VPN users increase in Pakistan by 6000 percent

In response to the recent ban on social media platforms in Pakistan, there has been an unprecedented surge in the demand for Virtual Private Networks (VPN), with a staggering 6000% increase, according to Internet privacy company Proton.

Switzerland-based Proton said it had seen major surges in demand in a number of places over the past 12 months. It said it had seen demand hikes of 4,700 per cent in Nepal, 6,000 per cent VPN users increase in Pakistan, 25,000 per cent in Gabon and 100,000 per cent in Senegal, “all in response to political or civil unrest”.

Proton said it would offer a network of free VPN servers for use in many countries holding elections this year that have a history of censorship and repression.

Switzerland-based Proton said its aim was to help local populations circumvent government censorship, and to prevent interference or misinformation during the election campaigns.

The company maintains that tracking demand for its VPN services is a means of early detection of government crackdowns and attacks on free speech.

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According to Proton, monitoring the demand for VPN services serves as a barometer for government crackdowns on internet freedom. Notably, countries like Venezuela, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, and Turkey, facing similar challenges to internet freedom, will benefit from Proton’s provision of free VPN services.

Andy Yen, the head of Proton, stressed the importance of safeguarding democracy and free speech in the face of increasing threats to electoral processes. Yen stated, “2024 will be a pivotal year for democracy globally, as nations grapple with measures that impede free speech and fair elections.”

VPNs, hailed as tools to bypass website restrictions, have emerged as a lifeline for individuals seeking to navigate the digital landscape amidst government-imposed limitations.

As the debate over internet freedom intensifies, the surge in VPN usage serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of upholding fundamental rights in the digital age.