While VPNs are blacklisted and banned in some countries, they are widely used by many internet users in others. It’s safe to say that in most of the world, VPNs are 100% legal.
Are VPNs legal to use?
Part of the reason why some countries don’t permit the use of VPNs is that they can hide users’ real IP addresses and make them appear to be in a location different than their real one. Not to mention, using a VPN comes with many privileges like bypassing geo-restrictions and escaping surveillance. Such benefits make VPN users wonder whether or not the products they’re using are legal. And for that reason, we’re here to tell you otherwise.
What Do You Need a VPN for?
Questioning the legality of VPNs has to do with the fact that a VPN can make your connection to the internet private, anonymous, and undetectable. So, that doesn’t appeal to the authorities in countries that implement strong censorship and surveillance. In fact, VPNs were essentially used by big businesses to create a secure network to facilitate remote work and file sharing. Nowadays, VPNs offer more than just that. Here’s what a VPN can provide:
- Anonymity and Increased Privacy: A VPN can keep internet spies, snoopers, and hackers away. No one is able to trace anything back to your real location. VPNs protect users with a strict “no logs” policy, which means that your information is not tracked or stored.
- Bypass Geo restrictions and Filters: With a VPN, you can bypass restrictions and access worldwide content.
- Online Security: A VPN encrypts and protects your data and identity over public networks.
- Stop ISP Bandwidth Throttling: A VPN can prevent your Internet Service Providers (ISP) from slowing down your connection.
Illegal Activities
There are many online activities that are considered illegal with or without a VPN. These activities include:
- Cyberstalking
- Fraud, theft, scamming
- Illegal file-sharing or torrenting copyrighted material
- Hacking
- Spamming
- Buying, selling or downloading on the dark web
Most VPN’s Terms of Service indicate that practicing illegal activity is not allowed, and users will have to take responsibility for any sort of criminal behavior. For example, accessing Netflix using a VPN isn’t illegal, however, breaching a VPN’s Terms of Use is.
Which VPN Should I Use?
It’s always best to use a VPN that keeps no logs of your browsing activity. You also want to sign up with a VPN that has its headquarters in a country where there are no data retention laws. A good example would be ExpressVPN.
- 30-Day Money-back Guarantee
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Apps For All Your Devices
- 24/7 Live Support
Are VPNs Legal? – Final Thoughts
In short, VPN usage is not illegal depending on the country where it’s being used. So, it’s what you do with a VPN that determines whether or not your activities are legal. Indeed, with a VPN, you get to access a flowing hub of information safely, securely and without limits whatsoever.
