While virtual private networks may conjure images of illegal activities and mysterious figures on thedark web, in reality, VPNs are currently legal to use in many countries, including India. SomeVPNsencrypt your connection to the internet, disguise your IP address, and prevent others, like the government or internet service providers (ISPs), from tracking your virtual whereabouts.
There are plenty of legitimate reasons to want this degree of privacy, but you should understand what’s considered legal and illegal while using a VPN.*It is the users' responsibility to identify whether their use of a VPNis legal (or not) and to check their country’s laws before using it.
Is VPN legal or illegal in India?
Every country has a different stance on VPNs, and not all see them as favorable. Currently, a handful of governments either regulate or outright banVPNs, which include countries like Belarus, China, Iraq, North Korea, Oman,Russia, and the U.A.E., to name a few. Still, others impose internet censorshiplaws, which makes using a VPN risky.
Depending on the country, governments may impose fines on both thecitizen and the VPNservice provider for using an unsanctioned VPN. Although using VPN is completelylegal in India, there are some cases where the government or local police havepunished people for using the service.1It’s better to check foryourself and not to visit legally banned sites while using VPN.
VPNs may be legal in some countries, cybercrime or infringement are not
One thing to remember is that VPN itself is legal but committing criminal acts or merely visiting sites that the government has strictly bannedis illegal. VPNs are legalized to prevent terrorist and criminal activities anddoing anything remotely close to those offences while using it would bepunishable. That may include downloading and selling copyrighted information,hacking into computers or networks without authorization, andcyberstalking. Additionally, using a VPN tocircumvent a website’s or app’s technological protection measures (such asgeo-locking) could violate the law in some countries, as well as the VPN’s andthe website’s Terms of Service.
Use common sense. Before signing up with a VPN provider, please read theTerms of Service and make sure you agree with them. The Terms will probably sayyou’re responsible for any illegal activity on your part. The VPN provider mayalso say it will report suspected fraud or illegal activity to law enforcement.Also, read the Terms and Conditions of any service you’re using, such asNetflix, making sure you’re not in breach of its terms while using a VPN.
Is private browsing a right?2
The call for a reasonable right to privacy has been simmering forseveral years. Until now, there are no official legislated rights regarding privatebrowsing in India. However, one can surf on a private browser unless theyviolate laws enlisted in the Information Technology Act (ITA) 2000.3
Why VPNs are used
VPNsare widely used bypeople and organizations looking for an additional layer of internet privacyprotection, and a solid VPN achieves that goal. Here are some typical reasonspeople use a VPN and features that make them useful.4
To use public Wi-Fi privately and safely
Public Wi-Fi providers don’t usually encrypt their internet connections,meaning tech-savvy criminals with the Wi-Fi password can eavesdrop on yourcyber browsing. But if you log into public Wi-Fi and then connect to a personalVPN that encrypts data, it will hide most of your private web traffic fromprying eyes.
To access content anywhere, as if you were at home
If you just can’t live without watching the latest episode of yourfavorite series while travelling, a VPN can help you access your content as ifyou were in your own family room. Even though you’re on the go, some VPNs allowyou to select a server in your home country. Check the Terms of Services foryour VPN and streaming website and the country's laws where you are traveling todetermine if your use presents a risk.
To maintain internet privacy
VPNs can offer some online privacy by stopping advertisers and otherthird parties from collecting information about you. If it’s a no-logVPN, even the service provider won’t track or log your online activities,which further increases your privacy.5
To bypass restricted networks at work or school
Many businesses and schools impose internet-browsing rules andregulations on their students and employees. You can consider using a VPN ifyou need to access certain materials for legal and reasonable cause. You mustcheck your company’s or school’s policies and use caution to make sure your usedoesn’t violate these policies or the law.
1https://www.tomsguide.com/features/are-vpns-legal-in-india
2https://in.norton.com/products/norton-secure-vpn
4https://in.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-secure-browsing-with-a-vpn-for-desktop-computers.html
5https://in.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-what-is-a-no-log-vpn.html
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