With the exponential rise in internet users, the risk of running into a phishing website or unsafe domains increases, too. The consequences of hazardous internet surfing are so grave that you could also fall prey to identity theft by revealing your name, email ID, age, and phone number! Thus, every website asking for such details should be trusted, but how does one figure that out? The virtual world is full of traps and pitfalls, and there is no absolute surety of knowing what is safe and what isn’t. You could be downloading a harmless viral video or the latest season of some famous show and opening the gates of vulnerability. Those who have been around the internet for a long time would know that VPNs are possibly the safest way to make anonymous data transfers on the internet. But even the best of us, at some point, may have wondered: Are VPNs legal? And more importantly, is VPN safe to use?
Let’s find out.
What is a VPN?
Before we discuss the question ‘Are VPNs safe?’ We must be clear about what a VPN is. To simplify it, a VPN (or Virtual Private Network) is software that helps you browse the internet without revealing your identity or location; it is especially useful in shielding the user from their internet service provider or Government. These tunneling software attach your network through a series of servers across the globe, so the hosting website is clueless regarding your actual and exact location. Your IP address is a unique ID for your virtual presence and a VPN will hide your IP address so you can take on a new and unknown identity.
Certain websites impose geographical blocks, allowing access to web content only to those in a particular continent, country, or locality. A VPN can bypass this limitation, allowing access to any geographical location. For example, suppose some content is available only for internet users residing in the US and is blocked for viewing in India. In that case, you can effectively use a VPN to trick the website into believing you are using an internet connection within the US.
Paid and unpaid VPN services are available on the Internet. They have multiple servers in most countries to enable users to spoof their network as local internet connections through rerouting these available servers. The paid VPN service providers charge a nominal fee for packages, from hourly to yearly. The free VPNs could come at a cost much greater than paid VPN services charge. Of course, there are some reliable service providers, but there are also rogue ones who exploit and compromise your data instead of their ‘free’ services. We shall be talking about this in the later sections.
Are VPNs Illegal?
So, as we mentioned above, VPNs can be used to avoid being tracked by the Government. Naturally, it would trigger the question: are VPNs legal? The answer to this question is rather country-specific, but a more generalized answer would be Yes. VPNs are not illegal. However, this is not the case worldwide since VPNs are declared unlawful in certain countries (more later). Even though VPNs may be legal in most countries, it goes without saying that carrying out illegal activities through VPNs, like spreading viruses, selling drugs, and copyright material, could still make you liable for any legal action.
Countries like the UK, the US, and Canada allow the use of VPNs. However, VPN service providers must comply with the guidelines laid down by the country’s governing authorities where their organization is registered.
Most countries accept the legitimate usage of VPNs because it has some distinct advantages:
VPNs Offer Security
This security is not limited to any random internet user but extends to major Corporations and Government organizations. VPNs are used as a line of defense to protect sensitive data and intellectual property. Even banking environments use VPNs to access an employee’s workstation while working from home.
VPNs Offer Anonymity
In today’s times, anonymity and privacy are every individual’s utmost concerns. Whether they feel that the Government is monitoring them or wish to escape the clutches of targeted ads, more and more people are using VPNs to secure their connections safely. With VPNs, even VoIP calls cannot be tracked or monitored.
These pros outweigh the major cons of using a VPN, making it legal in most countries. Here are more reasons why you need a VPN.
Is It Illegal to Use a VPN for Netflix?
The mention of geo-locking web content triggers the first question: is it illegal to use a VPN for Netflix? Netflix may be the largest and most popular online streaming service. Still, users outside the US will notice a limited library that pales compared to the rich content on Netflix US. Using a VPN to access this resource could violate Netflix’s Terms of Use, which states that the company can restrict content based on the user’s geographical location. Despite that, it would not constitute a copyright violation since the user would still be using Netflix to access their services.
Apart from this infringement of Terms of Service, there seem to be no other laws that are flouted if VPNs are legal in your country. If your country has no laws against circumventing any geological or continental restrictions imposed on content, this is a given. Also, accessing Netflix information through a VPN for commercial use of their content could land you in a legal tangle. Moreover, if Netflix catches you using their services through a VPN, they have the right to ban you from using them. So, use a VPN for Netflix without worrying about legal repercussions. However, it would be best if you refrained from misusing the benefits of a VPN.
Is It Illegal to Use a VPN in Schools?
Schools are governed by rules and not laws. If a VPN is legal in a country, it automatically becomes legal in schools. The internal rules and policies followed by schools vary from school to school. It also depends on the content accessed through the VPN. If the school deems it improper to use a VPN, you get into trouble with the school authorities. Gaining access to a harmless website may result in a light slap on the wrist, but getting to the dark side of the internet using VPNs could result in expulsion or detention. In a nutshell, using VPNs in schools could not attract any legal action as long as VPNs are legal in the entire country.
Countries Where VPN is Illegal
As mentioned before, most countries allow VPN use, but some have strict laws against it. So here are the countries that have banned or regulated VPN services.
Russia
It is a well-known fact that the Russian Government runs a robust surveillance system. Thus, any technology that offers anonymity, such as VPN, proxies, Tor, etc., was banned and considered illegal by the Government. This action also ensures that the citizens do not gain access to web content that the Government does not allow.
China
Using a VPN is illegal in China. The Chinese Government tracks all the online activities and controls, censors, and regulates the web content that the citizens can access. Although, in theory, the country has registered VPN service providers, they have to conform to a strict and rigid set of guidelines imposed by the Government. This defeats the entire purpose of using VPNs in the first place. Furthermore, certain regions of China block VPN usage entirely, irrespective of the provider.
Belarus
Following the actions taken by leaders of VPN-banned countries Russia and China, Belarus also banned VPN and Tor services that offered some anonymity. Belarus’s internet service providers have to cross-check with the daily list of banned services, which is issued by a Government agency.
Iraq
Iraq has been a hotspot of terrorist activities since the resurgence of ISIS. Thus, VPNs have been completely banned from tracking every internet activity and monitoring every internet user. While this action may seem necessary to ban terrorists, the country’s citizens have to compromise their security and privacy. Interestingly, government and Government organizations have no qualms about using VPNs.
Oman
Oman has been active in censorship, so it comes as no surprise that internet access is regulated, too, apart from conventional media. Thus, to maintain the stronghold, VPNs are banned in Oman.
Turkey
Turkey has been attempting to ban all social media platforms and any means of gaining access to them. Thus, the Turkish Government has blocked various other websites, including VPN providers.
United Arab Emirates
UAE imposes a steep fine of $575,800 on those found to be using a VPN. The government wishes to support the telecommunication industries, which suffer great losses due to VoIP services that cut into their profit margins.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia witnessed a unique scenario wherein using VPNs is legal, but the Government authorities have blocked nearly 400,000 websites. Like the UAE, the country also blocked VoIP services to boost its telecom sector. Following this, the Saudis began using VPNs to access these services. Fortunately, with the ban on VoIP lifting, the use of VPN may not be necessary after all.
Countries like North Korea, Iran, and Turkmenistan restrict the use of VPNs as part of their general internet censorship and to limit internet access, but they also have a few approved VPN service providers who can offer this service. Moreover, this list of countries is not exhaustive because the laws governing a country are quite dynamic and may change constantly. So, users are advised to check their local law for assurance.
Are VPNs Safe to Use?
VPNs are definitely safer than using proxies since they involve data encryption that can safeguard your information. On the surface, the idea of using a VPN for fortified security, anonymity, and privacy may seem ideal, but it comes with its fair share of traps.
When accessing a free VPN, it is crucial to understand that nothing is ever completely ‘free.’ VPN providers offering free services may allow malicious third parties to collect your data. They may even give access to your internet connection, which rogue entities can use to carry out illegal activities. Some VPN service providers marketing their wares for free could track and maintain records of your IP address and internet usage history. These personal records with all your information could be sold off on the dark side of the internet. Compared to this, paid VPNs may appear to be a more attractive option for these services.
Consider a few factors before you choose the best VPN, these are Connection speed, number of servers, protocols, privacy policy, and customer support. These factors will control your overall experience of availing of their services. Hence, you can make an informed decision by checking out these parameters. You may even test out a VPN provider using a 30-day trial with a money-back guarantee before purchasing any of their larger packages. Choose a VPN equipped with a ‘kill switch’ that would block all internet access if the connection is not encrypted. Just because a service is being paid for, it does not necessitate that you are entirely protected. VPNs can fall prey to bugs and hack attacks that could make your data vulnerable. Even though these breaches are rare, it is better to be prepared than sorry.
While it may seem reassuring to know that VPN service providers must accede to a list of guidelines and maintain strict policies, it is troubling that these laws are determined by the country where the organization is based. Hence, shady VPN service providers set up operations in countries where these compliance rules are either missing or are too lax. This way, they may appear to comply with a weak or non-existent law and seem like a legitimate business. Thus, it is essential to consider the location of your VPN provider to assess how stringently they follow the privacy policies.
Which VPN Should I Buy?
Now that you know the legal status of VPNs in your country, you might be wondering which VPN is best in terms of speed and security. To answer your question, I have tried more than 10 VPN providers, and I found ExpressVPN the fastest VPN in the industry. It is slightly costly compared to other providers, but it is worth every penny. Below is a table of the top 5 VPN providers that you can consider to hide your online activities.
Jurisdiction
British Virgin Islands
Servers
3000+
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
Supported Apps
Works with
Kodi, Torrenting, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO
Pros
- VPN Servers in 105 Countries
- Super fast speed – great for streaming
- Strong no-logging policy
- Very secure 256-bit encryption
- No Streaming restrictions
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Network Lock (Killswitch)
- Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Safe for P2P and torrent use
- Dedicated apps & easy setup on all devices
- 8 simultaneous connections
- Excellent 24/7 Live chat/email support
- Bitcoin accepted
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No free trial
Jurisdiction
United States
Servers
1200+
Money-back guarantee
7 Days
Supported Apps
Works with
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO, Torrenting, Kodi
Pros
- VPN Servers in 60 Countries
- Good speed
- 256-bit encryption
- No Streaming restrictions
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Killswitch
- Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Dedicated apps for all devices
- 7-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Unresponsive Customer Service
- Unfriendly design & layout
- No free trial
Jurisdiction
Panama
Servers
3300
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
Supported Apps
Works with
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO, Torrenting, Kodi
Pros
- VPN Servers in 60 Countries
- Good speed
- 256-bit encryption
- No Streaming restrictions
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- Killswitch
- Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- 6 simultaneous connections
- Dedicated apps for most devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- IPv6 leak in macOS IKEv2 app
- No dedicated Fire TV app
- No free trial
Jurisdiction
Romania
Servers
3600
Money-back guarantee
45 Days
Supported Apps
Works with
Kodi, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO, Torrenting
Pros
- VPN Servers in 55 Countries
- Average speed
- Anti-malware & no tracking
- 256-bit encryption
- No Streaming restrictions
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- 7 simultaneous connections
- Dedicated apps for all devices
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No free trial
- Torrenting issues on American servers
- No 24/7 support
Jurisdiction
Switzerland
Servers
700+
Money-back guarantee
30 Days
Supported Apps
Works with
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO, Kodi
Pros
- Average speed
- 256-bit encryption
- No Streaming restrictions
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- 5 simultaneous connections
- Dedicated apps for most devices
- 3-day free trial or 30-day money-back
Cons
- Some logging of your data
- Slow ticket support
- Not good for torrenting
Conclusion
Overall, VPNs are an innovative and practical way of browsing the internet. You can stay protected from prying eyes or potential cyber attacks if a secure and stable VPN shields you. We recommend choosing an established and reliable VPN provider to improve your internet experience. Major VPN providers have a strong base of users who can vouch for the efficacy of their services. Besides, they have a lot at stake if there is a breach in their networks, so they will stay ahead to offer robust protection. Check the terms of service and privacy policy before signing up. It is wiser to be well aware than to be caught by surprise.
Related:
- Is Jailbreaking a FireStick Illegal?
- Is Kodi Legal and Safe to Use?
- Is Terrarium TV Legal and Safe to Use?
- Avast VPN for FireStick — How to Install, Set Up, and Stream Privately
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