Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in the use of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) due to growing internet restrictions over the past few days. Since November 24, the demand for VPNs has surged dramatically. According to Top10VPN, VPN usage has gone up by 330%.
Proton VPN, a popular service, reported a huge jump in sign-ups—730% on Monday and a staggering 2860% on Tuesday. This increase comes after the government blocked several platforms, including WhatsApp, Bluesky, and others, ahead of planned protests.
Even with the use of VPNs, many popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are still inaccessible in some areas of the country. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also set a deadline for businesses and freelancers to register their VPNs by November 30, 2024.
This move could result in tighter control over VPN access, further limiting internet freedom. The decision has sparked a debate about the commercial use of VPNs, with some arguing that it could lead to a crackdown on online privacy and freedom of speech.
As more people turn to VPNs to bypass government-imposed restrictions, it raises concerns about the balance between security and freedom on the internet. The future of VPN access in Pakistan remains uncertain, especially with the upcoming PTA registration deadline.
