In the wake of Nepal’s sweeping ban on major social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X, one question has rapidly gained momentum among citizens: Is it illegal to use a VPN to bypass these restrictions?
Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, have long been used worldwide for cybersecurity, privacy, and unrestricted browsing. In Nepal, VPNs are widely used by businesses, journalists, and even government agencies to secure data and connect with international servers. Importantly, there is no law in Nepal that explicitly bans the use of VPNs. The Directives for Managing the Use of Social Networks, 2023, which the government is citing to block unregistered platforms, require social media companies to register locally but make no mention of criminal penalties for individuals who access these services through VPNs.
Legal experts explain that VPN technology itself is not unlawful in Nepal. It becomes problematic only when it is used to carry out activities that are already considered illegal under existing cybercrime laws, such as spreading hate speech, inciting violence, or engaging in fraud. In such cases, it is not the VPN use that triggers legal consequences, but the unlawful act committed through it. This distinction is crucial, as it shows that ordinary citizens logging in to check messages or watch videos via VPN are not, by default, committing a crime.
Despite this legal position, the issue exists in something of a grey zone. The government has the authority to block platforms that fail to register, but monitoring and penalizing individuals who use VPNs is both technically difficult and politically sensitive. For now, enforcement has been directed at internet service providers and telecom operators, not individual users. However, the Social Media Bill 2081, which is currently under discussion in Parliament, proposes stricter oversight of digital spaces, leading some observers to warn that penalties around VPN use could emerge in the future.
Public sentiment reflects this uncertainty. For many, VPNs are viewed as a lifeline in the middle of the blackout. Small business owners who depend on Facebook and Instagram for sales say VPNs are keeping their livelihoods intact. Students and professionals emphasize that they need global platforms for communication, networking, and learning. “If the apps we use every day are blocked, VPN is the only way to stay connected,” remarked one Kathmandu student. Yet, others worry that heavy reliance on VPNs could push conversations into less-regulated corners of the internet, making it harder to address misinformation or harmful content.
At present, the truth is clear: using a VPN in Nepal is not a crime. Accessing banned social media through it may fall into a legal grey area, but there is no explicit law that punishes individuals for doing so. Unless and until new legislation changes this framework, VPN use remains technically legal, though not officially endorsed. As the ban continues, Nepalese citizens remain caught between government policy and digital necessity, with VPN downloads surging as people seek to restore their connections to the wider world.
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