep in mind that the use of a VPN can never guarantee 100% anonymity or security online. If you are concerned about being tracked or monitored by the Chinese government, it is best to take additional precautions such as using Tor or a secure messaging app like Signal.
Worth knowing
No, VPNs are not illegal in India. In fact, they are legal and widely used throughout the country. However, there have been some reports of government crackdowns on people using VPNs, so it is always best to check with your local laws and regulations before using one.
Worth knowing
In the United Kingdom, there are no laws prohibiting the use of VPNs. However, there are some activities that are illegal when using a VPN, such as accessing copyrighted content or committing cybercrime. If you use a VPN to commit an illegal act, you could still be prosecuted under UK law.
Overall, using a VPN in the UK is perfectly legal. However, it’s important to make sure you’re not using your VPN for any activities that would otherwise be illegal without one.
Thank your for reading!