1. Downloading copyrighted material – This is probably the most well-known illegal activity that can get you into trouble when using a VPN. If you download any kind of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder, you could be breaking the law. This includes things like music, movies, TV shows, and software.
2. Hacking – Another illegal activity that can get you in trouble when using a VPN is hacking. If you use your VPN to access someone else’s computer or network without their permission, you could be charged with hacking crimes.
3. Spamming – Sending unsolicited emails or other messages is known as spamming, and it’s against the law in many countries. If you use your VPN to send spam messages, you could be punished by law enforcement authorities.
4. Child pornography – Finally, possessing or sharing child pornography is also illegal in most countries around the world. If you use your VPN to access child pornography websites or share child pornography files with others, you could be arrested and jailed for this serious crime.
Worth knowing
Worth knowing
If you are using a VPN to simply unblock geo-restricted content, then there is nothing illegal about it. However, if you are using a VPN to commit copyright infringement or engage in other illegal activities, then you could be breaking the law.
Using a VPN to bypass geographical restrictions imposed by content providers is considered perfectly legal. For example, many people use VPNs to watch US Netflix while they are abroad. This is because Netflix imposes different licensing agreements in different countries and some regions are blocked entirely. By using a VPN, you can change your virtual location and trick Netflix into thinking you are in a different country.
However, if you use your VPN for more nefarious purposes such as downloading copyrighted material or committing online fraud, then you could be breaking the law. It is important to remember that just because something is not explicitly illegal does not mean that it is legal. If you engage in any activity that violates the terms of service of your streaming site or CPS (copyright protection society), then you could be liable for prosecution.
In summary, using a VPN to access geo-restricted content is perfectly legal but engaging in other activities could get you into hot water with the law
Worth knowing
In the United Kingdom, there are no laws prohibiting the use of VPNs. However, there are some activities that are illegal when using a VPN, such as accessing copyrighted content or committing cybercrime. If you use a VPN to commit an illegal act, you could still be prosecuted under UK law.
Overall, using a VPN in the UK is perfectly legal. However, it’s important to make sure you’re not using your VPN for any activities that would otherwise be illegal without one.
Thank your for reading!