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You’ve probably been warned a million times that if you’re going to use the internet via anything besides a signal that you 100% trust, you really need to use a VPN. Without one, it’s just too easy for hackers to get into every type of account that you have on your phone, from your Facebook app to your Delta SkyMiles app to your banking app.

VPNs have the added bonus of making a server think you’re in a different country. This can be helpful if you’re trying to stream music (it worked for us – here’s how) or even video from another country.

Most countries allow residents and visitors to use a VPN to protect their online privacy and to access geo-restricted content. However, there are a few countries around the world where using one can be an issue, if not outright illegal.

Countries where VPNs are illegal

It’s probably not surprising that the 4 countries where VPNs are illegal are some of the most restrictive and secretive in the world.

Belarus

Belarus has banned VPNs since 2015, as their goal is to block technology that allows internet users to be anonymous. The Belarusian government is believed to use a variety of surveillance techniques, including deep packet inspection (DPI), to detect and block VPN traffic.

If you’re caught using a VPN in Belarus, you may be subject to fines.

Iraq

VPNs have been banned in Iraq since 2014. The Iraqi government says this ban is to keep terrorist organizations from influencing the public via social media. Interestingly, in something of a “Do as I say, not as I do,” move, Iraqi government officials are said to still use VPNs.

North Korea

It should be no surprise that in a country where its citizens aren’t even allowed to access foreign media (most people in North Korea don’t even have internet access [although visiting foreigners and those with special authorization do]), VPNs are illegal in North Korea.

North Korea does have its own intranet service; it’s called Kwangmyong. Not surprisingly, it’s fully controlled and monitored by the government and is closed off from the rest of the world.

It’s not known what the punishment is for using (well, attempting to use) a VPN in North Korea.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan banned VPNs in 2019. They also said to force their citizens to swear on the Quaran that they won’t use a VPN (wow, they’re not messing around, huh?).

The country has its own internet service provider, Turkmentelecom, which is the only authorized ISP in the country (surprise! LOL), and it’s set to block VPNs.

If you’re caught using a VPN in Turkmenistan, you may be subject to fines.

Countries where VPNs are restricted

In addition to the 4 countries where VPNs are illegal, there are 8 where their use is highly monitored and/or restricted.

China

You just knew that China was going to be on this list, right?

VPNs are legal in China. However, if one is used, it must follow local regulations on both backdoor access and censorship. You can be 100% certain that the government logs your data while you’re using a VPN in China.

In China, attempting to use an unauthorized VPN can result in a fine of up to 15,000 yuan (currently about $2,070).

Egypt

Egypt generally allows the usage of any VPN. However, the government will block any content that violates its moral standards (LGBTQIA+ content, websites that criticize the government, etc.). They also block voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) apps (i.e. FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc.) due to security concerns.

It’s also been suggested that the Egyptian government will actively track people – particularly those using public Wi-Fi hotspots and those using LGBTQIA+ dating websites (for the latter, you may be targeted and arrested).

India

In 2022, India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) announced a rule that requires all VPN providers to collect and report identifying data from their users for the next five years. As a result, many VPN providers have removed their servers from the country.

Other than that, VPN use is legal in India. However, the government is able to simply ask providers to go offline, and blackouts in specific areas are common, especially during times of protests.

Iran

VPNs are technically legal in Iran. However, you can only use a VPN provider that’s registered and approved by the government. Since one of the main reasons for VPN usage was to access government-blocked sites like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, using one of the approved VPNs is kind of useless since the approved VPNs still don’t have access to those sites.

Things could get worse. In 2022, a bill came up that would have made VPNs and proxy services illegal in Iran. The “User Protection Bill” didn’t pass but has been recently resurrected.

If you’re caught using an unauthorized VPN in Iran, the punishment can be upwards of 91 days to a full year in jail.

Oman

Since 2010, Oman has banned all VPNs except those allowed by the Sultanate. Along with that, ISPs are required to ban content that’s not in alignment with Oman’s moral standards (i.e. pornography and drug use, among others). The government has also been known to hack and eliminate content that it deems to be a threat to national security or public order.

Be aware that your online activity will be constantly monitored in Oman. If you’re caught using a VPN to access restricted content, you could be fined as much as $1,300.

Pakistan

It’s currently legal to use a VPN in Pakistan; however, since October 2022, the law says that it must be registered with the Pakistani Telecoms Authority and used for legally permissible reasons.

That being said, thousands of people use unregistered VPNs without getting in trouble.

Russia

Once again, I bet you just knew Russia was going to be on the list ;-).

VPNs are technically legal in Russia, but their use is somewhat restricted. All VPN services must operate within the “legal framework” approved by the government. According to Russian law, all VPNs must also block access to banned websites and online services. Those who don’t follow these rules will be blocked, as they’re considered a threat to the country.

Those caught using an unauthorized VPN will be fined.

Türkiye

VPNs are legal in Türkiye, but the Turkish government has become more and more aggressive in controlling online activity in recent years. For example, they blocked 10 VPN providers in 2016 and 10 more in 2023.

So you can use an approved VPN, but the government may block any website or content it doesn’t like (i.e. streaming websites, news platforms and many forms of social media), as well as specific IP addresses.

UAE

VPNs are legal in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but the government heavily regulates them. The country has strict internet censorship laws to block pornography and political dissent.

If you are caught using a “fraudulent computer network protocol” to commit a crime (such as defying their censorship laws) you could receive a fine or temporary imprisonment.

Countries where there had previously been VPN limitations

There are 3 countries that have anti-VPN laws on the books in the past, but have since repealed them. Please note that for 2 of the 3, there’s a good chance they could be made illegal again at any given moment.

Jordan

VPNs are currently legal in Jordan. However the Jordanian government has been known to temporarily block them in specific areas during times of social unrest, such as the Spring of 2021. Several major VPNs were also blocked after users in Jordan used them to access Clubhouse, an audio sharing app.

Uganda

Uganda made VPN use illegal in 2021 in an effort to prevent people from circumventing its social media restrictions and taxes. However, the country has since lifted most of these restrictions.

Access to some social media sites and instant messaging remains illegal in Uganda, but you can now use a VPN to access these sites.

Venezuela

VPNs are still legal in Venezuela, but the government has been known to block them from time to time. ISPs were found to have blocked several popular VPNs in 2018 as well as in August 2020.

Countries where there could be VPN limitations in the future

Myanmar

Myanmar’s military took over the country in 2021.

In January 2022, Myanmar’s military junta proposed a new cybersecurity law that was intended to target opponents of the new regime (read: journalists, activists and ordinary citizens who dare to criticize the military regime or call for democratic reforms). Under such a law, officials would be able to stop people on the street to check their phones for VPNs and other privacy software used to access banned sites and apps. Anyone found in possession of unauthorized VPN software would spend up to three years in prison and fines of up to 5 million kyats (currently about $2,350).

The proposal has not yet been put into effect, but there’s still a threat that it could, should the junta gain more control of Myanmar.

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