Hungary has a history of censorship in various forms. Several cases of media censorship have been reported over the years, and more recently, the government has attempted to impose a law banning end-to-end encryption. However, Hungarian citizens can use VPNs legally. Although VPNs are legal in Montenegro, the country has a history of internet restrictions, including blocking the messaging app WhatsApp during an election. Residents of Equatorial Guinea can legally use VPNs. However, the government of this country is known for issues of citizens` freedom of the press. While most people associate Tor with illegal businesses, such as accessing online drug markets, many people use the network for legitimate purposes. The Tor team notes that military personnel use the network and that the U.S. Navy remains a key user. Other Tor users are journalists and activists in countries known for their strict media regulation and internet censorship. With China`s «Great Firewall» in its entirety, VPNs have become extremely popular among residents and visitors alike. The firewall blocks many popular websites such as Google, Facebook, and YouTube. To support the movement, the government has taken serious action against VPNs by blocking providers` websites.
However, this doesn`t always stop people from using a VPN, as you don`t necessarily need to access the VPN website to use any of the native apps. China would also use deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect and block VPN traffic. However, some VPNs may use superior stealth technology to avoid detection. Meanwhile, using a VPN isn`t entirely illegal, but there have been selected cases where VPN providers have been arrested and convicted. In 2017, VPN apps were removed from Apple`s App Store in China at the request of the government. The Embassy of the Philippines does not apostilize or certify documents issued in the Philippines. Private, commercial and legal documents issued in the Philippines for use in another country can only be certified by the Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA). DFA authentication services are provided in the following locations: The Ugandan government is known to enforce censorship when it comes to internet use. This includes blocking social media sites like Facebook, especially during election periods. Until 2018, citizens were free to use VPNs and often did so to bypass social media blocks. However, in July 2018, the government began taxing the use of social media. With the prospect of having to pay to use apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter, more and more users have turned to VPNs.
In response to the increased usage, the government has asked ISPs to block VPN traffic. Although their use is not illegal, the government is trying to convince VPN users. In addition to blocking VPN traffic, government officials have publicly argued that using the VPN will be more expensive than paying the social media tax. In 2013, an anti-drug unit headed by Chief Police Inspector (now Police Major) Rodney Baloyo launched an operation against a certain Chinese citizen in a subdivision of Mexico, Pampanga. However, an alleged recycling of methamphetamine hydroclorides, worth 648 million Philippine pesos, dubbed «Agaw-Bato» by the media and drug lord Johnson Lee, was discovered by Benjamin Magaslong, then head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDG) (now mayor of Baguio), resulting in the dismissal of the 13 police officers nicknamed «ninja cops» (including Baloyo). who participated in the operation in question. In 2019, Magalong revealed that PNP leader Oscar Albayalde, who was then provincial director of Pampanga when the incident occurred, had asked not to implement the dismissal of police officers involved in drug laundering and often took advantage of it with the officers involved. [55] The revelations led Magalong to receive death threats and resign from Albayalde on October 14, 2019.
[56] [57] Guinean residents enjoy unlimited access to the internet and can legally use VPNs. VPNs are also legal in Slovenia and the government does not censor internet use. The Azerbaijani government is known for arresting and punishing activists. They also enforce censorship on the internet, including social media sites and independent news outlets. Despite this, there are no reports that using a VPN has been made illegal. Senegalese citizens are not currently subject to explicit censorship on the Internet. However, as far as the press is concerned, some subjects are taboo, some journalists even receive prison sentences for defamation. The country`s laws also allow the government to enforce increased censorship if it chooses. That being said, it`s legal to use VPNs here.
Citizens of Tajikistan can use VPNs legally. However, the country is known for its online censorship. In 2012, the government blocked Facebook, as well as two news sites, because the content criticized its president. Recently, discussions via an information portal have raised fears that privacy and freedom of expression may be further compromised. According to the 2016 Andorra Human Rights Report, «the government has not restricted or disrupted internet access or censored online content, and there have been no credible reports that the government is monitoring private online communications without proper legal authorization.» Andorra allows its citizens to use the internet without censorship and there is no ban on VPNs. While VPNs are legal in Bulgaria, the government is looking to better control internet usage. It also currently monitors online activity and requires ISPs to provide real-time access to internet traffic. With regard to the use of the Internet, the citizens of Brunei have been subject to State surveillance. Cases of charges made as a result of social media posts have also been reported. However, using VPNs is legal. In Papua New Guinea, reports suggest that new cybercrime laws mean government censorship is on the horizon.
Nevertheless, using a VPN is legal. VPNs are legal in Iran, but with a very big caveat. People can only sign up with a VPN provider that is registered and approved by the government. Since one of the main reasons for using the VPN is access to state-blocked websites like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, this caveat makes government-approved VPNs useless for many. Using the type of VPN that would be useful for most people is not legal and is punishable by 91 days to one year in prison. However, arrests are rare, as the government would be less interested in people accessing sites like Facebook and more interested in using the VPN law to track users who defy the government itself. The use of VPNs in Qatar is legal, although citizens of that country are subject to censorship. Although the government is not directly involved, ISPs are instructed to block certain websites, such as those with obscene content.
Although Canada is considered one of the freest countries in the world, it has unenviable laws on data retention, mass surveillance, and net neutrality.