Uganda’s government blocks all VPN traffic. This is a result of the Ugandan government’s 2018 implementation of a tax on social media use. Then, its citizens began employing VPNs to avoid paying taxes.
The widespread usage of VPNs could give the impression that they are unrestricted globally. However, using a VPN is prohibited in a number of nations.
Many nations have outright outlawed the use of VPNs, while others have placed restrictions on it. Now let’s examine these nations.
Countries where using a VPN is punishable:
1. China
Although VPN use is not entirely forbidden in China, locals are only permitted to use VPN services that have been authorized by the government. Such VPNs are subject to government interference at any time. And that really negates the point of utilizing a VPN. Additionally, you risk being fined or imprisoned if you’re found using an unlicensed VPN in China. In China, using an unlicensed VPN is punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
2. Turkmenistan
Internet usage is subject to tight regulations in Turkmenistan. It follows that it is not surprising that they will also be taking VPNs seriously. Turkmenistan started to block VPN services in 2019. Then in 2021, the government imposed a requirement that users swear on the Koran that they would never use a VPN before connecting to the Internet. In Turkmenistan, using a VPN is punishable by fine and arrest.
3. Belarus
The use of all forms of internet manipulation tools, including VPNs, proxies, and the Tor browser, was outright forbidden in Belarus in 2015. In other words, no citizen of the nation is permitted to browse the web secretly.
4. Turkey
In addition to Tor Browser, 10 VPN companies were outlawed by the Turkish government in 2016. According to reports, the choice was made to safeguard the nation’s security and combat terrorism. However, VPN use is not entirely forbidden in Turkey. Numerous popular VPNs, like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, are still allowed to use inside the nation.
6. North Korea
Technology rules in North Korea are more stringent than in others. Therefore, it is not unexpected that using a VPN there is entirely forbidden. However, it is asserted that unauthorized use of a VPN in North Korea may result in incarceration. However, short-term visitors can use a VPN in the nation without running afoul of any local laws. In actuality, North Koreans do not often have access to the Internet.
7. Uganda
Uganda’s government blocks all VPN traffic. This is as a result of the Ugandan government’s 2018 implementation of a tax on social media use. Then, its citizens began employing VPNs to avoid paying taxes. The Ugandan government did, however, repeal this statute in 2021. However, citizens of the nation continue to use VPNs to unblock websites, communicate in secret, and conceal their online identities. The Ugandan government, meanwhile, has threatened to detain VPN users.
8. Russia
The use of VPNs began to soar globally in 2017. The Russian authorities then began to outlaw VPN service providers one by one. The Russian government has a strict position on using the Internet. They are known to do more and have already blacklisted more than a dozen VPN companies. The usage of VPNs and proxies is absolutely prohibited in the nation. In addition, using the Tor Browser is totally prohibited in the nation.
Corporate VPNs are still permitted in Russia, though. However, according to President Putin, other VPN services shouldn’t let users access websites that are blocked by the authorities.
9. United Arab Emirates
After the Cybercrime Act was amended in 2016, using VPNs became prohibited in the UAE. Encryption is not well received by the UAE government, and the way VPNs operate is now viewed as illegal in the nation. Therefore, using a VPN in the UAE may get you fined or possibly put you in jail. Additionally, the fine is fairly substantial. It may exceed $1 lakh in rare circumstances. However, the government asserts that there are acceptable uses for VPNs. However, there is a lot of uncertainty around this “legal” matter.
In certain regions, VPNs are still quite debatable. Although most nations across the world utilize VPNs often. Yet more than a billion people still lack access to them on a legal basis.
