VPN use soars in worldwide period of unrest and warfare

2022 has seen a surge in demands around the globe

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

The 2011 Arab Spring unrests were a pivotal moment in the history of protests. New use of social media and digital technologies allowed citizens to organize mass demonstrations, spreading the wave of dissent even across borders. At the same time, it was also the first time the internet went dark.

Now, 11 years later,internet shutdownsand social media blocks have become common practice among worldwide governments as a means to silence protesters and hide rights abuses.

However, citizens around the world have learned to fight back. And, the answer always lies in digital technology. That’s how security and circumvention software like thebest VPNservices have become the everyman’s favorite weapon in times of conflict.

We recently saw howVPNdemand roseamong Iraniansafterauthorities restricted Instagram and WhatsAppto clamp down on the ongoing rallies over the death of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iranian morality police. VPN downloads soaredmore than 3,000%.

However, 2022 has been witnessing a surge in VPN downloads around the globe since January - perhaps as never before. Below we’ve got a breakdown of the most important events.

2022 at a glance

We’ve had some pretty busy months lately in terms of internet shutdowns, online censorship and cyberattacks. All this pushed people around the world to turn tosecure VPNservices to bypass internet restrictions and protect their digital privacy.

The year kicked off withover 460% more downloads in Myanmarwhere the block of Facebook made the circumvention tool a necessity for Burmese citizens. What’s more, this rise in demand occurred despite the country’sdigital dictatorship seeking to criminalize VPNs.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

This was nothing in comparison with the leap registered inKazakhstan, though. Following disruptions of mobile internet access amid anti-government protests, the rise in VPN demand skyrocketedaround3,400%on January 5.

Another staggering increase came fromSri Lankain April, with a peak ofmore than 17,000%. This prompted the government tolift social media bans as VPNs make it “completely useless.”

Iran highlights how governments continue to use Internet freedom as a weapon>A VPN for #KeepItOn: How tech can mitigate internet shutdowns>Our pick of the best free VPN services in 2022

Between February and March there was the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine to shake people’s digital balance. So that fierce online censorship, together with a rise in cybercrime, has brought VPN demand to a new high in the region.

Russia VPNdownloads kept soaring, reaching apeak of nearly 2,700%. That’s not surprising as the Kremlin boosted its internet restrictions even further, blocking many national and foreign news sites along the way.

InUkraine the demand has seen more than a 600%increasesince the war started. Many providers even offered free subscriptions tosupport journalists working in the country.

InIndonesia there was a surge of 196%in July following new internet regulations that blocked many platforms, like PayPal and Twitter,for failing to comply with new rules.

The same month,VPN downloads soared inCubato bypass internet disruptions enforced to crack down on citizens filling the street to protest against a staggering economic crisis.Over 34,000 morePsiphondownloadswere recorded.

More recently, a military conflict erupted on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, causing a rise of security software across the region. People inAzerbaijan have been downloading VPN services 750% moresince the clashes started on September 14. While, inArmenia, theVPN demand was 84% higherthan in August.

How a VPN can help

Short for virtual private network, a VPN is a security software that spoofs yourIP addresslocation while securing your data inside an encryptedVPN tunnel.

While VPNs are ineffective in case of a complete internet blackout, they are the perfect tool for accessing blocked social media platforms, apps and sites.

During times of conflict, cybercrime is also likely to rise. Authorities might boost their online surveillance to crack down on dissidents, too. Reliable VPN services are then vital forbrowsing the web anonymouslyand preventing nosy governments and malicious actors from accessing your data.

It’s worth noting that authoritarian governments mightblock VPNusage. This is why it’s important to opt for a service integrated withobfuscation technologyto evade these blocks. Other features you should look out for include a strictno-logs policy, strong encryption protocols and additional security options likekill switchandsplit tunneling.

Chiara is a multimedia journalist committed to covering stories to help promote the rights and denounce the abuses of the digital side of life—wherever cybersecurity, markets and politics tangle up.She mainly writes news, interviews and analysis on data privacy, online censorship, digital rights, cybercrime, and security software, with a special focus on VPNs, for TechRadar Pro, TechRadar and Tom’s Guide. Got a story, tip-off or something tech-interesting to say? Reach out to chiara.castro@futurenet.com

3 reasons why PIA fell in our best VPN rankings

Is it still worth using Proton VPN Free?

Quordle today – hints and answers for Saturday, November 9 (game #1020)