Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is completely legal in the United States. US, Canada, the United Kingdom and most of the world. While some countries like China and Russia have laws that restrict the use of VPNs in certain ways, using a VPN in the US is perfectly legal. A VPN is a privacy tool and you can use it as such.
You'll never get in trouble using VPN technology to protect your connection, and both governments and private organizations will have a harder time tracking your activity. However, it's important to note that illegal activities are still illegal when you use a VPN, regardless of the server you're connected to. VPNs are only illegal if you live in Belarus, Iraq, North Korea, or Turkmenistan. In addition to oppressive regimes, the use of a VPN service for illegal activities is not allowed even in countries where VPNs are legal.
For example, in Iran the penalty for using a VPN that is not sanctioned by the government is up to one year in prison. It's also important to consider your country's torrent laws and stance on digital rights when using a VPN, even if using the VPN is legal. Netflix could never report someone to law enforcement just for using a VPN to watch content that isn't available in the US. When choosing a VPN provider, it's best to avoid free services which are generally unreliable and sometimes even sell data to governments.
ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for most users as it offers servers in nearly 100 countries with incredible connection speeds and reliable access to multiple streaming services. Plus, Tom's Guide readers can now request three months completely free of charge (opens in a new tab).
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