Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are popular tools for online privacy, security, and accessing restricted content. But VPN legality varies greatly around the world – from being fully embraced in some countries to heavily restricted or banned in others. Ironically, the countries that need VPNs the most (due to censorship) are often the ones that outlaw them.
In this comprehensive breakdown, we’ll explore the VPN legality status of major countries in 2025, including key laws, notable cases, and public attitudes.
Below is a quick-reference table summarizing each country’s status, followed by detailed sections for each:
| Country | VPN Legality (2025) | Notes / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Legal | No laws against VPNs; widely used for privacy and streaming. |
| Canada | Legal | No restrictions; VPN use common for security and content access. |
| United Kingdom | Legal | Fully legal; strong adoption for privacy and entertainment. |
| Germany | Legal | Fully legal; privacy laws support secure internet use. |
| France | Legal | Fully legal; no ban despite past debates on internet tools. |
| Australia | Legal | Fully legal; VPNs popular for privacy and avoiding geo-blocks. |
| India | Legal (With Restrictions) | Legal to use, but govt. mandates VPN providers log user data. |
| China | Banned (except govt-approved) | Unauthorized VPNs illegal; Great Firewall blocks most VPNs. |
| Russia | Legal (With Restrictions) | Only state-approved VPNs allowed; others blocked and fined. |
| Turkey | Legal (With Restrictions) | Authorities block many VPN services amid censorship. |
United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Legal (With Restrictions) | Using VPN for unlawful purposes incurs heavy fines. |
| Iran | Banned | VPNs officially outlawed in 2024; widely used covertly. |
| Saudi Arabia | Legal (With Restrictions) | Not illegal to use, but accessing banned content is punishable. |
| Oman | Banned for Individuals | Illegal without government permit; fines up to ~$1300. |
| Brazil | Legal | No restrictions; high VPN use for streaming and security. |
| Indonesia | Legal (With Restrictions) | Legal, but plans to block “illegal” VPN apps to enforce bans. |
| Other Banned Countries | Banned | Belarus, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Iraq: VPN use prohibited. |
(Now, let’s dive into each country’s VPN laws and climate in detail.)
United States 🇺🇸
VPN Status: Legal. In the United States, using a VPN is completely legal for individuals and businesses. In fact, no U.S. laws restrict VPN usage, and even government agencies have recommended VPNs for cybersecurity. For example, the FBI has advised the public to use VPNs to boost online privacy
There is a robust culture of internet freedom, and VPNs are viewed as legitimate tools for protecting personal data and accessing content securely.
Key Laws/Regulations: The U.S. has no specific laws banning or limiting VPN use. General laws still apply (any illegal act remains illegal whether or not a VPN is used). In 2023, a proposed bill (the RESTRICT Act) raised public concern that VPN users might be penalized if they bypass a potential TikTok ban. However, fact-checks clarified that the bill did not criminalize VPN use itself – its penalties targeted companies, not everyday users using a VPN
As of 2025, possessing or using a VPN in the U.S. is legal, and there are no indications of this changing.
Notable Cases/News: The U.S. has not seen any bans on VPNs. Instead, VPNs are mainstream – many Americans use them to secure Wi-Fi connections, evade ISP tracking, or stream geo-blocked media. Nearly one-third of Americans used a VPN in 2023, a big jump from a few years prior. While streaming services like Netflix try to block VPN IPs (a private sector issue), there’s no government restriction on using VPNs for any lawful purpose. The discourse around banning specific apps (like TikTok) did spark debates, but even then VPNs were seen as a solution, not something to outlaw.
Public Attitude & Usage: Public attitude in the U.S. is very favorable toward VPNs. They are seen as a normal privacy tool – as common as antivirus software for many users. Surveys show about 46% of U.S. internet users have utilized a VPN at least once. People use them for a variety of reasons: privacy from advertisers, avoiding government or ISP surveillance, accessing US services while traveling abroad, or simply watching region-blocked content. In short, VPNs are an accepted and growing part of American internet life, with no legal barriers.
Canada 🇨🇦
VPN Status: Legal. Canada, much like its southern neighbor, imposes no bans or restrictions on VPN usage. VPNs are lawful to use across the country for personal or professional purposes. Canadians enjoy strong protections for freedom of expression, and there’s no law specifically targeting VPN technology.
Key Laws/Regulations: There are no Canadian laws restricting VPN use. General internet laws (like those against cybercrime, copyright infringement, etc.) still apply, but using a VPN itself is not regulated. Canada’s privacy and data protection environment (including laws like PIPEDA) encourages individuals to take measures to secure their data – and VPNs fit into that toolkit. ISPs in Canada do not block VPN traffic; in fact, many businesses rely on VPNs for secure remote work.
Notable Cases/News: There have been no notable cases of VPN bans or government crackdowns in Canada. On the contrary, Canadians have increasing reasons to use VPNs – from large data breaches in recent years to concerns about surveillance. One point of discussion was when some Canadian users turned to VPNs to access U.S. streaming libraries or services not available in Canada; this sometimes violates service terms but is not illegal. The Canadian government has not attempted any VPN restrictions.
Public Attitude & Usage: The Canadian public generally views VPNs positively as privacy enhancers. Usage is high and growing, mirroring U.S. trends. Many Canadians use VPNs to shield their browsing on public Wi-Fi, bypass geo-blocks (e.g., watch American Netflix or sports streams), and protect personal info. Canada’s tech-savvy population and emphasis on internet freedom mean VPNs are common. Estimates indicate a significant portion of Canadian internet users have tried a VPN at least once – with usage rates climbing year over year. Overall, Canada remains a VPN-friendly country, with a populace that embraces the technology for everyday security and unrestricted access.
United Kingdom 🇬🇧
VPN Status: Legal. VPN use in the United Kingdom is completely legal, and VPNs are widely used across the country. The UK government imposes no direct restrictions on VPN services for consumers. Brits are free to use VPNs for privacy, security, or content access without fear of legal repercussion.
Key Laws/Regulations: The UK has robust surveillance and data retention laws (such as the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, often dubbed the “Snoopers’ Charter”), but none of these outlaw VPN usage. Instead, they empower government agencies to request data or monitor suspects – but VPN encryption can make surveillance harder, which is exactly why privacy-conscious citizens use them. There have been discussions around online safety and regulation (e.g., the Online Safety Bill), but these target harmful content, not VPN technology itself. In short, no UK law forbids or limits the use of VPNs. Like elsewhere, illegal acts remain illegal if done via VPN, but the act of using a VPN is not prohibited.
Notable Cases/News: The UK has not seen any attempts to ban VPNs. On the contrary, VPNs are mainstream tools in Britain. Government officials, businesses, and individuals all use VPNs (the UK government’s own employees often use VPNs for secure remote access). One notable development: UK authorities have occasionally expressed concern about anonymity tools (for instance, after terrorist incidents in the mid-2010s, there were debates on limiting encrypted communications or Tor). However, VPNs were never banned or restricted – those debates did not translate into action against VPN services. British internet users often leverage VPNs to get around geo-blocks (like accessing U.S. streaming catalogs or ensuring privacy when torrenting), and this has never been a criminal issue.
Public Attitude & Usage: Public attitude in the UK is pro-VPN for privacy and freedom online. A significant share of the British population uses VPNs regularly – surveys have found that roughly half of UK adults have used a VPN at least at some point, and about 5–10% use one frequently. The primary motivations include privacy (avoiding profiling or surveillance), security on public networks, and accessing blocked content (for example, using VPNs to access websites when traveling in countries with censorship, or simply to watch sporting events not broadcast at home). The average UK internet user is increasingly aware of VPNs; familiarity was around 58% of adults as of a recent survey, and about 47% had tried using one
With no legal barriers, the UK sees healthy growth in VPN adoption as part of normal internet hygiene.
Germany 🇩🇪
VPN Status: Legal. Germany allows VPN usage with no restrictions. As one of Europe’s strongest proponents of privacy rights, Germany treats VPNs as legitimate tools. There are no laws banning or limiting VPNs for individuals or companies. In fact, using encryption and privacy services aligns well with Germany’s outlook on data protection.
Key Laws/Regulations: Germany has strict data privacy regulations (like the GDPR at the EU level and the Bundesdatenschutzgesetz nationally) that encourage protecting personal information. No German law prohibits VPN use. The government does not impose internet connectivity restrictions – according to Freedom House, Germany imposes no significant restrictions on internet or ICT connectivity
This means Germans can freely use VPNs to secure their internet without breaking any law. Internet service providers in Germany do not block VPN traffic; VPN services operate legally. The only caveat is general law: using a VPN to commit crimes (hacking, downloading illegal content, etc.) is still punishable like any crime would be without a VPN.
Notable Cases/News: Germany has had no incidents of VPN bans or crackdowns. In the mid-2010s, during counter-terrorism discussions, there were rumors that tools like Tor might face regulation, but nothing concrete was done against VPNs. In 2020, an EU discussion about banning end-to-end encryption backdoors did not target VPNs at all – the focus was on messaging encryption. By 2025, VPN use is actually encouraged in many contexts (for cybersecurity), including by German institutions. There was a case where a German court struck down a data retention law that would log internet activity, reinforcing the notion that Germans have a right to privacy – an environment favorable to VPN usage. No news of VPN illegality has emerged in Germany; it remains fully legal.
Public Attitude & Usage: The German public is quite privacy-conscious (owing to historical reasons and strong data protection culture). VPN adoption in Germany is steady and growing, though slightly lower than some countries with heavy censorship (since Germans have generally free internet). By 2023, roughly 6–7% of Germany’s population were regular VPN users and a larger percentage had tried it. Many use VPNs to protect their browsing (especially on public Wi-Fi), to prevent profiling by advertisers or even by the pervasive state surveillance debates, and to access geo-restricted entertainment. German businesses also rely on VPNs for secure remote work. Overall, VPNs in Germany are seen as a smart privacy measure, completely normal and legal to use. The combination of strong legal privacy rights and tech-savvy users means Germany will likely continue to have high VPN usage without legal issues.
France 🇫🇷
VPN Status: Legal. France imposes no ban or restriction on VPN usage. Like its EU peers, France considers VPNs a lawful technology. Individuals and companies can freely use VPNs for legitimate purposes. There is no French law criminalizing the use of a VPN.
Key Laws/Regulations: French law strongly supports freedom of expression and privacy (France is subject to EU regulations like GDPR as well). VPNs are unregulated in France, aside from general laws that apply to all internet use. This means it’s legal to use a VPN, but if one were to, say, engage in piracy or hacking using a VPN, those underlying acts are still illegal. France has occasionally enacted measures to combat terrorism or copyright infringement online, but none of these have targeted VPN usage directly. Notably, after the 2015 Paris attacks, there were brief discussions by officials about possibly blocking public Wi-Fi or anonymization tools to prevent coordination by criminals – but VPNs were never outlawed, and those extreme measures were not implemented in law (the idea of banning Tor was floated but not acted upon). As of 2025, no legislation exists in France that bans VPNs.
Notable Cases/News: France has generally upheld internet freedom, and no cases of prosecuting someone for VPN use are known. The French government did pressure large tech platforms on content issues (like hate speech or piracy), but VPN providers were not a target of these efforts. One notable event: in 2021–2022, during deliberations of the EU’s Digital Services Act and related laws, some French rights holders complained that VPNs enable piracy by hiding user identities. However, the response was not to ban VPNs but to enforce copyright by other means. VPN services continue to operate openly in France, with many French users subscribing to both local and international VPN providers without issue.
Public Attitude & Usage: The French public widely accepts VPNs as a useful and legitimate tool. French internet users value their privacy – many remember government surveillance revelations and thus use VPNs to secure communications. Roughly 1 in 4 French internet users had used a VPN at least occasionally as of the early 2020s, and usage keeps rising. A recent analysis noted about 6.9% of the French population were active VPN users in 2023 similar to the UK and Germany. Common uses in France include bypassing geo-blocks (e.g., accessing U.S. Netflix or French TV from abroad), protecting personal data on public networks, and evading minor website blocks (France does block some websites – e.g., certain piracy or hate sites – and savvy users might use VPNs or proxies to reach them). Overall, VPNs are seen as a normal part of a modern, privacy-aware lifestyle in France, with the law posing no obstacles.
Australia 🇦🇺
VPN Status: Legal. Australia permits VPN usage without any restrictions. Australians are free to use VPNs for personal privacy, streaming content, or any other lawful activity. There are no Australian laws banning VPNs.
Key Laws/Regulations: Australia has robust cybercrime laws and in recent years introduced data retention requirements for ISPs (telecommunications companies must retain metadata for law enforcement). However, using a VPN is not outlawed or curtailed by those laws. The 2015 mandatory data retention law actually spurred more Australians to adopt VPNs to shield their internet activity from being logged by ISPs – and that was completely legal. Australian law enforcement can still pursue criminals who use VPNs, but there’s no penalty simply for the act of using one. Australia’s stance aligns with other open democracies: VPN technology is legal, while illicit acts (like accessing child exploitation material or committing fraud) remain illegal regardless of VPN use. Notably, Australia did pass laws that could compel tech companies to assist in decrypting communications (the Assistance and Access Act 2018), but that focused on messaging encryption and didn’t ban VPN usage by citizens.
Notable Cases/News: Australia has never attempted to ban VPNs. VPNs often come up in Australian media in the context of streaming and copyright. For example, many Australians used VPNs to access U.S. Netflix before Netflix expanded its Australian library – content providers complained but there was no legal action against users. In 2019, some Australian ISPs were required to block torrent websites; in response, usage of VPNs and proxies to circumvent those blocks increased (which was legal for users to do, though accessing pirated content is still illegal). No individual in Australia has been fined or arrested for simply using a VPN. VPN providers operate in Australia openly; some even advertise on Australian TV or online.
Public Attitude & Usage: Australians have embraced VPNs, particularly for accessing geo-blocked content and enhancing privacy. Australia’s relative geographic isolation and content release delays historically led many Aussies to use VPNs to get timely access to overseas shows or games. Surveys indicate a significant uptick in VPN usage among Australians in the last decade, especially among younger users. By 2023, roughly 25–30% of Australian internet users had used a VPN in some form. Public sentiment is that a VPN is a handy tool: whether it’s expats connecting to home services, gamers reducing lag by switching regions, or ordinary folks adding a layer of privacy. With high-profile data breaches in Australian companies (telecom and health sectors) in recent years, more people are aware of securing their data. Using a VPN is considered a prudent practice in Australia, with full legality and growing popularity.
India 🇮🇳
VPN Status: Legal, but with Restrictions. In India, using a VPN is legal for individuals, but the government has introduced regulations that affect VPN providers and how VPNs can operate. VPN usage is widespread and not banned, but recent policies have created a climate of “legal with restrictions.” Essentially, it’s legal to use a VPN, however the government wants VPN companies to comply with certain data rules – which has indirectly impacted VPN availability.
Key Laws/Regulations: The pivotal change came with a 2022 directive from India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). The government mandated that VPN providers must collect and keep user data logs for at least 5 years.
This data includes users’ real names, IP addresses, usage patterns, and other identifiers. The law was intended to help law enforcement trace cyber crimes, but it directly conflicts with the no-logs privacy policies of most VPN services. As a result, many major VPN companies pulled their physical servers out of India in protest – they offer “virtual” Indian servers from abroad to avoid compliance.
The use of VPNs remains legal for Indian citizens, but the government effectively discourages anonymous use by making providers accountable. Apart from this, there’s no law punishing a person for using a VPN. Do note: India also censors certain websites (hundreds of porn sites have been officially banned, for instance), and using a VPN to access those might violate obscenity or IT laws, though enforcement on individual users is rare.
Notable Cases/News: The CERT-In 2022 rule was big news. Services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark openly refused to comply and removed servers from India, citing user privacy. Indian authorities even asked Google and Apple to remove some non-compliant VPN apps from app stores showing they are serious about enforcement on companies. However, as of 2025 there’s no case of an individual being prosecuted just for using a VPN. The regulations target providers, not users. Another notable trend: India’s government frequently orders internet shutdowns or blocks (India leads in regional internet shutdowns during local unrest). In those times, tech-savvy Indians try to use VPNs to get around restrictions – though if the internet is completely off, that’s not possible. In 2023, during discussions of a new Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, there were concerns it might further impact VPN use, but it mainly focused on data handling by companies, not banning VPNs. Overall, the legality stands: you can use a VPN in India, but the government may be logging some data via domestic VPN providers.
Public Attitude & Usage: India has one of the highest rates of VPN usage in the world. This might be surprising, but millions of Indians use VPNs for various reasons: accessing restricted adult content or websites (given the government’s intermittent bans on websites), privacy from pervasive internet monitoring, and even for work (IT professionals connecting to company networks securely). Statistics show roughly 43% of Indian internet users have used a VPN – a huge number given India’s enormous user base. In fact, India was among the top 3 countries for VPN downloads in recent years (often trailing only Indonesia and the US in total downloads). Public awareness of VPNs spiked after the 2022 law – ironically, the attempt to regulate VPNs may have advertised them more. Tech communities in India vocally criticized the logging mandate, stressing the importance of VPNs for privacy. Nonetheless, many Indians continue using VPNs; some opt for international VPN servers or providers that have found workarounds.
China 🇨🇳
VPN Status: Banned (with very limited exceptions). China has some of the world’s strictest VPN policies. Using an unapproved VPN in China is illegal. The Great Firewall of China heavily blocks VPN traffic, and the government cracks down on both providers and users of unauthorized VPNs. Only government-approved VPN services (mostly for corporations or officials) are allowed – and those are strictly monitored. For the average person, VPN usage is effectively banned, though many still attempt to use them clandestinely.
Key Laws/Regulations: China’s legal framework requires telecommunications services (including VPNs) to be licensed by the government. In 2017, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced a ban on unauthorized VPN operations. Since then, the Great Firewall has been upgraded to detect and block VPN protocols at a deep packet inspection level. Only a few state-authorized VPNs (which comply with censorship and surveillance requirements) can legally operate. Using other VPNs is a violation that can lead to fines. Notably, the government has jailed or fined citizens for providing VPN services without permission. Under Chinese law, using “illegal channels” to connect to the international internet (i.e., bypassing the Firewall) is an offense. For instance, in 2017 a man named Deng Jiewei was sentenced to 9 months in prison for selling VPN software. More recently, authorities issued fines to individuals found using VPNs. In one high-profile case in 2023, a Chinese programmer was ordered to pay a massive 1 million yuan (~$140,000) penalty for using an unauthorized VPN to do freelance work online effectively confiscating his earnings as “illegal income” because they were made via a VPN connection. This sent a chilling message.
Notable Cases/News: China’s ongoing campaign against VPNs has many instances. In 2017, Apple was pressured to remove VPN apps from the Chinese App Store. Throughout late 2010s and into 2020s, periodic crackdowns on VPN usage have occurred, often before sensitive political events or anniversaries. For example, around the 2019 70th National Day, reports emerged of greater VPN disruptions. In 2022 and 2023, during Covid lockdown protests and other unrest, VPN usage spiked among citizens trying to access blocked social media – the government responded by tightening blocks and reportedly increasing penalties. The 2023 case of the 1 million yuan fine (the programmer surnamed Ma in Hebei) is one of the harshest known punishments for using (not selling) a VPN. Additionally, Chinese authorities launched propaganda claiming foreign VPNs might be cyber threats, warning people not to use them. However, VPN cat-and-mouse continues: savvy users still find semi-functional VPNs or new proxy tools, and the government continues to update its blocking techniques.
Public Attitude & Usage: Despite the risks, a segment of China’s population relies on VPNs as a lifeline to the open internet. This includes academics, researchers, students, businesses, and everyday citizens wanting uncensored information or global social media. It’s estimated that tens of millions of Chinese internet users use VPNs, though obtaining precise figures is hard due to secrecy. Usage is especially common in major cities and among tech-savvy and bilingual communities. The general public is aware that VPNs are technically illegal – there’s a Chinese saying about “climbing over the wall” for accessing blocked sites. Some accept the censorship and don’t bother, while others quietly keep trying. Foreigners in China, like expatriates, almost universally use VPNs to access home services (Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.). The government tends to tolerate foreigners using VPNs to a degree (many companies even have special permission to maintain VPNs for work), but locals can be warned or punished. Public attitude is cautious: people keep VPN use discreet. It’s widely understood that posting about VPNs or publicly encouraging their use can get one in trouble. Still, when there’s a will, there’s a way – China’s demand for VPNs is so high that some VPN providers maintain stealth servers and obfuscation techniques to evade detection. In summary, VPNs in China are officially banned but quietly used by those determined to see beyond the Great Firewall – a risky endeavor in 2025’s tightened environment.
Russia 🇷🇺
VPN Status: Legal to use, but heavily restricted. Russia has not outright banned personal VPN use in law, but it has implemented stringent restrictions that make most popular VPNs effectively inaccessible or illegal to operate. Only government-approved VPN services are allowed – these are ones that register with Russian authorities and comply with censorship. Using any VPN to access banned websites or content is against the law. In practice, the Russian government has blocked dozens of major VPN providers, making it very difficult for citizens to use uncensored VPNs. So while having a VPN app on your phone isn’t a criminal offense by itself, using it in defiance of Russia’s rules can lead to fines.
Key Laws/Regulations: Russia’s approach is codified in its “Sovereign Internet Law” (effective 2019) and earlier amendments. This law and related regulations require VPN providers to register with the Russian media watchdog (Roskomnadzor) and connect to a state-run system (FSIS) that filters content. Any VPN that refuses to comply will be blocked in Russia. As a result, since 2017–2018, Russia has been building a blacklist of VPN services. Many well-known VPNs (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, ProtonVPN, etc.) are blocked by Russian ISPs as of 2025. Furthermore, a 2021 law introduced fines for individuals and companies who use VPNs to access banned websites. Officially, an individual caught using an unapproved VPN or using it to view forbidden content can be fined up to approximately ₽5,000 (~$70), and organizations can be fined much more (₽700,000, about $9,500). Also, advertising VPNs that enable access to banned sites is illegal. The law doesn’t send average people to jail just for VPN use, but the framework is in place to punish misuse. Another twist: only VPNs that allow censorship are legal – which defeats the purpose for many users.
Notable Cases/News: Russia’s clampdown has intensified alongside its broader internet censorship (especially since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine). In 2019, Russia forced VPNs like TunnelBear and Avast to either hook into the state censorship system or get banned – they chose to get banned. In 2021 and 2022, Roskomnadzor announced it had blocked a list of popular VPN services, making headlines. By late 2023, reports indicated over 30 VPN services were blocked in Russia. Despite this, when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequently blocked platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and independent news, Russians flocked to VPNs. Demand for VPNs in Russia soared by 1,906% in a single week in March 2022 as citizens tried to stay connected to the outside world. This cat-and-mouse continued: authorities keep finding and blocking new VPN domains, while users share tips on ones that still work. In December 2023, the government even introduced criminal penalties for “repeat offenders” spreading banned information – which could theoretically include persistent VPN users, though primarily aimed at dissidents. In summary, the news from Russia is a continuous tightening of VPN restrictions, effectively a stealth ban on uncensored VPN use.
Public Attitude & Usage: Public attitude in Russia is split. A portion of the population (especially those who support the government or are indifferent) doesn’t bother with VPNs or sees them as tools for troublemakers. However, a significant tech-savvy and opposition-minded segment views VPNs as essential for free information. VPN usage in Russia has skyrocketed whenever censorship increases. In 2022 alone, Russians accounted for 33.5 million VPN app downloads – about 10% of all global VPN downloads that year – reflecting how large the user base became after wartime censorship. Many Russians use VPNs to access blocked social media (like Twitter, Facebook), Western news, and banned domestic sites like independent media or anti-corruption websites. It’s also common among younger Russians who want uncensored entertainment (some anime and Western movies sites are blocked as “extremist” if they don’t align with values). The general attitude among users is one of necessity and secrecy: using VPNs quietly to avoid attention. People have grown cautious, as authorities warn that they monitor VPN traffic and can penalize “misuse.” Still, by 2025, using a VPN (if you can find one that works) is a daily reality for millions in Russia – a means to peek over the “digital iron curtain.” The practice is widespread despite government disapproval, illustrating how demand for open internet finds a way, even under threat.
Turkey 🇹🇷
VPN Status: Legal to use, but strictly restricted. Turkey doesn’t have a law that outright bans individuals from using VPNs, but the government actively blocks access to many VPN services and has shown it will take measures to prevent VPN usage during times of political tension. In effect, VPN connectivity is often disrupted or unavailable, making it very difficult, though not illegal per se, for Turks to use VPNs freely.
Key Laws/Regulations: Turkey cites “national security” and public order to justify internet controls. While there isn’t a specific anti-VPN law, the government relies on general powers under its Internet Law (Law No. 5651) and various state of emergency decrees to order blocks on services that help bypass censorship. Turkish ISPs have been instructed to block popular VPN websites and connection endpoints. For example, in 2018 and again in 2020, reports confirmed that Turkey blocked at least 10 major VPN services and the Tor network. In August 2024, Turkey took it further and blocked 27 widely used VPN services as part of tightening internet restrictions. Using a VPN isn’t listed as a crime, but if someone were caught using one to do something illegal (like spreading what the government deems terrorist propaganda), they could face consequences under those broader anti-terror or disinformation laws. Essentially, the government treats VPNs as enemies of state control and uses technical means to stop them.
Notable Cases/News: Turkey frequently hits the news for internet censorship, and VPNs are at the heart of that tug-of-war. Notably, during periods of social unrest or before elections, Turkish authorities have repeatedly shut down or throttled social media and then targeted VPNs to prevent people from circumventing the blocks. For instance, in February 2023, after a tragic earthquake and ahead of elections, Turkey limited access to Twitter and people rushed to VPNs; shortly after, more VPNs were blocked. Again in October 2024, after a terror incident, ProtonVPN observed a 1,400% spike in signups from Turkey as social media was restricted, followed by authorities trying to cut off VPN use. One headline from March 2025: after protests erupted, Turkey blocked major platforms for 42 hours, and ProtonVPN recorded a staggering 1,100% increase in usage on March 19, 2025. Although service was restored, many VPN users were still online, indicating enduring high demand. The government had to lift the social media ban but made it clear they frown upon VPNs. Additionally, Turkey’s Freedom House “Freedom on the Net” reports note that by end of 2023 Turkey had blocked roughly 30 VPN services in total. No known cases of jailing someone solely for VPN use exist, but these frequent blocks and public warnings are meant to discourage people from even trying.
Public Attitude & Usage: Turkish citizens have a bittersweet relationship with VPNs: they are the go-to tools whenever censorship strikes, yet they are often unreliable due to blocks. Public awareness of VPNs is high, particularly among youth, activists, journalists, and the large social media-using population. Whenever Twitter, YouTube, or WhatsApp gets restricted (which has happened multiple times in the past decade), tens of thousands of Turks hop on VPNs if they can find a working one. During the 2016 attempted coup, for example, VPN usage surged as the government imposed a media blackout. Many Turks now pre-install multiple VPN apps for emergencies. Attitude-wise, there’s a sense that VPNs are a necessary survival kit for internet freedom – a common saying in Turkey is “have a VPN ready” much like keeping backup power for outages. However, outside of crisis moments, daily VPN use among the general population is lower than in highly censored countries because when things are calm, most Turkish internet is open (except persistent bans on certain sites like Wikipedia in the past, which was unblocked in 2020). Still, a solid minority uses VPNs regularly for privacy or accessing blocked sites (some adult content sites are banned, for instance). In summary, Turks see VPNs as vital in a pinch (with huge spikes in usage during crackdowns, but they also know the government is persistently trying to wall them off. This cat-and-mouse dynamic makes Turkey one of the most VPN-restricted environments outside China/Iran, even though technically using one isn’t a criminal act.
United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
VPN Status: Legal to use, but with strict restrictions on misuse. The UAE is known for its tough cyber laws, and VPNs exist in a gray area: it’s legal to have and use a VPN as long as you don’t use it to commit an offense. If a VPN is used to bypass the UAE’s internet restrictions or to do anything the law deems illegal, then heavy penalties can apply. In summary, VPNs are allowed, but their use is closely regulated – misuse can lead to fines or even jail.
Key Laws/Regulations: The UAE’s cybercrime law was updated in 2016 (Federal Decree Law No. 5 of 2012, amended by Decree Law No. 12 of 2016) to specifically address VPNs. It states that using a fraudulent network address (like a VPN or proxy) to commit a crime or prevent its discovery is illegal. Practically, this means if you use a VPN to access a website or service that’s banned in the UAE (for example, VoIP calling on apps like Skype/WhatsApp which were long restricted, or gambling/porn sites which are illegal), then the act of using the VPN itself becomes an offense. The law set punishments of fines between AED 500,000 and 2,000,000 (approximately $136,000 to $545,000) and possible imprisonment for such misuse. However, using a VPN for legitimate purposes is not prohibited. Many businesses and financial institutions in the UAE use VPNs for secure communications, which is permitted. The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has clarified that VPN technology is not illegal per se if used “in accordance with the laws” (meaning not to hide illegal activity).
Notable Cases/News: The UAE’s stance occasionally makes headlines, usually in the form of reminders or warnings. For instance, local news often publishes advisories like “Beware: Dh2 million fine for misusing VPN in UAE” to ensure residents know the seriousness. To date, there have been few public cases of individuals fined the maximum just for VPN use; enforcement tends to target clear abuses (like a fraud operation using VPNs to spoof location). In one case, a man was reportedly fined around AED 500,000 for using a VPN and fake IP address in a scam. Another case involved employees using a VPN to make illegal VoIP business calls, leading to legal action. The government also blocks many VPN websites and some VPN connections as a preventative measure. In recent years, as the UAE allowed certain VoIP services (like Zoom, Microsoft Teams) and introduced its own licensed apps, the reliance on VPNs for calling has lessened somewhat. But still, calling via WhatsApp or FaceTime remained officially blocked for a long time, so residents frequently used VPNs for voice/video calls – a technically illegal but widespread practice. The UAE has not banned VPNs outright, but it maintains one of the harshest penalties if you cross the line with them.
Public Attitude & Usage: The public in the UAE (both citizens and the large expat community) generally sees VPNs as useful, but they exercise caution. VPN usage in the UAE is quite high – one report estimated about 38% of internet users in the UAE use VPNs which is one of the highest rates globally. This high usage is largely driven by the desire to use banned VoIP services (to call family abroad for free) and to access global entertainment (some content on Netflix or other sites might be region-locked). There’s almost an open secret that many people use VPNs for Skype or WhatsApp calling. However, because of the potential fines, users are discreet.
Attitude: people regularly check which VPNs still work (as some get blocked) and often subscribe to reputable paid VPNs for better stealth. Businesses feel safe using VPNs for work (since that’s legal). Individuals using it for Netflix or casual browsing don’t worry much. But those using it to access something clearly illegal (like a banned site) know they’re taking a risk. The UAE’s internet is heavily filtered (e.g., most porn, some political or religious dissent sites are blocked), so without a VPN a lot of content is inaccessible. This creates a strong incentive to use VPNs, legal grey area notwithstanding. Overall, VPNs are part of digital life in the UAE – essential for many, but always to be used carefully under the shadow of strict laws.
Iran 🇮🇷
VPN Status: Banned (for general use). Iran has moved toward an increasingly hardline position on VPNs. In 2024, authorities officially outlawed the use of VPNs and similar tools to bypass censorship. This formal ban comes after years of cat-and-mouse where VPNs were technically illegal to use for accessing blocked sites but were still widely used by the public. Now, the government has explicitly banned unauthorized VPN usage unless one has state approval. In practice, almost all VPNs are unauthorized, so VPN use is effectively illegal – though Iranians continue to rely on them heavily to get around pervasive internet blocks.
Key Laws/Regulations: Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace, with endorsement from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, issued a directive (enforced from February 2024) that prohibits the use of VPNs and any tools that circumvent the government’s internet filters. The only exception is if a VPN is explicitly authorized by the government (for instance, perhaps for certain institutions). Prior to this, Iran already had one of the most censored internets in the world – social media like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube have been blocked for years, and more recently Instagram and WhatsApp joined the list during protests. It was an open secret that using a VPN to access these was technically illegal, but it wasn’t clearly spelled out in law. The new decree changes that by formally banning it. However, the decree did not spell out specific penalties for VPN use by individuals– likely because imposing penalties would require legislation by parliament. Still, existing laws can be used: for example, Iran’s cyber law can charge people with crimes like “computer misuse” or “spreading depraved content” if they’re caught accessing banned sites via VPN. We also know Iranian authorities are working on a National Information Network (essentially a domestic intranet) to make the global internet harder to reach without permission. Part of that plan is killing VPN usage.
Notable Cases/News: VPN crackdowns in Iran have escalated alongside political protests. During the nationwide protests of September 2022 (after the death of Mahsa Amini), the government severely throttled internet and blocked popular apps – Iranians responded by downloading VPNs at astonishing rates. There was a 3,000% increase in VPN demand in Iran that month. VPNs like Psiphon reported millions of Iranian users connecting daily. In response, Iranian authorities started targeting VPN infrastructure – they improved detection and blocking, making many VPNs slow or unusable. In 2023, reports emerged that some people were fined or warned by authorities for advertising or selling VPN services (which had been illegal). The February 2024 formal ban was big news: it signaled the regime’s intent to tighten its grip. Local outlets speculated about how enforcement would work – would they go after individual users? Officials have hinted at possible technological solutions (like deeper packet inspection) to identify VPN traffic, though completely stopping it is difficult. Also noteworthy is the hypocrisy angle: Iranian media revealed that elements within the regime profit from selling VPN access on the black market, which many citizens noted when the crackdown was announced. In any case, as of 2025 Iran has one of the strictest anti-VPN regimes on paper, rivaled only by China and North Korea.
Public Attitude & Usage: Despite the ban, VPNs are practically a lifeline for average Iranians. The Iranian public’s attitude can be summed up as: “We can’t live without VPNs.” With so much of the global internet off-limits – from social networks to news sites to streaming services – Iranians turn to VPNs daily. It’s estimated that a majority of young Iranian internet users know how to use a VPN or proxy. During the 2022–2023 unrest, as many as one in three Iranians were using anti-censorship tools like VPNs. Even outside of crisis times, a very high percentage routinely connect through VPNs to use Instagram (which was one of the last unblocked platforms until late 2022) or watch YouTube, etc. Now that Instagram and WhatsApp are blocked, VPN use is even more ubiquitous for those who refuse to give up those services. The public is very aware that it’s forbidden – but this ban is largely unenforceable en masse, so people persist. There’s a cat-and-mouse mindset: if one VPN gets blocked, try another, or use Tor, or use custom VPN protocols. Iranian users trade tips on which VPN or circumvention app is currently working. There’s also a sense of resentment: the more the government restricts, the more savvy the population becomes in evading filters.
Attitude: VPNs are seen not just as tools but as symbols of digital resistance and normalcy. Even those who aren’t politically active use VPNs just to do ordinary things online, so it’s ingrained in daily life. However, caution is growing – people worry that the new law might herald stricter punishments. Some are exploring “stealthier” VPNs with obfuscation to hide the fact that they’re using one. In summary, VPNs are officially banned in Iran, but that hasn’t stopped a thriving underground usage – if anything, it has made VPN use even more critical to Iranians’ online experience.
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
VPN Status: Legal to use, but with restrictions similar to UAE. Saudi Arabia does not explicitly outlaw VPNs – there is no law that says individuals cannot use a VPN. However, the Saudi government heavily filters the internet, and using a VPN to access blocked content can violate other laws. The authorities also actively block many VPN services’ servers and websites. So, VPNs exist in a tolerated but controlled space: using one isn’t a crime by itself, yet what you do with it could land you in trouble.
Key Laws/Regulations: Saudi Arabia’s internet censorship is among the strictest globally (aimed at pornography, gambling, VoIP, certain religious or political content). There isn’t a specific “VPN law” in KSA. Instead, the general cybercrime law (2007) punishes things like bypassing filters to view “illegal” content. For instance, accessing forbidden sites can be construed as a crime. The wording of some Saudi laws is broad – any online activity deemed against Sharia law or state security is illegal. If someone used a VPN to, say, promote dissent or view banned sites, they could be prosecuted under those statutes. Using a VPN itself is not listed as an offense, and no known case of someone charged purely for VPN use exists. In practice, the Saudi government’s approach is to make VPN use difficult by technical means: they block many VPN provider websites and server IPs. It’s known that popular free VPNs and even some paid ones are often inaccessible without… another VPN (catch-22!). The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has, over the years, ordered ISPs to curb VoIP and proxy tools. However, the climate in Saudi has been slowly changing – notably, in 2018 the government lifted the ban on VoIP calling apps, which reduced one major need for VPNs (before that, many Saudis used VPNs to use Skype/WhatsApp calls). Still, other content remains filtered, so VPNs are still used.
Notable Cases/News: Saudi officials have periodically issued warnings. For example, in 2020, some media reports and social discussions suggested there might be fines for using VPNs. The government clarified (through unofficial channels) that VPN use is not itself illegal, but reminded users that the cybercrime law penalizes accessing illegal content even via VPN. In recent digital initiatives, Saudi Arabia has been modernizing its internet regulations; there hasn’t been a crackdown on VPN users per se. One relevant development: as Saudi–UAE relations warmed and both invest in tech, they seem to align somewhat on policy – the UAE’s explicit VPN misuse fines are not mirrored exactly in KSA, but the philosophy is similar (don’t do illegal stuff with it). Another newsy item: According to research, VPN adoption in Saudi Arabia is actually very high – GlobalWebIndex and others estimated around 29% of Saudis used a VPN in the past month, which in one of the top rates worldwide. This reflects the continued demand for open internet. The government, meanwhile, continues to block content at a high rate (over 1.5 million websites by some counts). Notably, during events like the Arab Spring or any domestic unrest, Saudi authorities keep a close eye on VPNs and social media, but they typically respond by arrests based on content of posts rather than VPN usage itself.
Public Attitude & Usage: Many Saudis use VPNs regularly and see them as essential for a complete internet experience. Citizens understand you shouldn’t brag about using VPNs to do forbidden things, but quietly many do use them. For example, expatriates and young Saudis often use VPNs to access western streaming services, dating apps, or other restricted sites. Before VoIP was unblocked, VPNs were extremely common for daily calls (this might have dropped slightly since you can now legally use apps like WhatsApp Call after 2018). Still, other blocks remain (e.g., some Wikipedia pages, some news sites, any content seen as anti-regime). So VPNs fill that gap. With nearly a third of internet users in the Kingdom using VPNs, it’s clearly mainstream. The attitude is somewhat pragmatic: use it, but don’t abuse it. Many Saudi users will, for instance, disconnect their VPN before banking or government site usage (to avoid looking suspicious), and only enable it for specific blocked content. People share recommendations for VPNs that still work under Saudi networks. There is also a significant tech community in KSA that values privacy and encourages VPNs for securing data from hackers or prying eyes. Overall, VPNs in Saudi Arabia are widely used but exist under the radar – accepted as long as they aren’t used to flagrantly break the law. The environment is more permissive than Iran or China, but users remain cautious like in the UAE.
Oman 🇴🇲
VPN Status: Banned for personal use (legal only with government permission). Oman has one of the strictest formal policies on VPNs in the Gulf. Individuals are not allowed to use VPNs in Oman without a license. Only organizations or exceptional cases that obtain government approval can legally use a VPN. The Omani government actively enforces this by monitoring and fining unauthorized users. Thus, for most people, VPNs are effectively illegal in Oman.
Key Laws/Regulations: Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) issued regulations (circa 2010) banning the use of any form of encryption or tunneling (like VPN) by individuals. Oman prohibits encrypted communications that hide content from the government, except if one gets prior approval. In practice, that means companies can apply to use VPNs for secure operations, but ordinary citizens cannot. Violating this can result in fines up to OMR 500 (approx $1,300). Omani law treats the use of an unlicensed VPN as an offense. Notably, Oman tightly controls VoIP and media (like others in the region), and the VPN ban was partly to enforce those restrictions. Some sources phrase it as VPNs aren’t technically illegal but “banned” – splitting hairs because the effect is the same: Oman blocks VPN traffic aggressively and penalizes users if caught. There have been reports of the TRA using deep packet inspection to detect VPN usage on popular ports/protocols.
Notable Cases/News: Oman’s stance doesn’t make headlines often internationally, but regionally it’s known. A few years ago, local newspapers reminded the public that using a VPN without permission is illegal, after rumors spread that people were getting fined. TRA officials confirmed fines had been issued to individuals for VPN use. With the pandemic in 2020, some Omani professionals needed VPNs to work from home – Oman temporarily granted some leeway to companies, but individuals still risked penalties if using VPNs for things like unblocking Skype. Oman’s strict policy has led many Omanis to use less detectable means, such as SSH tunnels or Tor (though Tor is likely blocked too). There’s no sign Oman will relax this: as of 2025, Oman remains one of the few countries openly banning personal VPN use.
Public Attitude & Usage: Given the ban, Oman probably has lower VPN usage rates than neighboring Saudi or UAE. Those who do use VPNs in Oman do so covertly. The general public is aware that it’s against the rules – cafes and individuals have been warned. Still, human nature and necessity mean some people try. For example, expatriates or locals wanting to access voice calls or blocked sites sometimes attempt VPN connections; some might go unnoticed if they use obscure services. But many Omanis simply refrain to avoid trouble. The attitude could be summed up as: “We’d use VPNs if we safely could, but it’s not worth the risk unless necessary.” Businesses operating in Oman, on the other hand, often apply for permission to use VPNs and the government tends to allow it under oversight for corporate needs. Compared to the UAE or Saudi, Oman’s internet population is smaller and there’s less open discourse on social media about censorship circumvention (possibly due to fear). In essence, Oman’s harsh stance curtails widespread VPN use – the tech-savvy few who still use them must play a careful game of hide-and-seek with the authorities.
Brazil 🇧🇷
VPN Status: Legal. Brazil does not restrict VPN usage – VPNs are fully legal in Brazil. The Brazilian government places no bans on VPN services or their users. With a generally open internet and strong constitutional free speech protections, Brazil is a VPN-friendly country from a legal standpoint.
Key Laws/Regulations: Brazil’s “Marco Civil da Internet” (Internet Civil Framework) is a law that upholds net neutrality and internet rights. It does not outlaw VPNs or proxies in any way. In fact, the spirit of Marco Civil is to guarantee an open internet. There are no Brazilian laws that mention VPN usage as illegal. So individuals and companies can freely use VPNs. One thing to note: Brazil does have data protection law (LGPD) and cooperates in anti-cybercrime efforts, but none of these impede VPN use. Illegal activities (like hacking, fraud, child pornography) are of course criminal regardless of a VPN – Brazil has cybercrime laws for those – but using a VPN itself is not an offense. The government doesn’t attempt to block VPN websites or servers; many VPN companies have servers in Brazil to cater to users.
Notable Cases/News: Brazil has seen no attempts to ban or limit VPNs. If anything, VPNs occasionally surface in Brazilian news as tools people use to get around minor issues. For instance, several times in the past, Brazilian judges ordered temporary blocks on WhatsApp (due to the company not handing over data in criminal probes). During those controversial WhatsApp outages (2015 and 2016), millions of Brazilians simply used VPNs to access WhatsApp via foreign servers. This was widely reported, and it demonstrated how VPNs serve as a workaround for Brazilians in exceptional situations. The authorities never penalized users for that – their fight was with the tech companies, not users employing VPNs. Additionally, Brazil has a high rate of banking fraud and data theft, so banks and consumers often promote VPN use on public Wi-Fi for safety. In 2021, a huge data leak of health information prompted more interest in personal encryption tools. The government itself did not discourage this. In summary, Brazil’s legal climate has kept VPNs entirely permissible, and they’re even tacitly encouraged for security.
Public Attitude & Usage: Brazilians are quite tech-savvy and have shown a growing interest in VPNs. VPN usage in Brazil is on the rise, largely for privacy and streaming. Brazil consistently ranks among the top countries for number of VPN downloads each year. In 2023, Brazil’s VPN market size was around $2.7 billion and growing, reflecting demand. Many Brazilians use VPNs to watch content that might be region-locked (for example, accessing U.S. Netflix or sporting events not shown in Brazil). Online gamers also use VPNs occasionally to connect to foreign game servers. Privacy is another factor: Brazil has had issues with government surveillance in the past (like an intelligence agency scandal, and during political turmoil some feared monitoring). Those concerns drive educated users to VPNs to encrypt their traffic.
Indonesia 🇮🇩
VPN Status: Legal, but increasingly restricted. Indonesia officially allows VPN usage – there’s no law that simply says “VPNs are illegal.” However, the Indonesian government has strict internet controls on content (especially pornography, gambling, and anything deemed blasphemous), and it has signaled an intent to crack down on VPN services that facilitate access to banned content. Recently, officials have even announced plans to block certain VPNs, which blurs the line between legality and practical accessibility.
In summary, VPNs are legal but under threat of heavier restrictions as of 2025.
Key Laws/Regulations: Indonesia’s key internet law is the Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE), which governs online content. It doesn’t outlaw VPNs, but it criminalizes distributing or accessing “immoral” material or content that violates public order (this includes a broad ban on pornographic sites, many gambling sites, and occasionally political content). Using a VPN to access such banned material could be interpreted as a violation of law, even though the tool itself isn’t illegal. In practice, enforcement is usually aimed at the content providers, not individual users quietly using a VPN. Indonesian authorities also require ISPs to implement the “Positive Internet” filtering – a massive blocklist of sites. In mid-2022, a new regulation (MR5) required online services to register with the government, leading to brief blocks of services like Steam and PayPal until they complied. VPN services fell into a gray zone; some didn’t register and their websites were perhaps blocked. Notably, in August 2024, Indonesia’s IT minister announced plans to block access to free VPN apps as part of a campaign against illegal online gambling and porn. This indicates that while using a VPN isn’t outlawed for users, the government may make it technically hard to get or use one, especially the free ones that many turn to. The legal rationale given is that if a VPN is used to violate Indonesian law (like accessing banned content), that VPN can be targeted.
Notable Cases/News: Indonesia’s stance on VPNs made headlines in 2024 when DuckDuckGo (a privacy-focused search engine) was suddenly blocked, and officials hinted that free VPNs were next on the chopping block. The authorities linked VPNs to enabling gambling and porn access – which are serious no-nos in Indonesia. This was a significant development, effectively a warning to VPN providers and users. In previous years, there were instances where social media was throttled (for example, during riots in 2019, the government slowed down WhatsApp and Instagram; many Indonesians jumped on VPNs to bypass throttling). The government didn’t punish users, but it noted the behavior. Also worth mentioning: Indonesia has extremely high VPN usage rates globally (often topping lists). Perhaps in reaction, the government’s 2021-2022 “Intermediary Regulation” aimed at greater control included empowering officials to cut access to tools that circumvent filters.
Another newsy aspect is the sheer volume of content Indonesia blocks – over 800,000 sites by some counts – which drives people to VPNs. So far, no individual has been arrested just for using a VPN quietly. But any public promotion of how to bypass filters can draw legal attention. For example, someone running a blog post “how to access blocked sites with VPN” could potentially get into trouble under UU ITE for abetting access to illegal content (that’s hypothetical, but that law has been used broadly). In short, news indicates Indonesia is tightening the screws: not illegal yet, but perhaps on the path to heavy-handed measures.
Public Attitude & Usage: Indonesians are among the world’s heaviest VPN users. Surveys and analytics show that more than 40% of Indonesian internet users have used a VPN – some data even suggests over half (Indonesia often ranks #1 in percentage of internet users who use VPNs)
This is driven by a mix of factors: widespread site censorship (especially the porn ban which many citizens circumvent), desire for privacy, and also practical needs like accessing services not available locally. Free VPN apps are extremely popular in Indonesia, which is why the government targeting “free VPNs” is significant.
Attitude: Many Indonesians see VPNs as a normal part of internet usage – akin to an umbrella in the digital rain of censorship. It’s common for people to swap tips on which VPNs still work if something is blocked. At the same time, most are aware it’s wise to be discreet. They might joke about using a VPN to visit a banned site, but publicly admitting to it could be risky given the conservative elements of society. Also, because a lot of VPN use is for accessing porn (which is taboo to discuss openly), it tends to stay in the shadows. On the other hand, using a VPN to watch Netflix U.S. or get a better game connection is openly talked about among youths. Essentially, VPNs are a widely accepted tool among Indonesian netizens, seen as empowering users to get the “real” internet. There is some concern now that the government might remove this tool, causing unease especially among younger, more liberal citizens who rely on it. But until any ban is in place, usage remains rampant.
Other Countries with VPN Bans 🔒
While we’ve covered many major nations, it’s worth noting a few countries that completely ban VPN usage (or as close to completely as it gets). These are usually places with extremely authoritarian internet regimes where even the slightest attempt to circumvent controls is illegal:
- North Korea: VPNs (and indeed most of the global internet) are entirely banned. North Korean law permits only a few government-supervised individuals to access the world wide web. For ordinary citizens, even possessing a device configured to use a VPN (or any connection to the outside internet) could lead to severe punishment. Essentially, North Koreans don’t have the opportunity to legally use VPNs – the country’s intranet (“Kwangmyong”) is isolated. North Korea is in a category of its own due to total information control.
- Turkmenistan: Similar to North Korea, Turkmenistan aggressively bans VPNs and all anonymization tools. The government maintains a tight grip on internet gateways and heavily censors content. VPN users in Turkmenistan have reportedly been tracked down and forced by authorities to sign pledges never to use them again, under threat of legal penalty. With only state-controlled ISPs, Turkmenistan blocks VPN websites and has very limited internet access in general. Using a VPN can result in fines or worse. This is one of the few countries where practically no one can use a VPN successfully – only a tiny elite may have special permission.
- Belarus: VPNs are illegal in Belarus. Since 2015, Belarus has outlawed any technology that allows hiding one’s identity online or accessing blocked sites. The government specifically banned Tor and VPN services to prevent citizens from bypassing state censorship. Websites offering VPN or proxy services have been blocked. If a person in Belarus is caught using a VPN to visit banned content, they can face fines. In recent years, during protests against the regime, internet blackouts were common – and using VPNs (if one could) was considered an act against public order. Belarus, allied with Russia in internet policy, treats VPN usage as a subversive act.
- Iraq: Iraq instituted a ban on VPNs especially around mid-2010s, originally to hinder communications by ISIS terrorists. VPN use is considered illegal in Iraq, and the government has at times shut down the internet entirely in regions to combat exam cheating or unrest (negating VPN usefulness). While enforcement on individuals is not widely reported, technically using a VPN in Iraq violates regulations. Given ongoing security concerns, the Iraqi authorities want full visibility into internet traffic, hence disallowing encryption tools like VPNs.
- Syria: Syria has heavy censorship and surveillance, though it hasn’t been as explicit about VPN legality in publicly known laws. In practice, using a VPN in Syria is extremely difficult and risky, given the surveillance by numerous actors. It’s likely treated as an illegal attempt to bypass controls, even if not codified clearly.
In all these countries, VPNs are not just restricted – they are effectively forbidden by law, and the environment makes using them either impossible or extremely perilous. It’s worth noting that global VPN companies generally do not operate servers in these jurisdictions, and their services are often blocked. As ExpressVPN notes, places like Belarus, North Korea, Turkmenistan, and Iraq have “strict policies against VPNs” for all users. If you travel to or live in these countries, attempting to use a VPN could result in serious consequences.
In conclusion, the legality of VPNs in 2025 is a patchwork reflecting each country’s stance on internet freedom. Most of the world – including the Americas, Europe, and parts of Asia – embraces VPN usage as a legitimate exercise of privacy and online autonomy. In these places, VPNs are everyday tools for secure browsing and open access. However, in nations with heavy censorship or authoritarian control, VPNs face bans or tight restrictions, precisely because they undermine government-imposed internet limits. It’s fascinating to see that in countries like India, Turkey, and Russia, where authorities impose “VPN curbs,” the public often doubles down on VPN usage, treating it as digital resistance. Meanwhile, places like the UAE walk a fine line: allowing VPNs but outlawing their “misuse,” which essentially means don’t undermine their censorship.
For users around the globe, the takeaway is: know your country’s VPN laws before you connect. In one country a VPN might be as normal as a raincoat, and in another it could be viewed as contraband. As of 2025, VPNs remain legal in the vast majority of countries, especially across North America, most of Europe, and many parts of Asia and Latin America. Only a handful have outright bans. Yet, the trend in some regions is toward greater control – governments pushing back against the open internet that VPNs provide. This country-by-country breakdown highlights not just what the law says, but how culture and recent events shape the use of VPNs.
Staying informed is key. Whether you’re a traveler wanting to ensure you can safely use your VPN abroad, or a resident navigating your own nation’s rules, understanding VPN legality will help you assert your right to privacy without crossing legal lines. The landscape can change – governments introduce new laws, and VPN technology evolves to respond – so it’s a dynamic space to watch. One thing is clear: the demand for online privacy and freedom isn’t going away, and VPNs sit at the heart of that global conversation. Depending on where you are, they might be your passport to the open internet – or a forbidden door to knowledge. Use this guide as a map to navigate that reality in 2025, and stay safe (and legal) wherever you go online.
