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<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en"><head><meta charSet="utf-8" data-next-head=""/><title data-next-head="">VPN Demand Statistics: VPN Demand Surges Around the World</title><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no" data-next-head=""/><meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge" data-next-head=""/><link href="https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net" rel="preconnect" data-next-head=""/><link href="https://www.googletagmanager.com" rel="preconnect" data-next-head=""/><link href="https://www.google-analytics.com" rel="preconnect" data-next-head=""/><link href="https://cdn.debugbear.com" rel="preconnect" data-next-head=""/><link href="https://stats.g.doubleclick.net" rel="dns-prefetch" crossorigin="anonymous" data-next-head=""/><link href="https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net" rel="preconnect" data-next-head=""/><link href="https://www.google.com" rel="preconnect" data-next-head=""/><link rel="alternate" hrefLang="en" href="https://www.top10vpn.com/research/vpn-demand-statistics/" data-next-head=""/><link rel="alternate" hrefLang="x-default" href="https://www.top10vpn.com/research/vpn-demand-statistics/" data-next-head=""/><meta name="description" content="This live tracker documents VPN demand around the world and provides context for these increases. It contains historical VPN demand data from 2020 onwards." data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:description" content="This live tracker documents VPN demand around the world and provides context for these increases. It contains historical VPN demand data from 2020 onwards." data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:image" content="https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2021/02/FB_image.jpg" data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:title" content="VPN Demand Statistics: VPN Demand Surges Around the World" data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:type" content="website" data-next-head=""/><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.top10vpn.com/research/vpn-demand-statistics/" data-next-head=""/><meta name="robots" content="index,follow" data-next-head=""/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" data-next-head=""/><meta name="twitter:site" content="@top10vpn" data-next-head=""/><meta name="twitter:title" content="VPN Demand Statistics: VPN Demand Surges Around the World" data-next-head=""/><meta name="twitter:description" content="This live tracker documents VPN demand around the world and provides context for these increases. 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itemType="https://schema.org/BreadcrumbList" class="jsx-912259115 "><li itemProp="itemListElement" itemscope="" itemType="https://schema.org/ListItem" class="jsx-912259115"><meta itemProp="position" content="1" class="jsx-912259115"/><a itemProp="item" class="bc-logo" href="https://www.top10vpn.com/"><meta itemProp="name" content="Home" class="jsx-912259115"/><img src="/static/images/logo-simplified-dark-1x1_ratio.svg" width="16" height="16" alt="Top10VPN" class="jsx-912259115"/></a></li><li itemProp="itemListElement" itemscope="" itemType="https://schema.org/ListItem" class="jsx-912259115 inner-slice"><meta itemProp="position" content="2" class="jsx-912259115"/><a href="https://www.top10vpn.com/research/" itemProp="item" class="jsx-912259115"><span itemProp="name" class="jsx-912259115">Research</span></a></li><li itemProp="itemListElement" itemscope="" itemType="https://schema.org/ListItem" class="jsx-912259115 inner-slice"><meta itemProp="position" content="3" class="jsx-912259115"/><a href="https://www.top10vpn.com/research/vpn/" itemProp="item" class="jsx-912259115"><span itemProp="name" class="jsx-912259115">VPN Software</span></a></li><li itemProp="itemListElement" itemscope="" itemType="https://schema.org/ListItem" class="jsx-912259115"><a href="https://www.top10vpn.com/research/vpn-demand-statistics/" itemProp="item" class="jsx-912259115"><span itemProp="name" class="jsx-912259115">VPN Demand Statistics</span></a><meta itemProp="position" content="4" class="jsx-912259115"/></li></ol></div></div><div class="jsx-3296901116 ut-header blue"><div class="jsx-3296901116 container-row"><h1 class="jsx-3296901116 heading-1">VPN Demand Surges Around the World</h1><p class="jsx-3296901116">This live tracker documents VPN demand spikes around the world and provides context for these increases.</p><div class="jsx-3130565390 author-header"><div class="jsx-3130565390 date-wtu-container"><time dateTime="2025-01-19T14:57:22.000Z" class="jsx-3130565390 author-updated"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="jsx-3130565390 icon-tick"><use xlink:href="#svg-tick" class="jsx-3130565390"></use></svg><span class="jsx-3130565390">Updated Jan 19, 2025</span></time></div><div class="jsx-3130565390 authors-grid"><div class="jsx-3130565390 main-author"><div class="jsx-3130565390 author-photo"><img alt="Simon Migliano" data-slug="simonmigliano" width="32" height="32" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent" srcSet="/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top10vpn.com%2Fimages%2F2019%2F05%2Fsimon-migliano-headshot.jpg&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 1x, /_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top10vpn.com%2Fimages%2F2019%2F05%2Fsimon-migliano-headshot.jpg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 2x" src="/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top10vpn.com%2Fimages%2F2019%2F05%2Fsimon-migliano-headshot.jpg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75"/></div><div class="jsx-3130565390 author-name"><strong class="jsx-3130565390">Simon Migliano</strong></div><button aria-label="About authors" class="jsx-3130565390 author-toggle"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" class="jsx-3130565390 icon-chevron-down"><use xlink:href="#svg-chevron" class="jsx-3130565390"></use></svg></button></div><div class="jsx-3130565390 author-bio"><p class="jsx-3130565390 bio-authors">Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more. <a href="/about/vpn-experts/simonmigliano/">Read full bio</a></p></div></div></div></div></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><div class="jsx-3067576299 hero-container"><picture class="jsx-3067576299"><source srcSet="https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2022/09/VPN-Demand-Surges-Around-The-World2.jpg" media="(min-width: 500px)" width="1180" height="800" class="jsx-3067576299"/><source srcSet="/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top10vpn.com%2Fimages%2F2022%2F09%2FVPN-Demand-Surges-Around-The-World2.jpg&amp;w=750&amp;q=60 1x, /_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top10vpn.com%2Fimages%2F2022%2F09%2FVPN-Demand-Surges-Around-The-World2.jpg&amp;w=1500&amp;q=60 2x" media="(max-width: 499px)" width="667" height="376" class="jsx-3067576299"/><img src="https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2022/09/VPN-Demand-Surges-Around-The-World2.jpg" alt="VPN Demand Statistics header illustration showing a rise in demand for VPNs to circumvent internet censorship" loading="eager" class="jsx-3067576299 hero-image"/></picture></div></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 content-wrapper-jumplinks"><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row ut-wrapper"><div class="jsx-3067576299 ut-row"><section class="jsx-2580530280 block-text"><div><p><em><strong>First published Feb 4, 2021</strong>. Last updated to include latest data on VPN demand following the TikTok ban in the U.S.</em></p> </div></section></div></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 ut-jumplink"><aside class="jsx-3768225127"><div class="jsx-3768225127 jumplinks"><div class="jsx-3768225127 toc-mobile"><button class="jsx-3768225127"><span class="jsx-3768225127">Table of Contents</span><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" class="jsx-3768225127 icon-chevron-down"><use xlink:href="#svg-chevron" class="jsx-3768225127"></use></svg></button></div><ol class="jsx-3768225127 main-list"><li class="jsx-3768225127 "><a href="#introduction" class="jsx-3768225127 ">Introduction</a></li><li class="jsx-3768225127 "><a href="#vpn-demand-surges-in-2025" class="jsx-3768225127 ">2025</a></li><li class="jsx-3768225127 "><a href="#vpn-demand-surges-in-2024" class="jsx-3768225127 ">2024</a></li><li class="jsx-3768225127 "><a href="#vpn-demand-surges-in-2023" class="jsx-3768225127 ">2023</a></li><li class="jsx-3768225127 "><a href="#vpn-demand-surges-in-2022" class="jsx-3768225127 ">2022</a></li><li class="jsx-3768225127 "><a href="#vpn-demand-surges-in-2021" class="jsx-3768225127 ">2021</a></li><li class="jsx-3768225127 "><a href="#vpn-demand-surges-in-2020" class="jsx-3768225127 ">2020</a></li><li class="jsx-3768225127 "><a href="#methodology" class="jsx-3768225127 ">Methodology</a></li></ol></div></aside></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 ut-wrapper"><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="introduction" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">Introduction</h2><div><p>Whenever governments around the world try to control the populace by disrupting internet access, people turn to <a href="https://www.top10vpn.com/vpn-explained/">Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)</a> in order to circumvent restrictions. </p> <p>These anti-censorship tools are often the only way for people affected by social media blocks to communicate with each other during the upheavals that often accompany such measures.</p> <p>We routinely monitor fluctuations in global VPN demand as part of our day-to-day work. We will use that data to update this page whenever we identify a significant surge that correlates with social or political events.</p> <p>Unless noted otherwise, our method for calculating demand increases is to compare the elevated period with the average over the previous 30 days.</p> <p>We also <a href="/reviews/">investigate and test individual VPNs</a> that benefit most from these surges in demand, to identify potential privacy and security issues.</p> <p>While free VPN apps are naturally popular during government-mandated internet restrictions, we urge caution and advise using only a <a href="/best-vpn/free/">trustworthy free VPN</a> or, whenever possible, a <a href="/best-vpn/">best-in-class (paid) VPN</a>.</p> <p class="spacer"> </p></div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="vpn-demand-surges-in-2025" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">VPN Demand Surges in 2025</h2><div><h3>U.S.</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 827%<br> <b>Date:</b> Jan 19</p> <p>VPN demand spiked massively in the U.S. on Jan 19 as TikTok shut down its U.S. servers in response to a government ban.</p> <p>Demand for VPNs increased 827% in the early hours of the morning as U.S. TikTok users found themselves unable to access their accounts and were met with error messages.</p> <p>This is an especially notable uplift given the strong baseline level of VPN demand in the U.S.</p> <p>It appears, however, that VPNs are not currently able to easily bypass the TikTok ban. On social media, TikTok users complained that VPNs weren’t working for them unless they were part of complex workarounds.<sup><a id="fn-37" href="#footnote-37">[37]</a></sup></p> </div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="vpn-demand-surges-in-2024" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">VPN Demand Surges in 2024</h2><div><h3 id="pakistan-nov-24">Pakistan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 342%<br> <b>Date:</b> Nov 24-Dec 1</p> <p>VPN demand peaked at more than four times higher than normal in Pakistan following a further tightening of social media restrictions.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services initially increased by 102% in Pakistan on November 24 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior.</p> <p>VPN demand intensified over the following days, at 253% above the baseline on November 25 and up 342% on November 26.</p> <p>Demand remained elevated until Nov 29th when it returned to baseline until December 1 when it surged again, with a 97% increase.</p> <p>The initial surge followed reports that WhatsApp had been targeted by the authorities, preventing media sharing. </p> <p>This was followed by widespread social media blocks and internet throttling on December 1.</p> <h3>Mozambique</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 2,072%<br> <b>Date:</b> Oct 26 – Nov 5 (ongoing)</p> <p>In the wake of a social media ban followed by rolling internet blackouts, demand for VPN services in Mozambique has surged as high as 2,072% above average.</p> <p>Authorities imposed the internet restrictions following election demonstrations in the southern African nation.</p> <p>VPN demand initially increased by 195% on Oct 26 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior as social media access was cut.</p> <p>Demand for VPNs truly began to surge however on October 30 when it increased by 513% compared to the previous average. It was higher still on October 31, when it was up 2,072%.</p> <p>Since then demand has remained very high, up 1,304% each day on average compared to the baseline, as social media access remains intermittent.</p> <p>The introduction of curfew-style internet blackouts on November 4 did little to dampen VPN demand in Mozambique. In fact it has intensified it, with demand soaring by 1,724% that day, which was almost double the day before.</p> <h3>Mauritius</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 24,001%<br> <b>Date:</b> Nov 1</p> <p>Demand for VPN services soared in Mauritius on November 1 following a social media blackout imposed by the authorities in the lead-up to the country’s general election.</p> <p>The internet restrictions were initially set to last from November 1-11, the day after the poll, in a bid to prevent further social media posts about a wiretapping scandal that has rocked the country.<sup><a id="fn-36" href="#footnote-36">[36]</a></sup></p> <p>Demand for VPN services, which allow users to circumvent these kinds of social media blocks, increased by 24,001% compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior.</p> <p>Even as authorities lifted the ban early on November 2, VPN demand was still 3,073% higher than average.</p> <p><i><b>Nov 2 UPDATE</b>: The degree of the VPN demand increase for Nov 1 has risen from our last update of 16,107% to the calculation above based on the full day’s data, now that it is available.</i></p> <p><i><b>Nov 1 1330 (GMT) UPDATE</b>: The size of the VPN demand surge has risen from our initial report of 9,547% earlier today to the current figure above. We will update this page over the course of the day with further increases as new data becomes available.</i></p> <h3>Turkey</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 100%<br> <b>Date:</b> October 23</p> <p>Following a wide-ranging social media ban in Turkey, demand for VPN services has doubled in the country.</p> <p>VPN demand surged by 100% on October 23 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior.</p> <p>The spike follows the decision by the Turkish authorities to block access to X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Telegram and TikTok in the wake of an attack on the headquarters of Turkey’s aerospace and defence company, near the capital Ankara.</p> <p>This spike in VPN demand comes despite the Turkish government blocking many popular VPN services.</p> <h3>Alabama, U.S.</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 234%<br> <b>Date:</b> September 26 (ongoing)</p> <p>Demand for VPNs more than tripled in Alabama as it became the latest U.S. state to be blocked by Pornhub because of its new age verification laws that came in on October 1.<sup><a id="fn-35" href="#footnote-35">[35]</a></sup></p> <p>The adult website blocked access to visitors from Alabama in advance of that date, on September 26, prompting an immediate increase of 107% in demand for VPN services compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days.</p> <p>VPN demand intensified over the following days, peaking on September 27 at 247% above average. Demand for the anti-censorship software, which allows users to spoof their locations when visiting websites, has remained at almost 200% above average since then.</p> <h3>Brazil</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 506%<br> <b>Date:</b> August 31</p> <p>VPN demand in Brazil surged to more than six times the daily average after social media platform X (Twitter) was banned in the country.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services increased by 467% on August 30 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. The following day (August 31), VPN demand was even higher at 506% above that daily average.</p> <p>The surge in demand came in the wake of a court decision upholding the ban, which also stated that individuals or businesses found using VPNs to access X could be fined.</p> <p>The ruling also demanded that Apple and Google remove the social media platform from its app stores and block its use on iOS and Android devices.<sup><a id="fn-34" href="#footnote-34">[34]</a></sup></p> <p>In the days since the initial spike, VPN demand has remained very high on average at 260% above the baseline.</p> <h3>Brazil</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 88%<br> <b>Date:</b> August 17-19</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Brazil increased in the wake of a censorship row that has led social media company X (Twitter) to close its offices in the country, although the platform remains accessible there.<sup><a id="fn-32" href="#footnote-32">[32]</a></sup></p> <p>VPN demand increased by 58% on August 17, the day of the announcement, compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. Demand was higher again on August 18, at 88% above that baseline. On August 19, demand was 48% higher than usual.</p> <p>The rise in VPN demand came amid speculation that Apple may have be preventing App Store users in the country from downloading certain VPN iOS apps.<sup><a id="fn-33" href="#footnote-33">[33]</a></sup></p> <p>Our tests showed that at least 30 of the most popular VPNs on the App Store were not available to download on August 19, however it appears to been a temporary issue as the apps were installing as normal by the following day. View the <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h2aHmGFtcq8t0OZvXOMvRO4e4hXPMmbMa6BTDQZCEO0/edit?gid=0#gid=0" rel="noopener" target="_blank">full list of affected VPN apps</a>.</p> <h3>Venezuela</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 363%<br> <b>Date:</b> August 8-15</p> <p>VPN demand in Venezuela has surged after the nation’s president announced a 10-day ban of X (previously Twitter) in the wake of disputed presidential elections in the country.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services immediately jumped by 201% on August 8 compared to the 28 days prior. Demand was higher still the following day, at 363% above the prior daily average before falling back a little to 221% above the base line on August 10.</p> <p>On August 11, VPN demand remained more than twice the baseline (118%) as Twitter/X continued to be inaccessible in Venezuela, however the surge in demand began to ebb over the following days and was within the normal range by August 15.</p> <h3>Turkey</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 301%<br> <b>Date:</b> August 2-4 (ongoing)</p> <p>Turkish authorities cut access to Instagram on August 2, prompting demand for VPN services to immediately increase by 268% compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior.</p> <p>The surge in VPN demand was stronger still on August 3, up 301% compared to the prior period. While VPN demand backed off a little the following day, it remained 250% above the baseline.</p> <p>Turkish authorities have not given an official reason for blocking Instagram, however the disruption comes in the wake of government criticism of Meta’s censorship of the platform.<sup><a id="fn-31" href="#footnote-31">[31]</a></sup></p> <h3>Bangladesh</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 7,043%<br> <b>Date:</b> July 18-24</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Bangladesh has surged massively after internet access was partially restored in the country following a five-day internet shutdown.</p> <p>VPN demand immediately spiked by 657% on July 23 compared to the daily average of the 28 days prior to the internet blackout. This increase is all the more significant as it was recorded during the few remaining hours of the day as the country started to come back online in the evening with fixed broadband access only.</p> <p>Increased VPN demand accelerated the next day (July 24), rocketing by 7,043% compared to before the internet disruptions.</p> <p>This huge increase came even though the mobile internet used by most Bangladeshis was still offline. Only a small percentage of the population has access to the restored fixed broadband services.<sup><a id="fn-30" href="#footnote-30">[30]</a></sup></p> <p>Bangladeshis rushed to download VPNs on July 18 before mobile internet access was cut in response to student demonstrations, driving demand up by 635% compared to the previous daily average.</p> <p>During the internet shutdown, VPN demand dropped to zero, as the nation was plunged into a communications blackout.</p> <p>VPN demand started to increase on July 16 as authorities began to disrupt access to social media platforms, such as Facebook and WhatsApp before surging when internet restrictions intensified as part of a wider crackdown.<sup><a id="fn-29" href="#footnote-29">[29]</a></sup></p> <h3>Kenya</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 534%<br> <b>Date:</b> June 25</p> <p>VPN demand surged by 534% on June 25 in Kenya compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days after internet access was severely disrupted as major demonstrations took place across the country.</p> <p>Internet access was reportedly interrupted and slow, while social media platforms, including X (Twitter), were also only intermittently accessible.</p> <p>At the time of publication, Kenyan authorities had yet to take responsibility for the internet shutdown.</p> <p>The day before, the government had announced that there were no plans to cut internet access during the planned demonstrations. </p> <p>Kenyan ISP Safaricom blamed the internet shutdown on damage to undersea cables, however that claim was contradicted by the continuing availability of other ISPs, such as Airtel, that would have been also knocked offline in such a scenario.<sup><a id="fn-28" href="#footnote-28">[28]</a></sup></p> <p>The internet disruptions also affected neighboring countries, including Uganda where VPN demand also rose by 61% on June 25, along with Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda, where demand for VPN services remained flat.</p> <h3 id="myanmar-24">Myanmar</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 2,333% (peak) / 1,090% (av.)<br> <b>Date:</b> May 30 ongoing</p> <p>Since the end of May, authorities in Myanmar have been enforcing a VPN crackdown to prevent citizens circumventing the various blocks on social media and messaging platforms that have been in place since 2021.<sup><a id="fn-27" href="#footnote-27">[27]</a></sup></p> <p>Demand for VPN services immediately began to surge on May 29 when it doubled compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days. VPN demand skyrocketed 2,333% on May 30 compared to that prior period and has been on average 1,090% higher than normal since then.</p> <p>The increase in demand is due to people in Myanmar being forced to rotate through multiple VPNs as the authorities have yet to completely block all VPN services in the country. </p> <p>The following graph shows the increase in daily VPN demand compared to the daily average prior to the VPN ban.</p> <div id="attachment_1544650" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1544650" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1544650 size-full" src="/assets/2024/07/VPN-Demand-Myanmar-July-2024.png" alt="Graph showing VPN demand increases in Myanmar since the end of May, 2024" width="800" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-1544650" class="wp-caption-text">Graph showing VPN demand increases in Myanmar since the end of May, 2024.</p></div> <h3>Indonesia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 373%<br> <b>Date:</b> April 29</p> <p>Demand for VPNs in Indonesia surged by 373% compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior on April 29.</p> <p>This large increase does not appear to have been prompted by any specific internet shutdown, as no new significant restrictions had been observed at the time of publication.</p> <p>It’s possible that the surge in VPN demand could have been caused by fears that social media could be restricted in the wake of the second eruption of Mount Ruang volcano in two weeks on April 30.</p> <p>Another possibility is that Indonesians might be trying to use VPNs to access restricted platforms, such as TikTok or Reddit’s <code>/r/indonesia</code> group.</p> <p>We will update this page as more information becomes available.</p> <h3>Brazil</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 361%<br> <b>Date:</b> April 07 (ongoing)</p> <p>Demand for VPN apps rose by 151% on Sunday after Elon Musk said X (Twitter) would defy government orders to ban several popular accounts in Brazil. The move sparked concerns that the platform could be blocked in the country, with Musk urging people to download VPN apps to retain access. </p> <p>The following day, VPN demand rose by 361% compared to the average. By April 9, the demand decreased slightly but was still 198% above average.</p> <div id="attachment_1452223" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1452223" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1452223 size-full" src="/assets/2024/04/VPN-Demand-Brazil-0424.png" alt="Changes in VPN demand in Brazil compared to the 30-day average prior to April 7,2024" width="800" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-1452223" class="wp-caption-text">Changes in VPN demand in Brazil compared to the 30-day average prior to April 7, 2024.</p></div> <p>Although no country-wide restrictions have yet been recorded, we will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days. </p> <h3>Texas, U.S.</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 275%<br> <b>Date:</b> March 14-18</p> <p>Texas has become the latest U.S. state to enforce new laws requiring adult websites to verify the age of users visiting from that location. Demand for VPN services increased almost four-fold on March 15, jumping 275% compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior, in the wake of a court decision allowing the law to come into force. Demand remained almost as high (252%) on March 16 compared to the average. By March 17, VPN demand in Texas had softened slightly but was still 169% above average.</p> <h3>Pakistan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 131%<br> <b>Date:</b> February 19 (ongoing)</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Pakistan more than doubled on February 19 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior as the authorities blocked Twitter.</p> <p>VPN demand remained almost as high the following day when it was 91% higher than average.</p> <p>As the graph below shows, demand for VPN services in Pakistan has fluctuated in the days since, with two days as high as 80% above average.</p> <div id="attachment_1404662" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1404662" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1404662 size-full" src="/assets/2024/02/VPN-Demand-Pakistan-2080224.png" alt="Changes in VPN demand in Pakistan compared to the 28-day average" width="800" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-1404662" class="wp-caption-text">Changes in VPN demand in Pakistan compared to the 28-day average.</p></div> <p>This increase is especially notable as VPN demand in Pakistan was already elevated, due to internet restrictions imposed in the period around the recent elections.</p> <h3>Senegal</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 162%<br> <b>Date:</b> February 5</p> <p>VPN demand in Senegal increased by 162% on February 5 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. This increase in demand for VPN services in Senegal as authorities cut mobile internet access in the country.</p> <p>The internet blackout came in the wake of mounting opposition to the postponement of presidential elections, originally scheduled for February 25, which had been announced two days earlier.</p> <p>VPN demand increased by 74% immediately following the announcement of the postponement.</p> <p>While a VPN can’t help in the event of an internet blackout, the memory will remain fresh in Senegal of social media restrictions in June 2023 that sparked a record-breaking <a href="#senegal-2023">surge in VPN demand</a> of over 60,000% that could be imposed once more to quash opposition. </p> <h3>Pakistan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 301%<br> <b>Date:</b> January 20</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Pakistan surged four times higher than average as the government again severely throttled access to all major social media platforms during an online event held by the opposition.<sup><a id="fn-26" href="#footnote-26">[26]</a></sup></p> <p>It is the second time these kinds of restrictions have been applied in the last two weeks and VPN demand in Pakistan remained higher than average in the days between the two social media shutdowns.</p> <p>VPN demand increased by 301% on January 20 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior to the January 7 surge, which followed severe restrictions on access to social media platforms X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.</p> <div id="attachment_1331873" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1331873" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1331873 size-full" src="/assets/2024/01/VPN_Demand_Pakistan_Jan_2024.jpg" alt="Increases in VPN demand in Pakistan in January 2024" width="800" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-1331873" class="wp-caption-text">Increases in VPN demand in Pakistan in January 2024.</p></div> <p>Pakistan authorities previously blocked the same social media platforms for seven hours around the time of an earlier online opposition event on December 17, which led to a similar surge of 229% in VPN demand in Pakistan.</p> <h3>Pakistan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 235%<br> <b>Date:</b> January 7</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Pakistan more than tripled as authorities blocked multiple social media platforms ahead of a virtual fundraising event held by the opposition to launch its election campaign.<sup><a id="fn-25" href="#footnote-25">[25]</a></sup></p> <p>VPN demand increased by 235% on January 7 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior in the wake of severe restrictions on access to X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.</p> <p>Pakistan authorities previously blocked the same social media platforms for seven hours around the time of an earlier online opposition event on December 17, which led to a similar surge of 229% in VPN demand in Pakistan.</p> <h3>North Carolina &amp; Montana, U.S.</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b></p> <ul> <li>North Carolina: 266% (peak)</li> <li>Montana: 482% (peak)</li> </ul> <p><b>Date:</b> December 28 (ongoing)</p> <p>North Carolina and Montana both passed new age verification laws last year, imposing restrictions on people looking to access adult material online. The laws came into effect on January 1 2024, leading to a surge in VPN demand in both states on December 28, which has continued into the new year.</p> <p>In Montana, demand peaked on December 29 at 482% higher than the daily average over the previous 28 days, while on the same day in North Carolina, demand was 266% higher than average.</p> <p>In both states, demand for VPN services <b>began to increase again on January 2</b>, reversing a slight downward trend following the initial peak. In Montana, it was 386% higher on average on January 2 while in North Carolina, demand was 229% higher on the same date.</p> <p>The average daily increase in VPN demand in Montana since December 28 has been 172%. In North Carolina, it has been up by 113%. While VPN demand dipped to just below average for a couple of days mid-month, it has since begun to climb significantly once more.</p> <div id="attachment_1335788" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1335788" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1335788 size-full" src="/assets/2024/01/VPN-Demand-Montana-N-Carolina_updated_2.png" alt="Chart showing the increase in VPN demand in Montana and North Carolina, U.S compared to the daily average prior to December 28, 2023" width="800" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-1335788" class="wp-caption-text">Chart showing the increase in VPN demand in Montana and North Carolina, U.S compared to the daily average prior to December 28, 2023.</p></div> </div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="vpn-demand-surges-in-2023" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">VPN Demand Surges in 2023</h2><div><h3>Iraq</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 72%<br> <b>Date:</b> August 6</p> <p>Authorities in Iraq blocked access to the Telegram messaging app on August 6 over what it claimed were national security concerns. The Iraqi telecoms ministry also accused Telegram, which is very popular in the country, of mishandling users’ personal data.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services immediately surged by 72% on August 6 compared to the daily average over the previous 30 days.</p> <p>ISPs in Iraq blocked access to Telegram via TCP/IP interference. This is done by making a specific IP address unreachable or injecting TCP RST packets during the connection between the client and target IP. TCP/IP-level blocks can be circumvented by using a VPN. </p> <p>A government-owned network also showed evidence of BGP hijacking. </p> <h3 id="senegal-2023">Senegal</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 60,399%<br> <b>Date:</b> June 1 (ongoing)</p> <p>VPN demand in Senegal rose by over 60,000% on June 2 compared to the daily average after the government restricted access to social media platforms and messaging services. It is the single largest increase in VPN demand by some distance that we have ever recorded.</p> <p>A government official said social media platforms had been blocked to prevent the “dissemination of hate and subversive messages”.</p> <p>On July 31, VPN demand rose again by 966% after the government imposed restrictions on mobile internet access, again offering the same excuse for doing so. </p> <p>The following table lists the daily increases in VPN demand in Senegal compared to the 28-day daily average prior to the restrictions:</p> <table class="table-default table-stacked table-1col_left-rest_centre"> <tbody> <tr> <th>Date</th> <th>VPN Demand Increase</th> </tr> <tr> <td data-header="Date">Thursday, 1 June 2023</td> <td data-header="VPN Demand Increase">8,197%</td> </tr> <tr> <td data-header="Date">Friday, 2 June 2023</td> <td data-header="VPN Demand Increase">60,399%</td> </tr> <tr> <td data-header="Date">Saturday, 3 June 2023</td> <td data-header="VPN Demand Increase">18,241%</td> </tr> <tr> <td data-header="Date">Sunday, 4 June 2023</td> <td data-header="VPN Demand Increase">6,702%</td> </tr> <tr> <td data-header="Date">Monday, 5 June 2023</td> <td data-header="VPN Demand Increase">4,586%</td> </tr> <tr> <td data-header="Date">Tuesday, 6 June 2023</td> <td data-header="VPN Demand Increase">2,304%</td> </tr> <tr> <td data-header="Date">Wednesday, 7 June 2023</td> <td data-header="VPN Demand Increase">1,445%</td> </tr> <tr> <td data-header="Date">Monday, 31 July 2023</td> <td data-header="VPN Demand Increase">966%</td> </tr></tbody> </table> <div class="block-highlighted"> <p>ISPs in Senegal are <a href="https://explorer.ooni.org/chart/mat?test_name=web_connectivity&amp;axis_x=measurement_start_day&amp;since=2023-05-06&amp;until=2023-06-06&amp;time_grain=day&amp;probe_cc=SN&amp;category_code=GRP" rel="noopener" target="_blank">blocking access to social media platforms</a> by timing out the connection via <a href="https://ooni.org/support/interpreting-ooni-data/#connection-timeout" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">TLS interference</a>. This is different to disruptions that occur at the DNS level or IP blocking and may indicate the presence of deep packet inspection (DPI) technology as the failure occurs after the TLS ClientHello message. This type of interference can be circumvented by using a VPN.</p> </div> <h3>Turkey</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 99%<br> <b>Date:</b> May 12-14 2023</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Turkey began to increase significantly in the days immediately before the country went to the polls on May 14 for its presidential election.</p> <p>On May 12 VPN demand increased by 68% compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days. It doubled (99%) on May 13 compared to the 28-day average as authorities began restricting access to popular local social media platform Eksi Sozluk. On the day of the vote, VPN demand remained 56% higher than average.</p> <p>Access to Eksi Sozluk was previously blocked in February by the Turkish government. </p> <h3>Pakistan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 1,329%<br> <b>Date:</b> May 9-15 2023 </p> <p>VPN demand in Pakistan surged after authorities blocked access to Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms on May 9 following the public outcry over the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.<sup><a id="fn-24" href="#footnote-24">[24]</a></sup></p> <p>Demand for VPN services spiked by 311% on May 9 compared to the daily average over the preceding 28 days before rocketing to 1,329% above that average on May 10. VPN demand remained greatly elevated on May 11 at 1,050% above the daily average. While VPN demand has softened in the days since then, it remains on average 673% higher than it was in the period leading up to Khan’s arrest.</p> <p>Access to mobile broadband services were also cut “indefinitely” across the country, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. </p> <h3>Utah, U.S.</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 847% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> May 1-3 2023 </p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Utah have skyrocketed after adult website Pornhub disabled its website for visitors from the U.S. state due to the introduction of new age verification laws on May 2.<sup><a id="fn-23" href="#footnote-23">[23]</a></sup></p> <p>VPN demand began to rise the day before the new rules kicked in, increasing by 142% on May 1 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. On May 2, demand for VPN services surged by 847% compared to that baseline. On May 3, the surge in VPN demand in Utah had slowed a little but remained 767% higher than average.</p> <h3>Brazil</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 192% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> 27-29 Apr 2023</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Brazil has surged following local authorities’ decision to block Telegram. VPN demand on April 27 spiked 192% higher than the daily average over the previous 28 days. The increase in VPN demand in Brazil continue into April 28 when it was 128% higher than the baseline and remained 49% higher the following day.</p> <p>Access to Telegram was blocked as a result of a court order due to the messaging platform’s refusal to supply user data on far-right groups.<sup><a id="fn-22" href="#footnote-22">[22]</a></sup></p> <h3>Italy</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 678% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> 01 Apr 2023</p> <p>VPN demand in Italy surged by 678% on April 1 compared to the daily average over the prior 28 days. This increase came as Italian authorities temporarily banned ChatGPT based on its lack of age verification and the massive data collection and storage that underpins it.<sup><a id="fn-21" href="#footnote-21">[21]</a></sup></p> <p>Demand for VPN services remained higher than average in the days that followed, at more than four times (315%) higher than average.</p> <h3>Ethiopia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 3,651% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> 9 Feb – 19 July 2023 </p> <p>VPN demand in Ethiopia spiked massively after authorities restricted access to Facebook, Telegram and TikTok on February 9 due to religious tensions.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services surged by 414% the same day compared the daily average over the prior 28 days. After authorities also blocked access to YouTube, VPN demand peaked at 3,651% higher than the average. Access has yet to be restored to the blocked social media platforms and while VPN demand may have dropped from its initial peak, it remained high on March 20 at 317% higher than it was before the restrictions were implemented.</p> <div id="attachment_1431730" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1431730" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1431730 size-full" src="/assets/2024/03/VPN-Demand-Ethiopia.png" alt="Changes in VPN demand in Ethiopia compared to the 28-day average" width="800" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-1431730" class="wp-caption-text">Changes in VPN demand in Ethiopia compared to the 28-day average.</p></div> <h3>Turkey</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 60%<br> <b>Date:</b> 22 Feb 2023</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Turkey experienced another notable increase on February 22. The 60% uplift followed the ban on local social media platform Ekşi Sözlük, which is similar to Reddit. No reason has been given for the block.</p> <p>The increase in VPN demand was in comparison with the daily average over the preceding 28 days. Note that we excluded February 8 from this baseline as VPN demand spiked by 491% that day in response to Turkish authorities blocking Twitter.</p> <p><i>Note: we updated the previously published increase of 41% to 60% once the full day’s data was available.</i></p> <h3>Turkey</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 491%<br> <b>Date:</b> 8 Feb 2023</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Turkey immediately surged on February 8 following reports that Twitter had been blocked on several major ISPs in the country.</p> <p>VPN demand rapidly increased over course of the day compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. By 1600 GMT VPN demand was 157% higher than the average and by the end of the day, it was up 491%.</p> <p>While the Turkish government did not announce or comment on the social media restrictions, the Twitter block came a day after a speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that warned that he would not allow “disinformation” to spread in the wake of the earthquakes.<sup><a id="fn-19" href="#footnote-19">[19]</a></sup><sup><a id="fn-20" href="#footnote-20">[20]</a></sup></p> <p>Netblocks confirmed the new internet restrictions: “Twitter is now restricted on some of the main internet providers in #Turkey by means of SNI filtering. The measure is distinct from the impact of the recent earthquake”.</p> <p>Access to the social media platform was restored on February 9.</p> <h3 id="louisiana">Louisiana, U.S.</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 246%<br> <b>Date:</b> January 2023</p> <p>Demand for VPN services jumped by 210% on December 31 in the the U.S. state of Louisiana compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. </p> <p>The increase came on the on the eve of new laws requiring age verification of Louisiana residents who visit adult websites that took effect from January 1.<sup><a id="fn-18" href="#footnote-18">[18]</a></sup></p> <p>Daily VPN demand has remained elevated since then, peaking at 246% higher than the average on January 2 and was still 205% higher than the baseline on January 4.</p> </div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="vpn-demand-surges-in-2022" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">VPN Demand Surges in 2022</h2><div><h3>Jordan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 249% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> 16 December</p> <p>VPN demand surged by 249% in Jordan compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior in the wake of authorities’ decision to block TikTok during demonstrations over high fuel prices.</p> <p>Although VPN demand decreased slightly, it remained 175% above average on December 18.</p> <h3>China</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 184% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> 4 – 30 November</p> <div class="block-highlighted"> <p><i><b>Note:</b> due to the ban on VPNs in China, our usual monitoring methods are not available. In order to gauge current “demand”, we have instead analyzed Twitter data as a proxy for our usual data. See <a href="#methodology">methodology</a> for more details.</i></p> </div> <p>The number of Chinese-language tweets relating to VPNs has surged several times over the course of November as demonstrations took place in China due to popular resentment towards the country’s zero-Covid policy.</p> <p>VPN-related tweets in Chinese soared by <b>184% on November 4</b> compared to the average over the prior three months and also remained 159% higher than the average the following day. This increase corresponds with demonstrations in Guangzhou over the same period.<sup><a id="fn-15" href="#footnote-15">[15]</a></sup></p> <p>On November 14, Chinese-language VPN tweets <b>jumped 162%</b> above the average, as demonstrations took place in Wuhan.<sup><a id="fn-16" href="#footnote-16">[16]</a></sup></p> <p>VPN tweets in Chinese again spiked on <b>November 29 at 183%</b> above the average. VPN tweets were more than double the average both the day before this peak and the day after. These increases corresponded with mass demonstrations across China.<sup><a id="fn-17" href="#footnote-17">[17]</a></sup></p> <div id="attachment_788255" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-788255" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-788255 size-full" src="/assets/2022/12/China_VPN_tweet_1.jpg" alt="Chinese-language tweet relating to VPN use during demonstrations in November 2022" width="600" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-788255" class="wp-caption-text">Chinese-language tweet relating to VPN use during demonstrations in November 2022.</p></div> <h3>Turkey</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 771%<br> <b>Date:</b> 13 November</p> <p>VPN demand in Turkey spiked after authorities temporarily blocked access to Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook in the aftermath of a bombing in Taksim, Istanbul on November 13.<sup><a id="fn-14" href="#footnote-14">[14]</a></sup> The blocks were part of a broader media blackout that was imposed by the Turkish government.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services immediately increased by 771% compared to the daily average over the previous 30 days. Access to the blocked social media platforms was restored after around 10 hours.</p> <h3>Kyrgyzstan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 147%<br> <b>Date:</b> 22 October</p> <p>Demand for VPN services increased in Kyrgyzstan on October 22 ahead of planned demonstrations.<sup><a id="fn-12" href="#footnote-12">[12]</a></sup></p> <p>The spike of 147% compared to the daily average over the 30 days prior. Comparing VPN demand on October 22 with a longer period, such as the average of the preceding 90 days, results in an even higher figure of 221%.</p> <p>While there a was a significant drop in internet connectivity in Kyrgyzstan reported on October 24, it appears that this was not a deliberate government internet outage.<sup><a id="fn-13" href="#footnote-13">[13]</a></sup> </p> <h3>Iran</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 3,082% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> 22 September-31 October</p> <p>VPN demand surged in Iran as authorities blocked Instagram and WhatsApp on September 21 in response to public marches in response to the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services to circumvent the social media blocks rocketed by <b>2,164%</b> on September 22 compared to the 28 days prior. VPN demand rose further still in the following days, peaking at <b>3,082%</b> higher than before the demonstrations on September 26.</p> <p>The average daily demand for VPN services has remained very high since that peak at 951% above the baseline. VPN demand began to soften significantly compared to the peak however on October 12, which may reflect that the Iranian authorities are have increasing success at blocking VPN traffic.</p> <div id="attachment_770660" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-770660" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-770660 size-full" src="/assets/2022/11/Iran-VPN-demand-chart-021122.svg" alt="Chart showing daily VPN demand increases in Iran compared with the daily average over the 28 days prior to September 21, 2022" width="800" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-770660" class="wp-caption-text">Chart showing daily VPN demand increases in Iran compared with the daily average over the 28 days prior to September 21, 2022.</p></div> <h3 id="azerbaijan">Azerbaijan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 751%<br> <b>Date:</b> 14 September</p> <h3>Armenia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 84%<br> <b>Date:</b> 13-14 September</p> <p>Demand for VPN services spiked in Azerbaijan and Armenia after TikTok was blocked in both countries following a renewal of the dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region on September 12.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Azerbaijan increased by 751% on the day of the announcement compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days. In Armenia, demand for VPN services increased by 84% on September 13 compared to the 28 days prior and continued to remain elevated by 26% the following day.</p> <h3>Indonesia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 196%<br> <b>Date:</b> July 30-31</p> <p>Demand for VPN services increased by 196% on July 30 in Indonesia compared with the daily average over the 28 days prior. The spike came as the Indonesian government blocked access to PayPal and major gaming platforms for failing to comply with new regulations. VPN demand remained 70% higher than average on July 31 despite Indonesia already having the <a href="/research/global-vpn-usage-statistics/">highest VPN usage in the world</a>.</p> <p>The Indonesian government has since temporarily lifted the block on PayPal following an outcry in order to allow users to withdraw funds. Gaming platforms Epic Games, which is required to play Fortnite, Steam and Origin, remain blocked by the authorities.</p> <h3>Sri Lanka</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 17,075%<br> <b>Date:</b> April 3</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Sri Lanka soared by 17,075% on April 3 after social media platforms Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp were blocked.</p> <p>The government internet outage came during a nationwide curfew imposed on April 1 to contain demonstrations over worsening economic conditions and severe shortages.</p> <p>The surge in VPN demand, which is compared to the daily average over the prior 28 days, followed a spike of 2,352% the day before on April 2.</p> <p><i>Note: The total VPN demand figure was originally posted as 14,008% but has since been updated.</i></p> <h3 id="russia">Russia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 2,692% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> February 24-March 31</p> <p>VPN demand was resurgent in Russia going into the weekend of March 12-13 as the Russian authorities <strong>banned Instagram</strong> in retaliation for parent company Meta permitting calls to violence against the Russian military to remain on its platforms.</p> <p>Demand for VPN services <b>peaked at 2,692% on March 14</b> compared to the average daily demand in the week leading up February 24. This latest peak followed three days of sustained surging interest. As of <b>March 31</b>, demand for VPNs had softened but remained highly elevated at 243% above normal, while the average daily VPN demand between March 15-31 has been 617% higher than normal.</p> <p>The official ban on Facebook and Twitter on March 4 had previously stoked demand for <a href="/best-vpn/russia/">VPN services that work in Russia</a>, pushing it over 1,000% higher than the baseline for two consecutive days</p> <p>The restrictions on Facebook and Twitter had begun over the weekend of Feb 26-27 with internet speeds upon accessing those platforms so severely throttled as to render them unusable, prompting Russians to turn in increasing numbers to VPN services. VPN demand increased over the course of that week and by March 3 was over 750% higher than the baseline.</p> <div id="attachment_285133" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-285133" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-285133 size-full" src="/assets/2022/04/Russia-VPN-demand-chart-140422.svg" alt="Chart showing daily VPN demand increases in Russia compared with the daily average between 17-23 February, 2022" width="800" height="569"><p id="caption-attachment-285133" class="wp-caption-text">Chart showing daily VPN demand increases in Russia compared with the daily average between 17-23 February, 2022.</p></div> <p>Our analysis of Russia’s central register of blocked sites shows that the <a href="/research/websites-blocked-in-russia/">Kremlin has blocked over 1,000 sites relating to the war</a> since February, including BBC News, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America Russian-language sites.</p> <p>The Russian authorities confirmed on March 15 that they had been trying to block VPN traffic and would continue to do so. <sup><a id="fn-11" href="#footnote-11">[11]</a></sup> </p> <h3>Ukraine</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 609% (peak)<br> <b>Date:</b> February 15-March 23</p> <p>VPN demand skyrocketed over the weekend of Feb 26-27. On Mon Feb 28, demand was 544% higher than the daily average in the first half of the month.</p> <p>Demand continued to rise over the week, peaking on March 2 at 609% higher than before February 24.</p> <p>In the three weeks since, average daily VPN demand has softened but remains very high comparatively, at 256% above the baseline.</p> <p>VPN demand in Ukraine began to rise from February 15 due to increasing cyber-attacks,<sup><a id="fn-10" href="#footnote-10">[10]</a></sup> climbing by 40% in the days before February 24.</p> <h3 id="myanmar-jan">Myanmar</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 53%<br> <b>Date:</b> January 25</p> <p>With a VPN ban looming<sup><a id="fn-9" href="#footnote-9">[9]</a></sup> in Myanmar, demand for the anti-censorship software has started to ramp up once more. It was 53% higher on Jan 25 compared to daily average over the previous 28 days and was likely to exceed that again by the end of today (Jan 26).</p> <p>As of January 2022 and with Facebook still blocked, VPN demand was 464% higher overall in the year since the coup compared to the previous 12 months.</p> <h3>Cambodia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 47%<br> <b>Date:</b> December 2021 – January 2022</p> <p>VPN Demand in Cambodia has been increasing as the deadline for mandatory adoption of a new internet gateway approaches in February. In December, VPN demand was 56% higher than it was before the changes were announced in February 2021. In January demand has so far been 37% higher than it was before the new law was unveiled.</p> <h3 id="kazakhstan">Kazakhstan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 3,405%<br> <b>Date:</b> 5 January 2022</p> <p>Demand for VPN services surged 3,405% in Kazakhstan on January 5 compared to the daily average over the previous 30 days due to anti-government demonstrations. The increased demand was likely sparked by the disruption of mobile internet access by the Kazakh authorities on January 4-5. The government imposed a full internet blackout in the late afternoon of January 5.</p> </div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="vpn-demand-surges-in-2021" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">VPN Demand Surges in 2021</h2><div><h3 id="ethiopia-oct">Ethiopia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 5,109%<br> <b>Date:</b> 8-11 November 2021</p> <p>VPN demand in Ethiopia began to surge on November 8 when authorities blocked Facebook, Messenger and Instagram following a leak of exam papers online.</p> <p>Demand for VPN was initially 1,661% higher than the average over the 28 days prior before peaking the following day on November 9 when it was 5,109% higher than average. While demand then began to soften, it remained 3,464% higher on November 10.</p> <p>With social media still blocked at the time of publication, VPN demand remains 718% higher than average in Ethiopia.</p> <h3>Singapore</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 39%<br> <b>Date:</b> 02 October 2021</p> <p>The Singapore government passed a draconian new law on October 5 that would allow it to crack down on “subversive” content by forcing ISPs and social media platforms to hand over user information, block content and remove offending apps.</p> <p>Despite VPN services already being popular in Singapore, demand surged in the lead-up to the marathon parliamentary session that approved the legislation, peaking on October 2 at <b>39% higher than the daily average</b> over the previous weeks.</p> <p>In the seven days leading up to the law change, VPN demand was on average <b>19% higher</b> than the previous weeks.</p> <h3 id="zambia">Zambia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 16,341%<br> <b>Date:</b> 12 August 2021</p> <p>The Zambian government confirmed that it would shut down internet access as the country voted in its national elections on August 12.<sup><a id="fn-8" href="#footnote-8">[8]</a></sup></p> <p>Demand for VPN software rocketed on the day of the shutdown, which blocked access to WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. It increased by <b>16,341%</b> compared to the daily average over the three weeks leading up to the announcement.</p> <p>Demand remained at a similar level on the second day of the shutdown, on August 13. It was almost 14,000% higher than it had been prior to the announcement.</p> <p>Demand had already been on average 95% higher over the seven days between the announcement of the shutdown and it coming into effect, compared to the three weeks leading up to it.</p> <p>Demand on August 12 jumped <b>5,886%</b> overnight compared to the day before, when VPN demand had been 176% higher than before the announcement.</p> <p><i>Note: Previous updates also showed earlier increases from August 10 when VPN demand was 151% higher than before the shutdown was announced.</i></p> <h3>Hong Kong</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 50%<br> <b>Date:</b> 22 June 2021</p> <p>Demand for VPN services jumped by 50% in Hong Kong on June 22 compared to the average for the prior 30 days. This followed the announcement that pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily would close at midnight on June 23.</p> <p>A rise of 50% in Hong Kong is a significant increase as <a href="/what-is-a-vpn/what-are-vpns-used-for/">VPNs are already widely used there to circumvent censorship</a> and avoid surveillance.</p> <h3 id="nigeria-june">Nigeria</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 1,409%<br> <b>Date:</b> 5 June 2021</p> <p>VPN demand in Nigeria spiked on June 5 after Twitter was blocked by the government in retaliation for the removal of a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari for breaching the social media platform’s rules.</p> <p>The government announced the indefinite Twitter ban on June 4, prompting an initial surge in VPN demand of 143% compared to the 30 days prior. The shutdown didn’t actually come into effect until the following day, when demand for VPN services soared by 1,409% compared to the same period.</p> <p>Demand remained at 405% higher than the baseline on June 6. On Jun 7 it stood at 222% higher than prior to the announcement of the ban.</p> <h3>Myanmar</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 672%<br> <b>Date:</b> Ongoing</p> <p><i>See <a href="#myanmar-jan">initial entry for Myanmar</a> for data relating to period immediately following coup.</i></p> <p>The people of Myanmar continue to experience <a href="/research/cost-of-internet-shutdowns/">rolling social media shutdowns</a> and a mobile internet blackout, months on from the coup at the start of February.</p> <p>Against this backdrop and with no end in sight for the internet restrictions, demand for VPN services in the 30 days to May 19 has been 672% higher than the daily average over the month prior to the coup.</p> <p><i>[Update] As of January 2022, and with Facebook still blocked, VPN demand was 464% higher overall in the year since the military coup compared to the previous 12 months.</i></p> <h3>Ethiopia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 342%<br> <b>Date:</b> 17 May 2021</p> <p>After Ethiopia’s national election was postponed for a second time on May 15, access to Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram was blocked for eight hours on May 17 against a backdrop of an ongoing civil war in the Tigray region.<sup><a id="fn-7" href="#footnote-7">[7]</a></sup></p> <p>Demand for VPN services to circumvent this and any possible future social media shutdowns immediately surged. Compared to the daily average of the previous five days, demand on May 17 had already increased by 186% at midday local time, an hour after restrictions had been lifted, and then further to 247% by 3pm. By the end of the day, the increase was expected to be around 340% higher than the baseline.</p> <p><i>Note: the end-of-day estimate was amended as additional data became available that suggested it would be higher than the 257% initially anticipated.</i></p> <h3 id="colombia">Colombia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 295%<br> <b>Date:</b> 4-6 May 2021</p> <p>Demonstrations against tax hikes imposed by the Colombia government on April 28 have since spread across the country following a harsh response by law enforcement.<sup><a id="fn-6" href="#footnote-6">[6]</a></sup></p> <p>At the same time as authorities shut down the internet in the Cali region on May 4, nationwide demand for VPN services began to spike, increasing by 148% compared to the seven days prior. The surge peaked the next day at 295% compared to that same period, although it continued remain elevated in the days that followed. On May 6 it remained 169% above the baseline, falling to 76% above that level on May 7.</p> <p>This trend was even more pronounced in the Valle del Cauca region where the city of Cali is located. VPN demand increased by 314% on May 4 as news of the disruptions emerged, compared to the seven days prior. By May 5, it had spiked at 694% compared to that same period and remained 331% above the baseline on May 6. Demand remained elevated at 80% above the regional baseline on May 9.</p> <h3>India – Delhi</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 53%<br> <b>Date:</b> 17 April 2021</p> <p>VPN demand increased by 53% in the Delhi region on 17 April compared to the average of the seven days prior. The surge in demand coincided with the start of new social restrictions.</p> <h3>India -Uttar Pradesh</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 96%<br> <b>Date:</b> 31 March 2021</p> <p>Demand for VPN services almost doubled on March 31 in the Uttar Pradesh region of India. The region’s Epidemic Act was due to expire the same day but was extended until June 30.</p> <h3>Germany</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 173%<br> <b>Date:</b> 27-28 March 2021</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Germany soared 173% over the weekend of 27-28 March as stricter social restrictions were imposed by authorities. This pattern is line with <a href="/research/vpn-demand-statistics-2020/">previous research</a>.</p> <h3 id="bangladesh">Bangladesh</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 738%<br> <b>Date:</b> 27-28 March 2021</p> <p>Authorities in Bangladesh blocked Facebook and Facebook Messenger on March 26 amid a public outcry over a state visit by the Indian Prime Minister. The social media shutdown prompted a 738% spike in demand for VPN services.</p> <h3>India – Karnataka</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 61%<br> <b>Date:</b> 16-22 March 2021</p> <p>Over the week beginning March 16, demand for VPN services in the Karnataka region of India increased by 31% compared to the prior 30-day average. This came a day after possible new social restrictions were discussed.</p> <h3>India- Tamil Nadu</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 53%<br> <b>Date:</b> 16-22 March 2021</p> <p>VPN demand in the Tamil Nadu region of India increased by 31% over the week beginning March 16 compared to the prior 30-day average. During this period political leaders asked authorities to intensify social restrictions and punish those who breached safety guidelines.</p> <h3>Hong Kong</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 245%<br> <b>Date:</b> 11 March 2021</p> <p>Demand for VPN services in Hong Kong increased 245% on March 11, the same day that the Chinese legislature approved a resolution tightening control over the city’s electoral system.<sup><a id="fn-5" href="#footnote-5">[5]</a></sup></p> <p>VPN demand had already increased by 27% on March 10, compared to the 30 days prior, before the surge on the day of the vote, which was almost three-and-a-half times the average of the previous 30 days.</p> <h3>India – Maharashtra</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 109%<br> <b>Date:</b> 10 March 2021</p> <p>The 109% increase in VPN demand compared to the seven days prior coincided with warnings potential new social restrictions.</p> <h3>Senegal</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 4,200%<br> <b>Date:</b> 04-05 March 2021</p> <p>Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Telegram were blocked following demonstrations over the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. VPN demand surged by over 1,000% that day compared to the prior seven-day average. As of March 5, demand has now risen by over 4,200% compared to the same prior period.</p> <h3 id="myanmar-feb">Myanmar</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 7,200%<br> <b>Date:</b> 04 Feb 2021</p> <p>Demand for VPN services skyrocketed in Myanmar after the authorities blocked access to Facebook in the wake of a coup. This social media shutdown has been imposed to “maintain stability”.<sup><a id="fn-3" href="#footnote-3">[3]</a></sup></p> <p>In the week following the Facebook ban, the ruling junta also proposed new cybersecurity laws that would allow it to censor any content it didn’t like.<sup><a id="fn-4" href="#footnote-4">[4]</a></sup> During this period, VPN demand remained significantly elevated at 1,419% higher than the average over the week leading up to the Feb 4 ban.</p> <p>Two months on, demand for VPN remains elevated compared to before the military takeover. On March 29, demand was 184% higher than the baseline prior to restrictions starting.</p> <p><i>Note: VPN demand increased sharply over the course of Feb 4 and we updated the page several times to track it. At 10am GMT demand had increased by 4,300% compared to the average of the seven days prior. By the end of the day it was up by 7,200%.</i></p> <h3 id="uganda">Uganda</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 1,015%<br> <b>Date:</b> 18-22 Jan 2021</p> <p>Ugandan authorities restored internet access on Jan 18 following a five-day blackout around the nation’s election but social media remained blocked. VPN demand surged 1,015% over next four days following an initial peak of 1,343% on the first day of the social media shutdown.</p> </div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="vpn-demand-surges-in-2020" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">VPN Demand Surges in 2020</h2><div><h3>Thailand</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 640%<br> <b>Date:</b> 02 Nov 2020</p> <p>The blocking of Pornhub and 190 other adult websites<sup><a id="fn-2" href="#footnote-2">[2]</a></sup> led to a jump in VPN demand of 640% compared to the country’s Sept-Oct daily average.</p> <h3 id="tanzania">Tanzania</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 18,823%<br> <b>Date:</b> 27 Oct-06 Nov 2020</p> <p>Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp were blocked via Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo, Halotel and Zantel in Tanzania on the eve of presidential and national assembly elections.</p> <p>A partial internet shutdown was also brought in across Tanzania on the eve of presidential and national assembly elections, affecting all telecom providers.</p> <h3 id="guinea-oct">Guinea</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 3,043%<br> <b>Date:</b> 23-27 Oct 2020</p> <p>An internet blackout impacted Orange network users ahead of Guinea’s presidential election result, with connectivity at only 9% of ordinary levels.</p> <p>Users of MTN and Cellcom telecom networks experienced a social media shutdown ahead of Guinea’s presidential election result.</p> <h3 id="nigeria-oct">Nigeria</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 239%<br> <b>Date:</b> 20 Oct 2020</p> <p>Demonstrations over policy brutality, specifically the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in Nigeria caused a rise in VPN demand as protestors feared an internet shutdown and prepared for the worst.</p> <h3>Kyrgyzstan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 29%<br> <b>Date:</b> 05-06 Oct 2020</p> <p>Public accusations that the previous day’s election had been rigged led the Kyrgyzstan government to enact a partial internet blackout on the 5th October. The blackout reduced internet connectivity to 0.85%.</p> <h3>Azerbaijan</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase</b> 1,646%<br> <b>Date:</b> 27 Sep-12 Nov 2020</p> <p>Access to Facebook, Youtube, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter became blocked following clashes in Armenia on 27th September over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.</p> <h3 id="algeria">Algeria</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 828%<br> <b>Date:</b> 13-14 Sep 2020</p> <p>A short internet blackout was followed by social media shutdown intended to prevent cheating on school exams.</p> <h3 id="belarus">Belarus</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 650%<br> <b>Date:</b> August 2020</p> <p>VPN demand increased 650% over August compared to the previous month following the 9 August election. Internet disruptions were implemented as part of a crackdown on extended demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko, accused of rigging the results of the election.</p> <h3>Ethiopia</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 740%<br> <b>Date:</b> 30 Jun-23 Jul 2020</p> <p>Ethiopian authorities cut internet access as part of their crackdown on the demonstrations against the killing of a popular singer. Demand for VPNs increased by 740% over the 23-day disruption.</p> <h3 id="burundi">Burundi</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 5,686%<br> <b>Date:</b> 20-21 May 2020</p> <p>This massive surge in VPN demand was prompted by the shutdown of access to all social media platforms and messaging apps on election day in Burundi.</p> <h3 id="guinea-mar">Guinea</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 1,257%<br> <b>Date:</b> 20-23 Mar 2020</p> <p>The day after an initial short internet blackout on March 20, Orange and MTN networks blocked Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter for 36 hours while votes were cast during a controversial referendum in Guinea. VPN demand spiked 1,257% during this time.</p> <h3>India (Manipur)</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 43%<br> <b>Date:</b> 16-18 Mar 2020</p> <p>Demand for VPN increased by 43% after authorities ordered mobile internet services to be shut down. This was ordered due to a land dispute on the basis that it would prevent the misuse of social media.</p> <h3>India (Jammu and Kashmir)</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 44%<br> <b>Date:</b> 04-07 Mar 2020</p> <p>After the longest internet shutdown ever imposed in a democracy was lifted in March, relief was short-lived in Kashmir. Internet access remains nominal, as speeds were immediately severely throttled to 2G levels. VPN demand surged by 44% over the first four days of the new restrictions.</p> <h3>India (Meghalaya)</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 19%<br> <b>Date:</b> 28-29 Feb 2020</p> <p>VPN demand increased by 19% following a mobile internet blackout in a number of Meghalaya districts (East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills).</p> <h3 id="turkey">Turkey</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 810%<br> <b>Date:</b> 27-28 Feb 2020</p> <p>Demand for <a href="/best-vpn/turkey/">VPN services in Turkey</a> surged after authorities blocked access to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Youtube in Turkey on the day of an attack on Turkish troops in Idlib, Syria.</p> <h3>Togo</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 342%<br> <b>Date:</b> 22 Feb 2020</p> <p>On election day in Togo, access to Facebook and WhatsApp via Togo Telecom was cut from around 17:00. The country’s media claimed the block was politically motivated. VPN demand spiked 342% as a result.</p> <h3>Yemen</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 175%<br> <b>Date:</b> 10-16 Jan 2020</p> <p>This week-long internet blackout arose from the long-running conflict in the region between rebels and the coalition government. While the exact cause for the outage remains disputed, VPN demand surged by 175% during the disruption.</p> <h3 id="venezuela">Venezuela</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 1,731%<br> <b>Date:</b> 05 Jan 2020</p> <p>Demand for VPN service shot up by 1,731% when Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Youtube were blocked on the morning of the National Assembly Leadership vote.</p> <h3>Myanmar (Chin, Rakhine)</h3> <p><b>VPN demand increase:</b> 238%<br> <b>Date:</b> Jan 2020</p> <p>VPN demand increased 238% month-on-month in March. This surge came amid internet disruptions in Chin and Rakhine states dating back to 2019 that didn’t end until August the following year.<sup><a id="fn-1" href="#footnote-1">[1]</a></sup></p> </div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="the-importance-of-vpns" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">The Importance of VPNs</h2><div><p>With more countries adopting internet monitoring and filtering tools to restrict free communication and access to information, VPNs have become key tools in the fight against online surveillance and censorship.</p> <p>Private and secure VPN services, specifically designed to bypass web censorship, let everyday people regain access to the free internet.</p> <p>The advanced <a href="https://www.top10vpn.com/guides/vpn-obfuscation/">obfuscation tools</a> employed can overcome the most aggressive web content blocks, especially in countries like China and Turkey.</p> <p>Not every VPN is safe to use or effective at circumventing web censors. It’s therefore vital to use a <a href="/best-vpn/china/">VPN verified to beat censorship</a>.</p> </div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="methodology" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">Methodology</h2><div><p>Using our global monitoring data, we continuously analyze daily VPN search volume by country. Where we identify step changes in demand compared to previous weeks that correlate with socio-political events in a particular region, we add the statistics to this page.</p> <p>To calculate the increase in demand, we typically compare the average daily search volume during the period of elevated demand with the daily average for the thirty days prior.</p> <p>Where this is not possible or not the most useful comparison, we calculate the delta from the previous seven-day period or look at month-over-month statistics. This is indicated in the relevant entry where appropriate.</p> <p>For China, we scraped Chinese-language tweets containing reference to VPN. We cleaned this data to remove as many false positives as possible. We calculated the average number of tweets between August 1 and October 31 and used that as a baseline for comparison.</p> </div></section></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row"><section id="references" class="jsx-2580530280 block-text ut-row"><h2 class="heading-2">References</h2><div><p id="footnote-1"><sup>[1] https://www.accessnow.org/internet-shutdowns-2020-elections/ <a href="#fn-1">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-2"><sup>[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-thailand-porn/savepornhub-thailands-online-porn-ban-prompts-backlash-idUKKBN27J0KM?edition-redirect=uk <a href="#fn-2">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-3"><sup>[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-55923486 <a href="#fn-3">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-4"><sup>[4] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/myanmar-military-government-s-cyber-bill-would-violate-rights-14165312 <a href="#fn-4">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-5"><sup>[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-56356046 <a href="#fn-5">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-6"><sup>[6] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/05/colombia-llamado-urgente-cesar-violencia-contra-pueblos-indigenas/ <a href="#fn-6">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-7"><sup>[7] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/social-media-restricted-ethiopia-netblocks-says-2021-05-17/ <a href="#fn-7">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-8"><sup>[8] https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/08/05/zambia-to-shut-down-the-internet-on-voting-day-as-facebook-urges-government-to-keep-internet-open/ <a href="#fn-8">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-9"><sup>[9] https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Crisis/Myanmar-renews-plans-to-curb-internet-usage-with-VPN-ban/ <a href="#fn-9">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-10"><sup>[10] https://netblocks.org/reports/internet-disruptions-registered-as-russia-moves-in-on-ukraine-W80p4k8K <a href="#fn-10">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-11"><sup>[11] https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/76778/ <a href="#fn-11">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-12"><sup>[12] https://eurasianet.org/kyrgyzstan-mass-arrests-over-opposition-to-uzbekistan-border-deal <a href="#fn-12">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-13"><sup>[13] https://twitter.com/netblocks/status/1584474670577127424 <a href="#fn-13">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-14"><sup>[14] https://netblocks.org/reports/social-media-restricted-in-turkey-after-blast-in-taksim-istanbul-7yNnr0yq <a href="#fn-14">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-15"><sup>[15] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/15/covid-curbs-fuel-unrest-in-southern-chinese-city-video-shows <a href="#fn-15">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-16"><sup>[16] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-reports-4045-new-covid-cases-nov-3-vs-3372-day-earlier-2022-11-04/ <a href="#fn-16">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-17"><sup>[17] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-63805188 <a href="#fn-17">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-18"><sup>[18] https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/03/you-must-now-verify-your-drivers-license-to-watch-pornhub-in-louisiana/ <a href="#fn-18">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-19"><sup>[19] https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/08/turkey-blocks-twitter-after-public-criticism-of-quake-response/ <a href="#fn-19">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-20"><sup>[20] https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-earthquake-twitter-restricted-complicating-rescue <a href="#fn-20">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-21"><sup>[21] https://www.reuters.com/technology/germany-principle-could-block-chat-gpt-if-needed-data-protection-chief-2023-04-03/ <a href="#fn-21">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-22"><sup>[22] https://netblocks.org/reports/telegram-restricted-in-brazil-after-refusal-to-supply-user-data-to-authorities-JBZxOr86 <a href="#fn-22">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-23"><sup>[23] https://www.vice.com/en/article/93kbkv/pornhub-blocks-utah-age-verification <a href="#fn-23">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-24"><sup>[24] https://netblocks.org/reports/internet-disrupted-in-pakistan-amid-arrest-of-former-pm-imran-khan-JA6RmrAQ <a href="#fn-24">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-25"><sup>[25] https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-reports-internet-outage-ahead-of-pti-virtual-fundraiser-imran-khan-party-says-absolutely-shameful-1654971 <a href="#fn-25">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-26"><sup>[26] https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/pakistan-sees-nationwide-internet-disruption-again-expert-says-outage-remarkably-systematic-11705763200442.html <a href="#fn-26">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-27"><sup>[27] https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-censorship-virtual-private-network-facebook-79fb4cc0c3c4317844d0c00b0be1d9d1 <a href="#fn-27">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-28"><sup>[28] https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/25/internet-goes-dark-in-kenya-in-the-wake-of-major-protests-over-finance-bill/?guccounter=1 <a href="#fn-28">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-29"><sup>[29] https://therecord.media/bangladesh-mobile-internet-social-media-outages-student-protests <a href="#fn-29">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-30"><sup>[30] https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation/17059-mobile-internet-in-bangladesh-to-stay-dark-until-at-least-sunday.html <a href="#fn-30">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-31"><sup>[31] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/2/turkey-blocks-instagram-after-censorship-row <a href="#fn-31">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-32"><sup>[32] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgjv857plevo <a href="#fn-32">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-33"><sup>[33] https://web.archive.org/web/20240819102001/https://status.proton.me/incidents/0frlp8crn7kx <a href="#fn-33">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-34"><sup>[34] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crkmpe53l6jo <a href="#fn-34">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-35"><sup>[35] https://www.al.com/news/2024/09/pornhub-blocks-access-in-alabama-over-state-law-requiring-age-verification-citing-privacy-concerns.html <a href="#fn-35">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-36"><sup>[36] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mauritius-suspends-social-media-until-after-election-communications-regulator-2024-11-01/ <a href="#fn-36">↩</a></sup></p> <p id="footnote-37"><sup>[37] https://www.reddit.com/r/VPN/comments/1i4piu6/tiktok_officially_banned_for_me_any/ <a href="#fn-37">↩</a></sup></p> </div></section></div></div></div><div class="jsx-3067576299 container-row ut-wrapper"><div class="feedback-wrapper ut-row"><div style="height:27.5px;margin:0 auto calc(var(--base-unit) * 30)"></div></div></div></main><!--$--><footer id="footer" data-swiftype-index="false" class="jsx-4062602538 footer"><div class="jsx-4062602538 container-row footer-trio"><div class="jsx-4062602538 footer-company"><div class="jsx-4062602538 logo"><img alt="Top10VPN" loading="lazy" width="184" height="26" 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All rights reserved."},"back_to_top":{"back_to_top":"Back to top"},"cookie_bar":{"uses_cookies":"By using our website you give consent to the use of cookies. \u003ca href=\"/cookie-policy/\"\u003eDetails\u003c/a\u003e.","btn_txt":"OK"}}},"breadcrumbs":{"about_us":"About Us","best_vpn":"Best VPN","guides":"Guides","home_logo":"Home","research":"Research","tools":"Tools","vpn_reviews":"VPN Reviews","vpn_setup":"VPN Setup","what_is_a_vpn":"What Is a VPN?"},"paths":{"about":"about","best_vpn":"best-vpn","guides":"guides","feedback":"feedback","research":"research","reviews":"reviews","tools":"tools","ip_leak_test":"do-i-leak","vpn_comparison":"vpn-comparison","vpn_experts":"vpn-experts","vpn_setup":"vpn-setup","vpn_speed_test":"vpn-speed-test","what_is_a_vpn":"what-is-a-vpn","what_is_my_dns_server":"what-is-my-dns-server","what_is_my_ip":"what-is-my-ip","who_is_my_isp":"who-is-my-isp","how_we_review_vpns":"how-we-review-vpns"},"tableSheets":{"expand":"Expand Table","close_fullscreen":"Close Fullscreen"},"header":{"updated":"Updated {{date}}","about_authors":"About authors","additional_research":"Additional Research by {{fe_authorname}}","additional_testing":null,"fact_checked":null,"disclaimer":null,"localised_message":null,"read_full_bio":"Read full bio","wtu_label":null},"table_of_contents":"Table of Contents","thumbs_feedback":{"main_prompt":"Was this content helpful?","feedback_reason":"What is the reason for your feedback?","textarea_placeholder":"Please tell us what you like or dislike on this page","btn_cancel":"Cancel","btn_submit":"Submit feedback","success_message":"Thanks for your feedback!","leave_trustpilot_review":"Leave us a review on \u003ca href=\"https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.top10vpn.com?b=MTQ1NTcyNzU1NDczN3w1NmM0YTNjMjAwMDBmZjAwMDkzYzVmMDc\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTrustpilot\u003c/a\u003e"}},"article":{"tableSheets":[],"header":{"authors":[{"first_name":"Simon","last_name":"Migliano","position":"Head of Research","display_format":"{{fe_forename}} {{fe_surname}}","slug":"simonmigliano","photo":{"alt":"Simon Migliano","url":"https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2019/05/simon-migliano-headshot.jpg","sizes":[{"details":{"url":"https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2019/05/simon-migliano-headshot.jpg"}}]},"twitter":{"url":"simonmigliano"},"website":"https://www.simonmigliano.com/","linkedin":{"url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonmigliano/"},"ext_ref":[{"url":"https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0vuq76UAAAAJ\u0026hl=en\u0026oi=ao"},{"url":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113956142"}],"expert":{"snippet":"Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.","is_expert":true,"snippet_clean":"Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.","summary_clean":"Simon Migliano leads our research and testing into VPN applications, as well as wider investigations into internet privacy and security matters. Utilizing these findings, he produces in-depth VPN reviews and expert guidance on online safety. His work examining dangerous free VPNs, identity theft, and internet censorship has been featured in over 1,000 publications worldwide including the BBC, CNET, Wired, and the Financial Times. "},"schema":{"knows_about":"VPN services, internet privacy, internet security, internet censorship, geo-blocking"}}],"additional_authors":[],"default_image":{"url":"https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2022/09/VPN-Demand-Surges-Around-The-World2.jpg","alt":"VPN Demand Statistics header illustration showing a rise in demand for VPNs to circumvent internet censorship","width":1180,"height":800},"published_date":"2025-01-19T14:57:22.000Z"},"title":"VPN Demand Surges Around the World","slug":"vpn-demand-statistics","summary_text":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst published Feb 4, 2021\u003c/strong\u003e. Last updated to include latest data on VPN demand following the TikTok ban in the U.S.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","topicHub":{"slug":"vpn","name":"VPN Software"},"meta":{"gbotnews_noindex":false},"teaser_text":{"article":"This live tracker documents VPN demand spikes around the world and provides context for these increases."},"article_body":{"chapters":[{"heading":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eWhenever governments around the world try to control the populace by disrupting internet access, people turn to \u003ca href=\"https://www.top10vpn.com/vpn-explained/\"\u003eVirtual Private Networks (VPNs)\u003c/a\u003e in order to circumvent restrictions. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese anti-censorship tools are often the only way for people affected by social media blocks to communicate with each other during the upheavals that often accompany such measures.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe routinely monitor fluctuations in global VPN demand as part of our day-to-day work. We will use that data to update this page whenever we identify a significant surge that correlates with social or political events.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnless noted otherwise, our method for calculating demand increases is to compare the elevated period with the average over the previous 30 days.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also \u003ca href=\"/reviews/\"\u003einvestigate and test individual VPNs\u003c/a\u003e that benefit most from these surges in demand, to identify potential privacy and security issues.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile free VPN apps are naturally popular during government-mandated internet restrictions, we urge caution and advise using only a \u003ca href=\"/best-vpn/free/\"\u003etrustworthy free VPN\u003c/a\u003e or, whenever possible, a \u003ca href=\"/best-vpn/\"\u003ebest-in-class (paid) VPN\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"spacer\"\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"Introduction","include_in_nav":true}},{"heading":"VPN Demand Surges in 2025","content":"\u003ch3\u003eU.S.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 827%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e Jan 19\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand spiked massively in the U.S. on Jan 19 as TikTok shut down its U.S. servers in response to a government ban.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPNs increased 827% in the early hours of the morning as U.S. TikTok users found themselves unable to access their accounts and were met with error messages.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an especially notable uplift given the strong baseline level of VPN demand in the U.S.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt appears, however, that VPNs are not currently able to easily bypass the TikTok ban. On social media, TikTok users complained that VPNs weren\u0026#8217;t working for them unless they were part of complex workarounds.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-37\" href=\"#footnote-37\"\u003e[37]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"2025","include_in_nav":true}},{"heading":"VPN Demand Surges in 2024","content":"\u003ch3 id=\"pakistan-nov-24\"\u003ePakistan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 342%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e Nov 24-Dec 1\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand peaked at more than four times higher than normal in Pakistan following a further tightening of social media restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services initially increased by 102% in Pakistan on November 24 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand intensified over the following days, at 253% above the baseline on November 25 and up 342% on November 26.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand remained elevated until Nov 29th when it returned to baseline until December 1 when it surged again, with a 97% increase.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe initial surge followed reports that WhatsApp had been targeted by the authorities, preventing media sharing. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis was followed by widespread social media blocks and internet throttling on December 1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMozambique\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 2,072%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e Oct 26 \u0026#8211; Nov 5 (ongoing)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the wake of a social media ban followed by rolling internet blackouts, demand for VPN services in Mozambique has surged as high as 2,072% above average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthorities imposed the internet restrictions following election demonstrations in the southern African nation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand initially increased by 195% on Oct 26 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior as social media access was cut.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPNs truly began to surge however on October 30 when it increased by 513% compared to the previous average. It was higher still on October 31, when it was up 2,072%.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince then demand has remained very high, up 1,304% each day on average compared to the baseline, as social media access remains intermittent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe introduction of curfew-style internet blackouts on November 4 did little to dampen VPN demand in Mozambique. In fact it has intensified it, with demand soaring by 1,724% that day, which was almost double the day before.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMauritius\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 24,001%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e Nov 1\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services soared in Mauritius on November 1 following a social media blackout imposed by the authorities in the lead-up to the country\u0026#8217;s general election.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe internet restrictions were initially set to last from November 1-11, the day after the poll, in a bid to prevent further social media posts about a wiretapping scandal that has rocked the country.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-36\" href=\"#footnote-36\"\u003e[36]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services, which allow users to circumvent these kinds of social media blocks, increased by 24,001% compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven as authorities lifted the ban early on November 2, VPN demand was still 3,073% higher than average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eNov 2 UPDATE\u003c/b\u003e: The degree of the VPN demand increase for Nov 1 has risen from our last update of 16,107% to the calculation above based on the full day\u0026#8217;s data, now that it is available.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eNov 1 1330 (GMT) UPDATE\u003c/b\u003e: The size of the VPN demand surge has risen from our initial report of 9,547% earlier today to the current figure above. We will update this page over the course of the day with further increases as new data becomes available.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTurkey\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 100%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e October 23\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing a wide-ranging social media ban in Turkey, demand for VPN services has doubled in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand surged by 100% on October 23 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spike follows the decision by the Turkish authorities to block access to X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Telegram and TikTok in the wake of an attack on the headquarters of Turkey’s aerospace and defence company, near the capital Ankara.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis spike in VPN demand comes despite the Turkish government blocking many popular VPN services.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAlabama, U.S.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 234%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e September 26 (ongoing)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPNs more than tripled in Alabama as it became the latest U.S. state to be blocked by Pornhub because of its new age verification laws that came in on October 1.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-35\" href=\"#footnote-35\"\u003e[35]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe adult website blocked access to visitors from Alabama in advance of that date, on September 26, prompting an immediate increase of 107% in demand for VPN services compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand intensified over the following days, peaking on September 27 at 247% above average. Demand for the anti-censorship software, which allows users to spoof their locations when visiting websites, has remained at almost 200% above average since then.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrazil\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 506%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e August 31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Brazil surged to more than six times the daily average after social media platform X (Twitter) was banned in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services increased by 467% on August 30 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. The following day (August 31), VPN demand was even higher at 506% above that daily average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surge in demand came in the wake of a court decision upholding the ban, which also stated that individuals or businesses found using VPNs to access X could be fined.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ruling also demanded that Apple and Google remove the social media platform from its app stores and block its use on iOS and Android devices.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-34\" href=\"#footnote-34\"\u003e[34]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the days since the initial spike, VPN demand has remained very high on average at 260% above the baseline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrazil\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 88%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e August 17-19\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Brazil increased in the wake of a censorship row that has led social media company X (Twitter) to close its offices in the country, although the platform remains accessible there.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-32\" href=\"#footnote-32\"\u003e[32]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand increased by 58% on August 17, the day of the announcement, compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. Demand was higher again on August 18, at 88% above that baseline. On August 19, demand was 48% higher than usual.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rise in VPN demand came amid speculation that Apple may have be preventing App Store users in the country from downloading certain VPN iOS apps.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-33\" href=\"#footnote-33\"\u003e[33]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur tests showed that at least 30 of the most popular VPNs on the App Store were not available to download on August 19, however it appears to been a temporary issue as the apps were installing as normal by the following day. View the \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h2aHmGFtcq8t0OZvXOMvRO4e4hXPMmbMa6BTDQZCEO0/edit?gid=0#gid=0\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003efull list of affected VPN apps\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVenezuela\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 363%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e August 8-15\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Venezuela has surged after the nation\u0026#8217;s president announced a 10-day ban of X (previously Twitter) in the wake of disputed presidential elections in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services immediately jumped by 201% on August 8 compared to the 28 days prior. Demand was higher still the following day, at 363% above the prior daily average before falling back a little to 221% above the base line on August 10.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn August 11, VPN demand remained more than twice the baseline (118%) as Twitter/X continued to be inaccessible in Venezuela, however the surge in demand began to ebb over the following days and was within the normal range by August 15.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTurkey\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 301%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e August 2-4 (ongoing)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurkish authorities cut access to Instagram on August 2, prompting demand for VPN services to immediately increase by 268% compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surge in VPN demand was stronger still on August 3, up 301% compared to the prior period. While VPN demand backed off a little the following day, it remained 250% above the baseline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurkish authorities have not given an official reason for blocking Instagram, however the disruption comes in the wake of government criticism of Meta\u0026#8217;s censorship of the platform.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-31\" href=\"#footnote-31\"\u003e[31]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBangladesh\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 7,043%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e July 18-24\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Bangladesh has surged massively after internet access was partially restored in the country following a five-day internet shutdown.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand immediately spiked by 657% on July 23 compared to the daily average of the 28 days prior to the internet blackout. This increase is all the more significant as it was recorded during the few remaining hours of the day as the country started to come back online in the evening with fixed broadband access only.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncreased VPN demand accelerated the next day (July 24), rocketing by 7,043% compared to before the internet disruptions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis huge increase came even though the mobile internet used by most Bangladeshis was still offline. Only a small percentage of the population has access to the restored fixed broadband services.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-30\" href=\"#footnote-30\"\u003e[30]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBangladeshis rushed to download VPNs on July 18 before mobile internet access was cut in response to student demonstrations, driving demand up by 635% compared to the previous daily average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the internet shutdown, VPN demand dropped to zero, as the nation was plunged into a communications blackout.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand started to increase on July 16 as authorities began to disrupt access to social media platforms, such as Facebook and WhatsApp before surging when internet restrictions intensified as part of a wider crackdown.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-29\" href=\"#footnote-29\"\u003e[29]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKenya\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 534%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e June 25\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand surged by 534% on June 25 in Kenya compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days after internet access was severely disrupted as major demonstrations took place across the country.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternet access was reportedly interrupted and slow, while social media platforms, including X (Twitter), were also only intermittently accessible.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the time of publication, Kenyan authorities had yet to take responsibility for the internet shutdown.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe day before, the government had announced that there were no plans to cut internet access during the planned demonstrations. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKenyan ISP Safaricom blamed the internet shutdown on damage to undersea cables, however that claim was contradicted by the continuing availability of other ISPs, such as Airtel, that would have been also knocked offline in such a scenario.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-28\" href=\"#footnote-28\"\u003e[28]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe internet disruptions also affected neighboring countries, including Uganda where VPN demand also rose by 61% on June 25, along with Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda, where demand for VPN services remained flat.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=myanmar-24\u003eMyanmar\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 2,333% (peak) / 1,090% (av.)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e May 30 ongoing\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince the end of May, authorities in Myanmar have been enforcing a VPN crackdown to prevent citizens circumventing the various blocks on social media and messaging platforms that have been in place since 2021.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-27\" href=\"#footnote-27\"\u003e[27]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services immediately began to surge on May 29 when it doubled compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days. VPN demand skyrocketed 2,333% on May 30 compared to that prior period and has been on average 1,090% higher than normal since then.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe increase in demand is due to people in Myanmar being forced to rotate through multiple VPNs as the authorities have yet to completely block all VPN services in the country. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following graph shows the increase in daily VPN demand compared to the daily average prior to the VPN ban.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_1544650\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1544650\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1544650 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2024/07/VPN-Demand-Myanmar-July-2024.png\" alt=\"Graph showing VPN demand increases in Myanmar since the end of May, 2024\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-1544650\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eGraph showing VPN demand increases in Myanmar since the end of May, 2024.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndonesia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 373%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e April 29\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPNs in Indonesia surged by 373% compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior on April 29.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis large increase does not appear to have been prompted by any specific internet shutdown, as no new significant restrictions had been observed at the time of publication.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026#8217;s possible that the surge in VPN demand could have been caused by fears that social media could be restricted in the wake of the second eruption of Mount Ruang volcano in two weeks on April 30.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother possibility is that Indonesians might be trying to use VPNs to access restricted platforms, such as TikTok or Reddit\u0026#8217;s \u003ccode\u003e/r/indonesia\u003c/code\u003e group.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe will update this page as more information becomes available.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrazil\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 361%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e April 07 (ongoing)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN apps rose by 151% on Sunday after Elon Musk said X (Twitter) would defy government orders to ban several popular accounts in Brazil. The move sparked concerns that the platform could be blocked in the country, with Musk urging people to download VPN apps to retain access. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following day, VPN demand rose by 361% compared to the average. By April 9, the demand decreased slightly but was still 198% above average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_1452223\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1452223\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1452223 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2024/04/VPN-Demand-Brazil-0424.png\" alt=\"Changes in VPN demand in Brazil compared to the 30-day average prior to April 7,2024\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-1452223\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eChanges in VPN demand in Brazil compared to the 30-day average prior to April 7, 2024.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough no country-wide restrictions have yet been recorded, we will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTexas, U.S.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 275%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e March 14-18\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTexas has become the latest U.S. state to enforce new laws requiring adult websites to verify the age of users visiting from that location. Demand for VPN services increased almost four-fold on March 15, jumping 275% compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior, in the wake of a court decision allowing the law to come into force. Demand remained almost as high (252%) on March 16 compared to the average. By March 17, VPN demand in Texas had softened slightly but was still 169% above average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePakistan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 131%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e February 19 (ongoing)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Pakistan more than doubled on February 19 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior as the authorities blocked Twitter.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand remained almost as high the following day when it was 91% higher than average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the graph below shows, demand for VPN services in Pakistan has fluctuated in the days since, with two days as high as 80% above average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_1404662\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1404662\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1404662 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2024/02/VPN-Demand-Pakistan-2080224.png\" alt=\"Changes in VPN demand in Pakistan compared to the 28-day average\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-1404662\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eChanges in VPN demand in Pakistan compared to the 28-day average.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis increase is especially notable as VPN demand in Pakistan was already elevated, due to internet restrictions imposed in the period around the recent elections.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSenegal\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 162%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e February 5\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Senegal increased by 162% on February 5 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. This increase in demand for VPN services in Senegal as authorities cut mobile internet access in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe internet blackout came in the wake of mounting opposition to the postponement of presidential elections, originally scheduled for February 25, which had been announced two days earlier.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand increased by 74% immediately following the announcement of the postponement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile a VPN can\u0026#8217;t help in the event of an internet blackout, the memory will remain fresh in Senegal of social media restrictions in June 2023 that sparked a record-breaking \u003ca href=\"#senegal-2023\"\u003esurge in VPN demand\u003c/a\u003e of over 60,000% that could be imposed once more to quash opposition. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePakistan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 301%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e January 20\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Pakistan surged four times higher than average as the government again severely throttled access to all major social media platforms during an online event held by the opposition.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-26\" href=\"#footnote-26\"\u003e[26]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the second time these kinds of restrictions have been applied in the last two weeks and VPN demand in Pakistan remained higher than average in the days between the two social media shutdowns.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand increased by 301% on January 20 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior to the January 7 surge, which followed severe restrictions on access to social media platforms X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_1331873\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1331873\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1331873 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2024/01/VPN_Demand_Pakistan_Jan_2024.jpg\" alt=\"Increases in VPN demand in Pakistan in January 2024\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-1331873\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eIncreases in VPN demand in Pakistan in January 2024.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePakistan authorities previously blocked the same social media platforms for seven hours around the time of an earlier online opposition event on December 17, which led to a similar surge of 229% in VPN demand in Pakistan.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePakistan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 235%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e January 7\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Pakistan more than tripled as authorities blocked multiple social media platforms ahead of a virtual fundraising event held by the opposition to launch its election campaign.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-25\" href=\"#footnote-25\"\u003e[25]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand increased by 235% on January 7 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior in the wake of severe restrictions on access to X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePakistan authorities previously blocked the same social media platforms for seven hours around the time of an earlier online opposition event on December 17, which led to a similar surge of 229% in VPN demand in Pakistan.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNorth Carolina \u0026#038; Montana, U.S.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorth Carolina: 266% (peak)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMontana: 482% (peak)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e December 28 (ongoing)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorth Carolina and Montana both passed new age verification laws last year, imposing restrictions on people looking to access adult material online. The laws came into effect on January 1 2024, leading to a surge in VPN demand in both states on December 28, which has continued into the new year.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Montana, demand peaked on December 29 at 482% higher than the daily average over the previous 28 days, while on the same day in North Carolina, demand was 266% higher than average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn both states, demand for VPN services \u003cb\u003ebegan to increase again on January 2\u003c/b\u003e, reversing a slight downward trend following the initial peak. In Montana, it was 386% higher on average on January 2 while in North Carolina, demand was 229% higher on the same date.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe average daily increase in VPN demand in Montana since December 28 has been 172%. In North Carolina, it has been up by 113%. While VPN demand dipped to just below average for a couple of days mid-month, it has since begun to climb significantly once more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_1335788\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1335788\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1335788 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2024/01/VPN-Demand-Montana-N-Carolina_updated_2.png\" alt=\"Chart showing the increase in VPN demand in Montana and North Carolina, U.S compared to the daily average prior to December 28, 2023\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-1335788\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eChart showing the increase in VPN demand in Montana and North Carolina, U.S compared to the daily average prior to December 28, 2023.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"2024","include_in_nav":true}},{"heading":"VPN Demand Surges in 2023","content":"\u003ch3\u003eIraq\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 72%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e August 6\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthorities in Iraq blocked access to the Telegram messaging app on August 6 over what it claimed were national security concerns. The Iraqi telecoms ministry also accused Telegram, which is very popular in the country, of mishandling users\u0026#8217; personal data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services immediately surged by 72% on August 6 compared to the daily average over the previous 30 days.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eISPs in Iraq blocked access to Telegram via TCP/IP interference. This is done by making a specific IP address unreachable or injecting TCP RST packets during the connection between the client and target IP. TCP/IP-level blocks can be circumvented by using a VPN. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA government-owned network also showed evidence of BGP hijacking. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"senegal-2023\"\u003eSenegal\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 60,399%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e June 1 (ongoing)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Senegal rose by over 60,000% on June 2 compared to the daily average after the government restricted access to social media platforms and messaging services. It is the single largest increase in VPN demand by some distance that we have ever recorded.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA government official said social media platforms had been blocked to prevent the \u0026#8220;dissemination of hate and subversive messages\u0026#8221;.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn July 31, VPN demand rose again by 966% after the government imposed restrictions on mobile internet access, again offering the same excuse for doing so. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following table lists the daily increases in VPN demand in Senegal compared to the 28-day daily average prior to the restrictions:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"table-default table-stacked table-1col_left-rest_centre\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDate\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVPN Demand Increase\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"Date\"\u003eThursday, 1 June 2023\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"VPN Demand Increase\"\u003e8,197%\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"Date\"\u003eFriday, 2 June 2023\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"VPN Demand Increase\"\u003e60,399%\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"Date\"\u003eSaturday, 3 June 2023\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"VPN Demand Increase\"\u003e18,241%\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"Date\"\u003eSunday, 4 June 2023\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"VPN Demand Increase\"\u003e6,702%\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"Date\"\u003eMonday, 5 June 2023\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"VPN Demand Increase\"\u003e4,586%\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"Date\"\u003eTuesday, 6 June 2023\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"VPN Demand Increase\"\u003e2,304%\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"Date\"\u003eWednesday, 7 June 2023\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"VPN Demand Increase\"\u003e1,445%\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"Date\"\u003eMonday, 31 July 2023\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-header=\"VPN Demand Increase\"\u003e966%\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"block-highlighted\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eISPs in Senegal are \u003ca href=\"https://explorer.ooni.org/chart/mat?test_name=web_connectivity\u0026#038;axis_x=measurement_start_day\u0026#038;since=2023-05-06\u0026#038;until=2023-06-06\u0026#038;time_grain=day\u0026#038;probe_cc=SN\u0026#038;category_code=GRP\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eblocking access to social media platforms\u003c/a\u003e by timing out the connection via \u003ca href=\"https://ooni.org/support/interpreting-ooni-data/#connection-timeout\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTLS interference\u003c/a\u003e. This is different to disruptions that occur at the DNS level or IP blocking and may indicate the presence of deep packet inspection (DPI) technology as the failure occurs after the TLS ClientHello message. This type of interference can be circumvented by using a VPN.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTurkey\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 99%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e May 12-14 2023\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Turkey began to increase significantly in the days immediately before the country went to the polls on May 14 for its presidential election.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn May 12 VPN demand increased by 68% compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days. It doubled (99%) on May 13 compared to the 28-day average as authorities began restricting access to popular local social media platform Eksi Sozluk. On the day of the vote, VPN demand remained 56% higher than average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to Eksi Sozluk was previously blocked in February by the Turkish government. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePakistan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 1,329%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e May 9-15 2023 \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Pakistan surged after authorities blocked access to Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms on May 9 following the public outcry over the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-24\" href=\"#footnote-24\"\u003e[24]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services spiked by 311% on May 9 compared to the daily average over the preceding 28 days before rocketing to 1,329% above that average on May 10. VPN demand remained greatly elevated on May 11 at 1,050% above the daily average. While VPN demand has softened in the days since then, it remains on average 673% higher than it was in the period leading up to Khan\u0026#8217;s arrest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to mobile broadband services were also cut \u0026#8220;indefinitely\u0026#8221; across the country, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUtah, U.S.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 847% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e May 1-3 2023 \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Utah have skyrocketed after adult website Pornhub disabled its website for visitors from the U.S. state due to the introduction of new age verification laws on May 2.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-23\" href=\"#footnote-23\"\u003e[23]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand began to rise the day before the new rules kicked in, increasing by 142% on May 1 compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. On May 2, demand for VPN services surged by 847% compared to that baseline. On May 3, the surge in VPN demand in Utah had slowed a little but remained 767% higher than average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBrazil\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 192% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 27-29 Apr 2023\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Brazil has surged following local authorities\u0026#8217; decision to block Telegram. VPN demand on April 27 spiked 192% higher than the daily average over the previous 28 days. The increase in VPN demand in Brazil continue into April 28 when it was 128% higher than the baseline and remained 49% higher the following day.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to Telegram was blocked as a result of a court order due to the messaging platform\u0026#8217;s refusal to supply user data on far-right groups.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-22\" href=\"#footnote-22\"\u003e[22]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eItaly\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 678% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 01 Apr 2023\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Italy surged by 678% on April 1 compared to the daily average over the prior 28 days. This increase came as Italian authorities temporarily banned ChatGPT based on its lack of age verification and the massive data collection and storage that underpins it.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-21\" href=\"#footnote-21\"\u003e[21]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services remained higher than average in the days that followed, at more than four times (315%) higher than average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEthiopia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 3,651% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 9 Feb \u0026#8211; 19 July 2023 \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Ethiopia spiked massively after authorities restricted access to Facebook, Telegram and TikTok on February 9 due to religious tensions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services surged by 414% the same day compared the daily average over the prior 28 days. After authorities also blocked access to YouTube, VPN demand peaked at 3,651% higher than the average. Access has yet to be restored to the blocked social media platforms and while VPN demand may have dropped from its initial peak, it remained high on March 20 at 317% higher than it was before the restrictions were implemented.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_1431730\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1431730\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1431730 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2024/03/VPN-Demand-Ethiopia.png\" alt=\"Changes in VPN demand in Ethiopia compared to the 28-day average\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-1431730\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eChanges in VPN demand in Ethiopia compared to the 28-day average.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTurkey\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 60%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 22 Feb 2023\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Turkey experienced another notable increase on February 22. The 60% uplift followed the ban on local social media platform Ekşi Sözlük, which is similar to Reddit. No reason has been given for the block.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe increase in VPN demand was in comparison with the daily average over the preceding 28 days. Note that we excluded February 8 from this baseline as VPN demand spiked by 491% that day in response to Turkish authorities blocking Twitter.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNote: we updated the previously published increase of 41% to 60% once the full day\u0026#8217;s data was available.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTurkey\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 491%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 8 Feb 2023\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Turkey immediately surged on February 8 following reports that Twitter had been blocked on several major ISPs in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand rapidly increased over course of the day compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. By 1600 GMT VPN demand was 157% higher than the average and by the end of the day, it was up 491%.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the Turkish government did not announce or comment on the social media restrictions, the Twitter block came a day after a speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that warned that he would not allow \u0026#8220;disinformation\u0026#8221; to spread in the wake of the earthquakes.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-19\" href=\"#footnote-19\"\u003e[19]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-20\" href=\"#footnote-20\"\u003e[20]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNetblocks confirmed the new internet restrictions: \u0026#8220;Twitter is now restricted on some of the main internet providers in #Turkey by means of SNI filtering. The measure is distinct from the impact of the recent earthquake\u0026#8221;.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to the social media platform was restored on February 9.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"louisiana\"\u003eLouisiana, U.S.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 246%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e January 2023\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services jumped by 210% on December 31 in the the U.S. state of Louisiana compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior. \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe increase came on the on the eve of new laws requiring age verification of Louisiana residents who visit adult websites that took effect from January 1.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-18\" href=\"#footnote-18\"\u003e[18]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDaily VPN demand has remained elevated since then, peaking at 246% higher than the average on January 2 and was still 205% higher than the baseline on January 4.\u003c/p\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"2023","include_in_nav":true}},{"heading":"VPN Demand Surges in 2022","content":"\u003ch3\u003eJordan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 249% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 16 December\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand surged by 249% in Jordan compared to the daily average over the 28 days prior in the wake of authorities\u0026#8217; decision to block TikTok during demonstrations over high fuel prices.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough VPN demand decreased slightly, it remained 175% above average on December 18.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChina\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 184% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 4 \u0026#8211; 30 November\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"block-highlighted\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c/b\u003e due to the ban on VPNs in China, our usual monitoring methods are not available. In order to gauge current \u0026#8220;demand\u0026#8221;, we have instead analyzed Twitter data as a proxy for our usual data. See \u003ca href=\"#methodology\"\u003emethodology\u003c/a\u003e for more details.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe number of Chinese-language tweets relating to VPNs has surged several times over the course of November as demonstrations took place in China due to popular resentment towards the country\u0026#8217;s zero-Covid policy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN-related tweets in Chinese soared by \u003cb\u003e184% on November 4\u003c/b\u003e compared to the average over the prior three months and also remained 159% higher than the average the following day. This increase corresponds with demonstrations in Guangzhou over the same period.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-15\" href=\"#footnote-15\"\u003e[15]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn November 14, Chinese-language VPN tweets \u003cb\u003ejumped 162%\u003c/b\u003e above the average, as demonstrations took place in Wuhan.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-16\" href=\"#footnote-16\"\u003e[16]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN tweets in Chinese again spiked on \u003cb\u003eNovember 29 at 183%\u003c/b\u003e above the average. VPN tweets were more than double the average both the day before this peak and the day after. These increases corresponded with mass demonstrations across China.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-17\" href=\"#footnote-17\"\u003e[17]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_788255\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-788255\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-788255 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2022/12/China_VPN_tweet_1.jpg\" alt=\"Chinese-language tweet relating to VPN use during demonstrations in November 2022\" width=\"600\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-788255\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eChinese-language tweet relating to VPN use during demonstrations in November 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTurkey\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 771%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 13 November\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Turkey spiked after authorities temporarily blocked access to Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook in the aftermath of a bombing in Taksim, Istanbul on November 13.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-14\" href=\"#footnote-14\"\u003e[14]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e The blocks were part of a broader media blackout that was imposed by the Turkish government.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services immediately increased by 771% compared to the daily average over the previous 30 days. Access to the blocked social media platforms was restored after around 10 hours.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKyrgyzstan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 147%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 22 October\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services increased in Kyrgyzstan on October 22 ahead of planned demonstrations.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-12\" href=\"#footnote-12\"\u003e[12]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spike of 147% compared to the daily average over the 30 days prior. Comparing VPN demand on October 22 with a longer period, such as the average of the preceding 90 days, results in an even higher figure of 221%.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile there a was a significant drop in internet connectivity in Kyrgyzstan reported on October 24, it appears that this was not a deliberate government internet outage.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-13\" href=\"#footnote-13\"\u003e[13]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIran\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 3,082% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 22 September-31 October\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand surged in Iran as authorities blocked Instagram and WhatsApp on September 21 in response to public marches in response to the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services to circumvent the social media blocks rocketed by \u003cb\u003e2,164%\u003c/b\u003e on September 22 compared to the 28 days prior. VPN demand rose further still in the following days, peaking at \u003cb\u003e3,082%\u003c/b\u003e higher than before the demonstrations on September 26.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe average daily demand for VPN services has remained very high since that peak at 951% above the baseline. VPN demand began to soften significantly compared to the peak however on October 12, which may reflect that the Iranian authorities are have increasing success at blocking VPN traffic.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_770660\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-770660\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-770660 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2022/11/Iran-VPN-demand-chart-021122.svg\" alt=\"Chart showing daily VPN demand increases in Iran compared with the daily average over the 28 days prior to September 21, 2022\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-770660\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eChart showing daily VPN demand increases in Iran compared with the daily average over the 28 days prior to September 21, 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"azerbaijan\"\u003eAzerbaijan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 751%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 14 September\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArmenia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 84%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 13-14 September\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services spiked in Azerbaijan and Armenia after TikTok was blocked in both countries following a renewal of the dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region on September 12.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Azerbaijan increased by 751% on the day of the announcement compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days. In Armenia, demand for VPN services increased by 84% on September 13 compared to the 28 days prior and continued to remain elevated by 26% the following day.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndonesia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 196%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e July 30-31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services increased by 196% on July 30 in Indonesia compared with the daily average over the 28 days prior. The spike came as the Indonesian government blocked access to PayPal and major gaming platforms for failing to comply with new regulations. VPN demand remained 70% higher than average on July 31 despite Indonesia already having the \u003ca href=\"/research/global-vpn-usage-statistics/\"\u003ehighest VPN usage in the world\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Indonesian government has since temporarily lifted the block on PayPal following an outcry in order to allow users to withdraw funds. Gaming platforms Epic Games, which is required to play Fortnite, Steam and Origin, remain blocked by the authorities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSri Lanka\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 17,075%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e April 3\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Sri Lanka soared by 17,075% on April 3 after social media platforms Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp were blocked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe government internet outage came during a nationwide curfew imposed on April 1 to contain demonstrations over worsening economic conditions and severe shortages.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surge in VPN demand, which is compared to the daily average over the prior 28 days, followed a spike of 2,352% the day before on April 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNote: The total VPN demand figure was originally posted as 14,008% but has since been updated.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"russia\"\u003eRussia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 2,692% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e February 24-March 31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand was resurgent in Russia going into the weekend of March 12-13 as the Russian authorities \u003cstrong\u003ebanned Instagram\u003c/strong\u003e in retaliation for parent company Meta permitting calls to violence against the Russian military to remain on its platforms.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services \u003cb\u003epeaked at 2,692% on March 14\u003c/b\u003e compared to the average daily demand in the week leading up February 24. This latest peak followed three days of sustained surging interest. As of \u003cb\u003eMarch 31\u003c/b\u003e, demand for VPNs had softened but remained highly elevated at 243% above normal, while the average daily VPN demand between March 15-31 has been 617% higher than normal.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe official ban on Facebook and Twitter on March 4 had previously stoked demand for \u003ca href=\"/best-vpn/russia/\"\u003eVPN services that work in Russia\u003c/a\u003e, pushing it over 1,000% higher than the baseline for two consecutive days\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe restrictions on Facebook and Twitter had begun over the weekend of Feb 26-27 with internet speeds upon accessing those platforms so severely throttled as to render them unusable, prompting Russians to turn in increasing numbers to VPN services. VPN demand increased over the course of that week and by March 3 was over 750% higher than the baseline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"attachment_285133\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"\u003e\u003cimg aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-285133\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-285133 size-full\" src=\"/assets/2022/04/Russia-VPN-demand-chart-140422.svg\" alt=\"Chart showing daily VPN demand increases in Russia compared with the daily average between 17-23 February, 2022\" width=\"800\" height=\"569\" /\u003e\u003cp id=\"caption-attachment-285133\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"\u003eChart showing daily VPN demand increases in Russia compared with the daily average between 17-23 February, 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur analysis of Russia\u0026#8217;s central register of blocked sites shows that the \u003ca href=\"/research/websites-blocked-in-russia/\"\u003eKremlin has blocked over 1,000 sites relating to the war\u003c/a\u003e since February, including BBC News, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America Russian-language sites.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Russian authorities confirmed on March 15 that they had been trying to block VPN traffic and would continue to do so. \u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-11\" href=\"#footnote-11\"\u003e[11]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUkraine\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 609% (peak)\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e February 15-March 23\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand skyrocketed over the weekend of Feb 26-27. On Mon Feb 28, demand was 544% higher than the daily average in the first half of the month.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand continued to rise over the week, peaking on March 2 at 609% higher than before February 24.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the three weeks since, average daily VPN demand has softened but remains very high comparatively, at 256% above the baseline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Ukraine began to rise from February 15 due to increasing cyber-attacks,\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-10\" href=\"#footnote-10\"\u003e[10]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e climbing by 40% in the days before February 24.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"myanmar-jan\"\u003eMyanmar\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 53%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e January 25\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a VPN ban looming\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-9\" href=\"#footnote-9\"\u003e[9]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e in Myanmar, demand for the anti-censorship software has started to ramp up once more. It was 53% higher on Jan 25 compared to daily average over the previous 28 days and was likely to exceed that again by the end of today (Jan 26).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs of January 2022 and with Facebook still blocked, VPN demand was 464% higher overall in the year since the coup compared to the previous 12 months.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCambodia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 47%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e December 2021 \u0026#8211; January 2022\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN Demand in Cambodia has been increasing as the deadline for mandatory adoption of a new internet gateway approaches in February. In December, VPN demand was 56% higher than it was before the changes were announced in February 2021. In January demand has so far been 37% higher than it was before the new law was unveiled.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"kazakhstan\"\u003eKazakhstan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 3,405%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 5 January 2022\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services surged 3,405% in Kazakhstan on January 5 compared to the daily average over the previous 30 days due to anti-government demonstrations. The increased demand was likely sparked by the disruption of mobile internet access by the Kazakh authorities on January 4-5. The government imposed a full internet blackout in the late afternoon of January 5.\u003c/p\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"2022","include_in_nav":true}},{"heading":"VPN Demand Surges in 2021","content":"\u003ch3 id=\"ethiopia-oct\"\u003eEthiopia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 5,109%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 8-11 November 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Ethiopia began to surge on November 8 when authorities blocked Facebook, Messenger and Instagram following a leak of exam papers online.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN was initially 1,661% higher than the average over the 28 days prior before peaking the following day on November 9 when it was 5,109% higher than average. While demand then began to soften, it remained 3,464% higher on November 10.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith social media still blocked at the time of publication, VPN demand remains 718% higher than average in Ethiopia.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSingapore\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 39%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 02 October 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Singapore government passed a draconian new law on October 5 that would allow it to crack down on \u0026#8220;subversive\u0026#8221; content by forcing ISPs and social media platforms to hand over user information, block content and remove offending apps.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite VPN services already being popular in Singapore, demand surged in the lead-up to the marathon parliamentary session that approved the legislation, peaking on October 2 at \u003cb\u003e39% higher than the daily average\u003c/b\u003e over the previous weeks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the seven days leading up to the law change, VPN demand was on average \u003cb\u003e19% higher\u003c/b\u003e than the previous weeks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"zambia\"\u003eZambia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 16,341%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 12 August 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Zambian government confirmed that it would shut down internet access as the country voted in its national elections on August 12.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-8\" href=\"#footnote-8\"\u003e[8]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN software rocketed on the day of the shutdown, which blocked access to WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. It increased by \u003cb\u003e16,341%\u003c/b\u003e compared to the daily average over the three weeks leading up to the announcement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand remained at a similar level on the second day of the shutdown, on August 13. It was almost 14,000% higher than it had been prior to the announcement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand had already been on average 95% higher over the seven days between the announcement of the shutdown and it coming into effect, compared to the three weeks leading up to it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand on August 12 jumped \u003cb\u003e5,886%\u003c/b\u003e overnight compared to the day before, when VPN demand had been 176% higher than before the announcement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNote: Previous updates also showed earlier increases from August 10 when VPN demand was 151% higher than before the shutdown was announced.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHong Kong\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 50%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 22 June 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services jumped by 50% in Hong Kong on June 22 compared to the average for the prior 30 days. This followed the announcement that pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily would close at midnight on June 23.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rise of 50% in Hong Kong is a significant increase as \u003ca href=\"/what-is-a-vpn/what-are-vpns-used-for/\"\u003eVPNs are already widely used there to circumvent censorship\u003c/a\u003e and avoid surveillance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"nigeria-june\"\u003eNigeria\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 1,409%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 5 June 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in Nigeria spiked on June 5 after Twitter was blocked by the government in retaliation for the removal of a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari for breaching the social media platform\u0026#8217;s rules.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe government announced the indefinite Twitter ban on June 4, prompting an initial surge in VPN demand of 143% compared to the 30 days prior. The shutdown didn\u0026#8217;t actually come into effect until the following day, when demand for VPN services soared by 1,409% compared to the same period.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand remained at 405% higher than the baseline on June 6. On Jun 7 it stood at 222% higher than prior to the announcement of the ban.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMyanmar\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 672%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e Ongoing\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSee \u003ca href=\"#myanmar-jan\"\u003einitial entry for Myanmar\u003c/a\u003e for data relating to period immediately following coup.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe people of Myanmar continue to experience \u003ca href=\"/research/cost-of-internet-shutdowns/\"\u003erolling social media shutdowns\u003c/a\u003e and a mobile internet blackout, months on from the coup at the start of February.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgainst this backdrop and with no end in sight for the internet restrictions, demand for VPN services in the 30 days to May 19 has been 672% higher than the daily average over the month prior to the coup.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e[Update] As of January 2022, and with Facebook still blocked, VPN demand was 464% higher overall in the year since the military coup compared to the previous 12 months.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEthiopia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 342%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 17 May 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter Ethiopia\u0026#8217;s national election was postponed for a second time on May 15, access to Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram was blocked for eight hours on May 17 against a backdrop of an ongoing civil war in the Tigray region.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-7\" href=\"#footnote-7\"\u003e[7]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services to circumvent this and any possible future social media shutdowns immediately surged. Compared to the daily average of the previous five days, demand on May 17 had already increased by 186% at midday local time, an hour after restrictions had been lifted, and then further to 247% by 3pm. By the end of the day, the increase was expected to be around 340% higher than the baseline.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNote: the end-of-day estimate was amended as additional data became available that suggested it would be higher than the 257% initially anticipated.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"colombia\"\u003eColombia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 295%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 4-6 May 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemonstrations against tax hikes imposed by the Colombia government on April 28 have since spread across the country following a harsh response by law enforcement.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-6\" href=\"#footnote-6\"\u003e[6]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the same time as authorities shut down the internet in the Cali region on May 4, nationwide demand for VPN services began to spike, increasing by 148% compared to the seven days prior. The surge peaked the next day at 295% compared to that same period, although it continued remain elevated in the days that followed. On May 6 it remained 169% above the baseline, falling to 76% above that level on May 7.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis trend was even more pronounced in the Valle del Cauca region where the city of Cali is located. VPN demand increased by 314% on May 4 as news of the disruptions emerged, compared to the seven days prior. By May 5, it had spiked at 694% compared to that same period and remained 331% above the baseline on May 6. Demand remained elevated at 80% above the regional baseline on May 9.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndia \u0026#8211; Delhi\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 53%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 17 April 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand increased by 53% in the Delhi region on 17 April compared to the average of the seven days prior. The surge in demand coincided with the start of new social restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndia -Uttar Pradesh\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 96%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 31 March 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services almost doubled on March 31 in the Uttar Pradesh region of India. The region\u0026#8217;s Epidemic Act was due to expire the same day but was extended until June 30.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGermany\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 173%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 27-28 March 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Germany soared 173% over the weekend of 27-28 March as stricter social restrictions were imposed by authorities. This pattern is line with \u003ca href=\"/research/vpn-demand-statistics-2020/\"\u003eprevious research\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"bangladesh\"\u003eBangladesh\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 738%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 27-28 March 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthorities in Bangladesh blocked Facebook and Facebook Messenger on March 26 amid a public outcry over a state visit by the Indian Prime Minister. The social media shutdown prompted a 738% spike in demand for VPN services.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndia \u0026#8211; Karnataka\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 61%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 16-22 March 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the week beginning March 16, demand for VPN services in the Karnataka region of India increased by 31% compared to the prior 30-day average. This came a day after possible new social restrictions were discussed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndia- Tamil Nadu\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 53%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 16-22 March 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand in the Tamil Nadu region of India increased by 31% over the week beginning March 16 compared to the prior 30-day average. During this period political leaders asked authorities to intensify social restrictions and punish those who breached safety guidelines.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHong Kong\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 245%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 11 March 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services in Hong Kong increased 245% on March 11, the same day that the Chinese legislature approved a resolution tightening control over the city\u0026#8217;s electoral system.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-5\" href=\"#footnote-5\"\u003e[5]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand had already increased by 27% on March 10, compared to the 30 days prior, before the surge on the day of the vote, which was almost three-and-a-half times the average of the previous 30 days.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndia \u0026#8211; Maharashtra\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 109%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 10 March 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 109% increase in VPN demand compared to the seven days prior coincided with warnings potential new social restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSenegal\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 4,200%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 04-05 March 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFacebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Telegram were blocked following demonstrations over the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. VPN demand surged by over 1,000% that day compared to the prior seven-day average. As of March 5, demand has now risen by over 4,200% compared to the same prior period.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"myanmar-feb\"\u003eMyanmar\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 7,200%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 04 Feb 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN services skyrocketed in Myanmar after the authorities blocked access to Facebook in the wake of a coup. This social media shutdown has been imposed to \u0026#8220;maintain stability\u0026#8221;.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-3\" href=\"#footnote-3\"\u003e[3]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the week following the Facebook ban, the ruling junta also proposed new cybersecurity laws that would allow it to censor any content it didn\u0026#8217;t like.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-4\" href=\"#footnote-4\"\u003e[4]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e During this period, VPN demand remained significantly elevated at 1,419% higher than the average over the week leading up to the Feb 4 ban.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo months on, demand for VPN remains elevated compared to before the military takeover. On March 29, demand was 184% higher than the baseline prior to restrictions starting.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNote: VPN demand increased sharply over the course of Feb 4 and we updated the page several times to track it. At 10am GMT demand had increased by 4,300% compared to the average of the seven days prior. By the end of the day it was up by 7,200%.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"uganda\"\u003eUganda\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 1,015%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 18-22 Jan 2021\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUgandan authorities restored internet access on Jan 18 following a five-day blackout around the nation\u0026#8217;s election but social media remained blocked. VPN demand surged 1,015% over next four days following an initial peak of 1,343% on the first day of the social media shutdown.\u003c/p\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"2021","include_in_nav":true}},{"heading":"VPN Demand Surges in 2020","content":"\u003ch3\u003eThailand\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 640%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 02 Nov 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blocking of Pornhub and 190 other adult websites\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-2\" href=\"#footnote-2\"\u003e[2]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e led to a jump in VPN demand of 640% compared to the country’s Sept-Oct daily average.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"tanzania\"\u003eTanzania\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 18,823%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 27 Oct-06 Nov 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwitter, Instagram and WhatsApp were blocked via Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo, Halotel and Zantel in Tanzania on the eve of presidential and national assembly elections.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA partial internet shutdown was also brought in across Tanzania on the eve of presidential and national assembly elections, affecting all telecom providers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"guinea-oct\"\u003eGuinea\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 3,043%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 23-27 Oct 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn internet blackout impacted Orange network users ahead of Guinea’s presidential election result, with connectivity at only 9% of ordinary levels.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsers of MTN and Cellcom telecom networks experienced a social media shutdown ahead of Guinea’s presidential election result.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"nigeria-oct\"\u003eNigeria\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 239%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 20 Oct 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemonstrations over policy brutality, specifically the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), in Nigeria caused a rise in VPN demand as protestors feared an internet shutdown and prepared for the worst.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKyrgyzstan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 29%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 05-06 Oct 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublic accusations that the previous day’s election had been rigged led the Kyrgyzstan government to enact a partial internet blackout on the 5th October. The blackout reduced internet connectivity to 0.85%.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAzerbaijan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase\u003c/b\u003e 1,646%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 27 Sep-12 Nov 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to Facebook, Youtube, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter became blocked following clashes in Armenia on 27th September over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"algeria\"\u003eAlgeria\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 828%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 13-14 Sep 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA short internet blackout was followed by social media shutdown intended to prevent cheating on school exams.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"belarus\"\u003eBelarus\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 650%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e August 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand increased 650% over August compared to the previous month following the 9 August election. Internet disruptions were implemented as part of a crackdown on extended demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko, accused of rigging the results of the election.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEthiopia\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 740%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 30 Jun-23 Jul 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthiopian authorities cut internet access as part of their crackdown on the demonstrations against the killing of a popular singer. Demand for VPNs increased by 740% over the 23-day disruption.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"burundi\"\u003eBurundi\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 5,686%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 20-21 May 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis massive surge in VPN demand was prompted by the shutdown of access to all social media platforms and messaging apps on election day in Burundi.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"guinea-mar\"\u003eGuinea\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 1,257%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 20-23 Mar 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe day after an initial short internet blackout on March 20, Orange and MTN networks blocked Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter for 36 hours while votes were cast during a controversial referendum in Guinea. VPN demand spiked 1,257% during this time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndia (Manipur)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 43%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 16-18 Mar 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN increased by 43% after authorities ordered mobile internet services to be shut down. This was ordered due to a land dispute on the basis that it would prevent the misuse of social media.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndia (Jammu and Kashmir)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 44%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 04-07 Mar 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the longest internet shutdown ever imposed in a democracy was lifted in March, relief was short-lived in Kashmir. Internet access remains nominal, as speeds were immediately severely throttled to 2G levels. VPN demand surged by 44% over the first four days of the new restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIndia (Meghalaya)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 19%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 28-29 Feb 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand increased by 19% following a mobile internet blackout in a number of Meghalaya districts (East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"turkey\"\u003eTurkey\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 810%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 27-28 Feb 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for \u003ca href=\"/best-vpn/turkey/\"\u003eVPN services in Turkey\u003c/a\u003e surged after authorities blocked access to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Youtube in Turkey on the day of an attack on Turkish troops in Idlib, Syria.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTogo\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 342%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 22 Feb 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn election day in Togo, access to Facebook and WhatsApp via Togo Telecom was cut from around 17:00. The country\u0026#8217;s media claimed the block was politically motivated. VPN demand spiked 342% as a result.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eYemen\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 175%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 10-16 Jan 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis week-long internet blackout arose from the long-running conflict in the region between rebels and the coalition government. While the exact cause for the outage remains disputed, VPN demand surged by 175% during the disruption.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"venezuela\"\u003eVenezuela\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 1,731%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e 05 Jan 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDemand for VPN service shot up by 1,731% when Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Youtube were blocked on the morning of the National Assembly Leadership vote.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMyanmar (Chin, Rakhine)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVPN demand increase:\u003c/b\u003e 238%\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c/b\u003e Jan 2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVPN demand increased 238% month-on-month in March. This surge came amid internet disruptions in Chin and Rakhine states dating back to 2019 that didn\u0026#8217;t end until August the following year.\u003csup\u003e\u003ca id=\"fn-1\" href=\"#footnote-1\"\u003e[1]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"2020","include_in_nav":true}},{"heading":"The Importance of VPNs","content":"\u003cp\u003eWith more countries adopting internet monitoring and filtering tools to restrict free communication and access to information, VPNs have become key tools in the fight against online surveillance and censorship.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate and secure VPN services, specifically designed to bypass web censorship, let everyday people regain access to the free internet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe advanced \u003ca href=\"https://www.top10vpn.com/guides/vpn-obfuscation/\"\u003eobfuscation tools\u003c/a\u003e employed can overcome the most aggressive web content blocks, especially in countries like China and Turkey.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot every VPN is safe to use or effective at circumventing web censors. It\u0026#8217;s therefore vital to use a \u003ca href=\"/best-vpn/china/\"\u003eVPN verified to beat censorship\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"Methodology","include_in_nav":false}},{"heading":"Methodology","content":"\u003cp\u003eUsing our global monitoring data, we continuously analyze daily VPN search volume by country. Where we identify step changes in demand compared to previous weeks that correlate with socio-political events in a particular region, we add the statistics to this page.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo calculate the increase in demand, we typically compare the average daily search volume during the period of elevated demand with the daily average for the thirty days prior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere this is not possible or not the most useful comparison, we calculate the delta from the previous seven-day period or look at month-over-month statistics. This is indicated in the relevant entry where appropriate.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor China, we scraped Chinese-language tweets containing reference to VPN. We cleaned this data to remove as many false positives as possible. We calculated the average number of tweets between August 1 and October 31 and used that as a baseline for comparison.\u003c/p\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"Methodology","include_in_nav":true}},{"heading":"References","content":"\u003cp id=\"footnote-1\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[1] https://www.accessnow.org/internet-shutdowns-2020-elections/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-1\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-2\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-thailand-porn/savepornhub-thailands-online-porn-ban-prompts-backlash-idUKKBN27J0KM?edition-redirect=uk \u003ca href=\"#fn-2\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-3\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-55923486 \u003ca href=\"#fn-3\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-4\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[4] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/myanmar-military-government-s-cyber-bill-would-violate-rights-14165312 \u003ca href=\"#fn-4\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-5\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-56356046 \u003ca href=\"#fn-5\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-6\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[6] https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/05/colombia-llamado-urgente-cesar-violencia-contra-pueblos-indigenas/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-6\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-7\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[7] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/social-media-restricted-ethiopia-netblocks-says-2021-05-17/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-7\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-8\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[8] https://www.lusakatimes.com/2021/08/05/zambia-to-shut-down-the-internet-on-voting-day-as-facebook-urges-government-to-keep-internet-open/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-8\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-9\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[9] https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Crisis/Myanmar-renews-plans-to-curb-internet-usage-with-VPN-ban/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-9\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-10\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[10] https://netblocks.org/reports/internet-disruptions-registered-as-russia-moves-in-on-ukraine-W80p4k8K \u003ca href=\"#fn-10\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-11\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[11] https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/76778/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-11\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-12\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[12] https://eurasianet.org/kyrgyzstan-mass-arrests-over-opposition-to-uzbekistan-border-deal \u003ca href=\"#fn-12\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-13\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[13] https://twitter.com/netblocks/status/1584474670577127424 \u003ca href=\"#fn-13\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-14\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[14] https://netblocks.org/reports/social-media-restricted-in-turkey-after-blast-in-taksim-istanbul-7yNnr0yq \u003ca href=\"#fn-14\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-15\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[15] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/15/covid-curbs-fuel-unrest-in-southern-chinese-city-video-shows \u003ca href=\"#fn-15\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-16\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[16] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-reports-4045-new-covid-cases-nov-3-vs-3372-day-earlier-2022-11-04/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-16\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-17\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[17] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-63805188 \u003ca href=\"#fn-17\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-18\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[18] https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/03/you-must-now-verify-your-drivers-license-to-watch-pornhub-in-louisiana/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-18\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-19\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[19] https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/08/turkey-blocks-twitter-after-public-criticism-of-quake-response/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-19\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-20\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[20] https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-earthquake-twitter-restricted-complicating-rescue \u003ca href=\"#fn-20\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-21\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[21] https://www.reuters.com/technology/germany-principle-could-block-chat-gpt-if-needed-data-protection-chief-2023-04-03/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-21\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-22\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[22] https://netblocks.org/reports/telegram-restricted-in-brazil-after-refusal-to-supply-user-data-to-authorities-JBZxOr86 \u003ca href=\"#fn-22\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-23\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[23] https://www.vice.com/en/article/93kbkv/pornhub-blocks-utah-age-verification \u003ca href=\"#fn-23\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-24\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[24] https://netblocks.org/reports/internet-disrupted-in-pakistan-amid-arrest-of-former-pm-imran-khan-JA6RmrAQ \u003ca href=\"#fn-24\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-25\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[25] https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-reports-internet-outage-ahead-of-pti-virtual-fundraiser-imran-khan-party-says-absolutely-shameful-1654971 \u003ca href=\"#fn-25\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-26\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[26] https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/pakistan-sees-nationwide-internet-disruption-again-expert-says-outage-remarkably-systematic-11705763200442.html \u003ca href=\"#fn-26\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-27\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[27] https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-censorship-virtual-private-network-facebook-79fb4cc0c3c4317844d0c00b0be1d9d1 \u003ca href=\"#fn-27\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-28\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[28] https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/25/internet-goes-dark-in-kenya-in-the-wake-of-major-protests-over-finance-bill/?guccounter=1 \u003ca href=\"#fn-28\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-29\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[29] https://therecord.media/bangladesh-mobile-internet-social-media-outages-student-protests \u003ca href=\"#fn-29\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-30\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[30] https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/telecom-regulation/17059-mobile-internet-in-bangladesh-to-stay-dark-until-at-least-sunday.html \u003ca href=\"#fn-30\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-31\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[31] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/2/turkey-blocks-instagram-after-censorship-row \u003ca href=\"#fn-31\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-32\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[32] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgjv857plevo \u003ca href=\"#fn-32\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-33\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[33] https://web.archive.org/web/20240819102001/https://status.proton.me/incidents/0frlp8crn7kx \u003ca href=\"#fn-33\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-34\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[34] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crkmpe53l6jo \u003ca href=\"#fn-34\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-35\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[35] https://www.al.com/news/2024/09/pornhub-blocks-access-in-alabama-over-state-law-requiring-age-verification-citing-privacy-concerns.html \u003ca href=\"#fn-35\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-36\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[36] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mauritius-suspends-social-media-until-after-election-communications-regulator-2024-11-01/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-36\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"footnote-37\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e[37] https://www.reddit.com/r/VPN/comments/1i4piu6/tiktok_officially_banned_for_me_any/ \u003ca href=\"#fn-37\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","highlight_chapter":false,"jumplinks":{"nav_label":"Jul-Sep 22","include_in_nav":false}}]},"visibility":{"view_password":null}},"placeholders":{"totalProductCount":{"value":61,"format":"number"},"totalProviderCount":{"value":61,"format":"number"},"totalUserReviews":{"value":4749,"format":"number"},"totalUserReviewsCount":{"value":4749,"format":"number"},"globalProviderCount":{"value":49,"format":"number"},"globalProductCount":{"value":61,"format":"number"},"androidtvvpncount":{"value":35,"format":"number"}},"breadcrumbs":{"path":[{"name":"Research","url":"/research/"},{"name":"VPN Software","url":"/research/vpn/"}],"page_name":"VPN Demand Statistics"},"seo":{"title":"VPN Demand Statistics: VPN Demand Surges Around the World","metadesc":"This live tracker documents VPN demand around the world and provides context for these increases. It contains historical VPN demand data from 2020 onwards.","canonical":"https://www.top10vpn.com/research/vpn-demand-statistics/","twitter":{"title":"VPN Demand Statistics: VPN Demand Surges Around the World","image":"https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2022/12/vpn-demand_tw.jpg","description":"This live tracker documents VPN demand around the world and provides context for these increases. It contains historical VPN demand data from 2020 onwards."},"opengraph":{"title":"VPN Demand Statistics: VPN Demand Surges Around the World","image":"https://www.top10vpn.com/images/2021/02/FB_image.jpg","description":"This live tracker documents VPN demand around the world and provides context for these increases. 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