Social Media Ban in Pakistan Drives 6000% VPN Demand, Proton Reports

There has been an unprecedented surge in Pakistan for Virtual Private Networks (VPN), with a staggering 6000% increase, according to Internet privacy company Proton.

Switzerland-based Proton reported major surges in demand in various regions over the past year, including spikes of 4,700% in Nepal, 6,000% in Pakistan, 25,000% in Gabon, and 100,000% in Senegal, primarily in response to political or civil unrest.

Proton announced plans to offer a network of free VPN servers for use in countries holding elections this year, aiming to assist local populations in circumventing government censorship and preventing interference or misinformation during election campaigns.

The company views monitoring demand for its VPN services as a means of early detection of government crackdowns and attacks on free speech, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding democracy and free speech globally.

“2024 is set to be a seismic year for democracy around the world,” Proton chief Andy Yen said in a statement.

“Many of the countries holding elections have a questionable track record for free speech and a free electoral process,” he pointed out.

“Protecting free speech and fighting censorship is a core part of our mission and we’re committed to doing what we can to help voters around the world exercise their fundamental rights.”

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