Bangladesh social media censorship fuels surge in VPN use
People in Bangladesh have flocked to the best VPN apps to bypass ongoing internet restrictions following widespread anti-government protests.
The first spike in VPN usage was recorded on July 23, 2024, when authorities started to relax fixed internet line restrictions after five days of complete internet shutdown.
Mobile connectivity was restored on Sunday, July 28. However, access to Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp and YouTube remains restricted. still limited at the time of writing. This explains why data shows VPN downloads and signups remain high in the region.
VPNs in Bangladesh – Over 7000% Increase in Usage
Let’s look at some data.
As the graph below shows, Swiss provider Proton VPN alone saw a significant increase in usage in Bangladesh from July 23, with the company confirming to TechRadar a staggering 3,500% spike in registrations above normal levels.
Other reports confirm such a trend in the region. For example, experts at Top10VPN saw VPN downloads increased by 7043% compared to before the Internet outages on July 24.
Despite a slow decline since July 25, data from vpnMentor shows that VPN usage still more than 2500% higher than the weeks leading up to the protests.
How a VPN Can Help Against Internet Restrictions
“This episode of internet censorship shows how important it is to maintain an open and unfiltered internet,” a Proton spokesperson told me. But how exactly can a VPN help with that?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a type of security software that encrypts your internet connections and spoofs your real IP address. While privacy-conscious users have long used such software to increase their online anonymity, VPNs have become mainstream thanks to their IP spoofing capabilities.
Did you know?
Elections are another major trigger for global internet disruptions. With 2024 set to be the biggest election year in modern history, VPNs are now extra crucial. That’s why, since March, Proton VPN has been offering a free network of local anti-censorship servers to all users logging in from high-risk countries. Read more about Proton VPN election support here.
Every time you turn on your VPN app, you will be prompted to connect to one of the international servers. Most providers have a huge network in many countries around the world.
If you choose a server located outside your country, you can trick your ISP into allowing them to access content that is otherwise geographically restricted.
For example, this is the number one reason people use streaming VPN services to continue watching their favorite shows while abroad. VPN usage also continues to increase everywhere, as authorities increasingly restrict access to social media platforms, news channels, and other popular websites – especially during times of political unrest.
Since January alone, Proton has recorded spikes in VPN usage in 11 countries. As with Bangladesh, most of these were linked to civil unrest, including Kenya in late June, New Caledonia in May and Senegal in February.
Since social media platforms are blocked in Bangladesh at the time of writing, VPNs are still an indispensable tool if you’re in the country.
If you’re looking for a reliable VPN service, I recommend you head over to our dedicated page with the best free VPN services to get one of the most secure and reliable freebies. If you’re willing to pay for a subscription, NordVPN is our top recommendation at the moment.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational use. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and enhancing your online privacy abroad. We do not support or tolerate the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. The consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or approved by Future Publishing.
