Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, have emerged as an essential tool for secure web browsing. VPNs secure your connection over unsecured Wi-Fi by creating a tunnel of encryption that runs on top of your internet, allowing you to safely log in to your accounts, conduct bank transfers, and shop online without fear of snooping or tracking. An additional outer layer of encryption surrounds the “tunnel” so no one can see what you’re doing or the data you’re sharing.
This means using a VPN prevents others from dropping in on your browsing experience, including the government.
But there has been a lot of false information spread about Virtual Private Networks and their legality. While most nations consider using a VPN to be lawful, there are places where doing so could result in jail time.
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Are VPNs illegal?
Only nations with an authoritarian government or a tendency toward one are prohibited from using VPNs. VPNs are usually blocked because they give users access to content without surveillance. If you plan on traveling to those types of countries and using a VPN, expect problems if you still need to download the software before arriving.
And while VPNs are not illegal in places like Europe and America, there are methods to track your data if you’re suspected of committing a crime while using a Virtual Private Network.
Where are VPNs restricted?
Most totalitarian nations, like China, North Korea, and Turkmenistan, restrict Virtual Private Network use. These nations’ governments place restrictions on the press and the internet. As a result, social media and websites with critical news are frequently restricted for internet users in those nations.
Many citizens, tourists, foreigners, journalists, and whistleblowers utilize a VPN or proxy server to circumvent these restrictions and access the online content and services they need. They can all get around online censorship and anonymize their online data using a Virtual Private Network.
There are other places where VPNs are illegal for actual national security reasons. For example, to make it simpler to combat ISIS, Iraq opted to restrict secure connections. Sadly, this resulted in less access for the population. Through no choice of their own, they are compelled to forfeit some of their privacy for national security.
Streaming with VPNs
When used appropriately, Virtual Private Networks can be a valuable resource for hardcore streamers. For one, they allow you to download and upload content over any connection without sharing your username, password, and viewing history, all things hackers can use to track your online persona and launch attacks against you.
In addition, because you’re not providing your location information, any streaming service that is geo-location locked but accessible via VPN will also be available.
There are some downsides to using a VPN, though. First, most VPNs are app-based, so every device you stream from won’t necessarily benefit from having a VPN. And second, some of the benefits you get from sharing your IP address and browsing history are lost because your data is encrypted, like your profile information and ad preferences (no personalized ads, which can sometimes make the ads strange).
VPNs have pros and cons. For streamers, the biggest question is whether to sacrifice the conveniences of personalized ad experiences and suggested content for privacy and the ability to view content in regions that aren’t accessible to them.
Related: Best VPN In 2022: Stream Video From Anywhere