Are VPNs legal? Your 2025 guide 

Connecting to a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is legal in most countries, serving as a powerful way to secure your data and privacy on the web. Used by millions daily, VPNs mask your IP (Internet Protocol) address, encrypt online traffic, and give you private internet access. 

Yet, while VPN usage is perfectly safe in most places, some countries have restricted or outright banned VPN services. 

Which countries enforce VPN bans? Why are VPNs illegal there? And what does using a VPN entail in a state with internet censorship laws? Let’s get cracking. 

Disclaimer: This article is based on information freely accessible online as of January 2025 and is subject to change. It is not legal advice and should be read for informational purposes only.

Is it legal to use a VPN?

VPNs are legal in most countries, like the USA, Canada, Japan, the UK, and most of Europe and Latin America. However, VPNs are illegal in a handful of countries, such as North Korea, Turkmenistan, Belarus, and Iraq.

It’s worth knowing that VPNs are important tools for citizens and activists in regions with strict internet censorship laws. Oppressive governments or ISPs (Internet Service Providers) may restrict free speech online, blocking social media platforms, streaming services, and other content deemed offensive or harmful in the name of national security. 

A virtual private network is often an entirely legal option for people to gain safe, private internet access wherever they are.    

Countries where VPNs are illegal

While citizens in most countries enjoy easy access to VPNs to change their virtual location and enjoy a safe online experience, a handful of countries have questioned VPNs’ legal status, making the tools illegal or restricted.

Unfortunately, limiting freedom of speech is nothing new for some countries. Since VPN services protect the fundamental human right to privacy, authoritarian regimes are quick to impose restrictive VPN laws.

Below is a table outlining these controlling countries and their current VPN restrictions.

It’s worth noting that despite these bans and restrictions on virtual private networks, reports show that VPN popularity is surging in many of the above countries. Internet searches for VPNs are on the rise, and more citizens are finding ways to bypass VPN blocks. 

Are VPNs legal in Russia?

At the time of writing, VPNs as a whole are legal in Russia, but dozens of individual providers have been banned. In 2024, nearly 100 VPN apps were removed from Apple’s App Store because they were charged with “containing content illegal in Russia.”

However, since the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war, many people have used a VPN illegally to bypass state censorship.

Note that leading VPN service providers committed to protecting user privacy and online security have shut down their physical servers in Russia.

Are VPNs legal in India?

Using a VPN in India is completely legal, but there is a huge caveat attached to this. 

As of April 2022, India requires all VPNs to keep user data for five years. This includes usernames, phone numbers, and even activity logs. In other words, you can use an India-based VPN, but your privacy may be limited, and your online activity might be recorded. 

Maintaining a no-logs policy is impossible under the current laws, so most VPN service providers have moved their physical servers out of India.

With that said, Surfshark and other VPN services that don’t log your online activity offer virtual servers in India. These allow you to get an Indian IP address while using a VPN that doesn’t collect or store data about your activity.

How are VPN bans and laws enforced?

In countries with strict internet regulations, VPN laws are enforced through various methods, usually involving one or more of the following:

• Government-approved VPNs: some countries offer state-approved VPNs to encourage citizens to avoid using blocked services. Nevertheless, these often compromise privacy and security by monitoring and collecting user data;
• Fines and imprisonment: in countries with oppressive regimes, individuals caught using unauthorized VPNs can face hefty fines or prison sentences;
• Internet filtering and blocking: governments may resort to directly blocking known VPN IP addresses and ports to prevent citizens from using them;
• Server access requirements: authorities can require VPN providers to give them access to servers located in their country, violating any no-log policies the VPN companies may have;
• Deep packet inspection (DPI): DPI technology lets governments identify and block VPN traffic by analyzing individual packets of data to determine who is using a VPN and what kind of data is going in and out of a country. 

Can you get caught using a VPN?

Yes, third parties can detect VPN usage. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic but doesn’t hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. So, while ISPs can’t see what you’re doing online, they can see that your data is encrypted by a VPN. If VPN use is illegal in a particular country, an ISP may report this information to the relevant authorities.

Nevertheless, some VPN services have a solution to this issue. Surfshark, for instance, offers obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you’re using a VPN and that your internet traffic is encrypted. With obfuscation, it’s harder for surveillance entities to detect and block VPN usage — no one can tell you’re using a VPN unless they manually check your traffic patterns.

What could happen if you use a VPN illegally?

The punishments for using a VPN illegally vary from country to country. In some cases, you can receive a fine or have your internet connection cut. In more extreme cases, using a VPN in a country where it’s banned can lead to jail time.

As a rule of thumb, you should only use a VPN where it’s legal and only partake in lawful activities while connected to your chosen VPN provider.

Disclaimer: Please note that using Surfshark services for any illegal activities is strictly forbidden and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure that any use of Surfshark services for your particular activities conforms to all relevant laws and regulations, including those of any service providers and websites you access using Surfshark.

Why do people question VPNs?

Unfortunately, VPNs are sometimes seen as unreliable or untrustworthy. This perception is mostly influenced by the risky practices of some free VPN providers.

Free VPNs aren’t safe. They’ve been known to sell data to third parties, track your online activity, and even install malware on your devices. As a result, all VPN providers get a bad rap for things done by a select few.

Paid VPN providers such as Surfshark — which offers the best value for the price — go above and beyond to secure your data and privacy online, ensuring safe, unrestricted internet access.

VPNs are legal — almost everywhere

While some countries restrict or block VPNs, VPN use is perfectly legal in most of the world. A secure VPN is vital to browsing the internet as it’s meant to be: safe, private, and free.

Take your online security to the next level with a VPN like Surfshark — as long as it’s legal wherever you are.

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