Last updated on March 7th, 2022 at 10:28 am
India has a large internet user base. However, some websites are banned in the country. To access them, internet users in India use a virtual private network (VPN). There is some grey area concerning its legality.
Using an India VPN is not illegal as it has not been declared illegal by the government of India until now. However, there are some exceptions to using a VPN service in India. Users need to keep them in mind to avoid a legal hassle, irrespective of whether they use a free or paid VPN service.
Going by statistics, about 45% of internet users in India use VPN services. This is a significant figure that underscores the growing trust in VPN services among internet users in the country. Read on to know more about the legitimacy of using a VPN service in India.
All About Using VPNs in India
The central and state governments in India do not encourage internet users to use a VPN. They have not declared it illegal either. Considering both these facts, it can be said that using VPNs is legal in India.
The definition of a VPN and how it works make it crystal clear how it can benefit internet users. It helps access geo-restricted content and enables users to secure their data without compromising their anonymity in an internet session.
Anyone who wants to use a VPN in India can use it for all the benefits it brings to the table. Notwithstanding the useful characteristics of VPN services, users in India need to remain careful while using a VPN service in the country. This is necessary to avoid getting entangled in any legal issue.
How can you use a VPN legally in India? The definition of a VPN in the country depends on the purpose of using it. Not using it for any illegal purpose will ensure the legal use of a VPN. This is the easiest way to use a VPN in India without facing legal issues.
However, it is strongly recommended that a user should use a VPN in India with a no-log policy. Coupled with it, its good speed will provide an invaluable streaming or downloading experience.
Does Indian Police Monitor VPN Users?
In some instances, the police have taken action against users who have misused VPNs. Such users have tried accessing banned sites or engaged in illegal activity using a VPN.
Users undergoing actions by the police in India either used a VPN to access banned websites or engaged in activities that were deemed illegal as per laws in India.
India is one of those countries where the government can block certain websites. The government in India derives this power from the Information Technology Act. Upon being suspicious of the violation of this act, the police have the power to search premises.
The censorship laws in India surrounding VPNs primarily focus on Indian nationals. As such, foreigners who visit the country can expect some relaxation in the laws concerning VPNs. It also gives them one of the good reasons to use a browser VPN on a PC or any other device.
The VPN laws in the border regions of India are slightly different from the other areas. The VPN laws of areas of the former category are stricter compared to the country’s other regions. Such bordering areas primarily include northwest India and Jammu and Kashmir.
Which VPN is Safe for Use in India?
The choice of the right VPN service is imperative in India. This is your best bet to improve your overall experience of using the Internet in conjunction with a virtual private network.
To a large extent, the choice of a VPN service depends on the type of device you use along with it. If you have an Android device, you would be better off choosing a VPN compatible with it. You can follow the same tip for devices that are based on iOS and other operating systems.
In general, UrbanVPN and CyberGhost VPN are the two best options you might want to try out. These VPN services provide a 360-degree performance and meet users’ expectations on various fronts.
Another noteworthy feature of both these options is that they are compatible with all kinds of devices. Thus, as a user, you get the freedom to use them without being worried about your device.
UrbanVPN is one of the top free VPNs for different operating systems that provides premium features free of cost. Other top VPN options that you can use in India are Express VPN, IVPN, Mozilla VPN, and Mullvad VPN.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, using VPNs is not illegal in India. Thus, you can conclude that it is legal. However, VPN users in India must bear in mind certain things. You won’t face any legal consequences if you do not use it for any illegal purpose as per cyber laws in India. Choose one of the above options for the best user experience.
