Are VPNs Legal? What Are the VPN Censorship Laws Globally?

Abeerah Hashim  - Security Expert
Last updated: February 1, 2024
Read time: 29 minutes
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Each country worldwide has a different attitude toward online censorship and VPNs. This guide covers data from all the nations that matter and tells, "where are VPNs legal, illegal, and restricted?"

THE TAKEAWAYS

Although, VPNs are no longer a luxury today. Instead, they’re a must-have for every internet user to protect online privacy. However, since VPNs give users a sense of internet freedom, authorities in numerous countries globally don’t like them for their citizens. Therefore, while VPNs are generally legal, some countries have implemented harsh laws against these tools. Using VPNs in such regions can cause you to face legal consequences. Therefore, it’s wise to know beforehand whether VPNs are legal in your country before deciding on using one.

We heard you’ve asked – are VPNs legal? And the answer may simultaneously be a ‘yes’ and a ‘no.’ It’s because of how different countries look at this service. While it’s okay for some countries to let their people use VPNs, others consider it a forbidden sin.

That difference in perspective and the subsequent legislation has confused the users. Hence, this article examines where, how, and why VPNs are legal in some areas and illegal in others.