Ethiopia
VPN demand increase: 5,109%
Date: 8-11 November 2021
VPN demand in Ethiopia began to surge on November 8 when authorities blocked Facebook, Messenger and Instagram following a leak of exam papers online.
Demand for VPN was initially 1,661% higher than the average over the 28 days prior before peaking the following day on November 9 when it was 5,109% higher than average. While demand then began to soften, it remained 3,464% higher on November 10.
With social media still blocked at the time of publication, VPN demand remains 718% higher than average in Ethiopia.
Singapore
VPN demand increase: 39%
Date: 02 October 2021
The Singapore government passed a draconian new law on October 5 that would allow it to crack down on “subversive” content by forcing ISPs and social media platforms to hand over user information, block content and remove offending apps.
Despite VPN services already being popular in Singapore, demand surged in the lead-up to the marathon parliamentary session that approved the legislation, peaking on October 2 at 39% higher than the daily average over the previous weeks.
In the seven days leading up to the law change, VPN demand was on average 19% higher than the previous weeks.
Zambia
VPN demand increase: 16,341%
Date: 12 August 2021
The Zambian government confirmed that it would shut down internet access as the country voted in its national elections on August 12.[8]
Demand for VPN software rocketed on the day of the shutdown, which blocked access to WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Messenger and Instagram. It increased by 16,341% compared to the daily average over the three weeks leading up to the announcement.
Demand remained at a similar level on the second day of the shutdown, on August 13. It was almost 14,000% higher than it had been prior to the announcement.
Demand had already been on average 95% higher over the seven days between the announcement of the shutdown and it coming into effect, compared to the three weeks leading up to it.
Demand on August 12 jumped 5,886% overnight compared to the day before, when VPN demand had been 176% higher than before the announcement.
Note: Previous updates also showed earlier increases from August 10 when VPN demand was 151% higher than before the shutdown was announced.
Hong Kong
VPN demand increase: 50%
Date: 22 June 2021
Demand for VPN services jumped by 50% in Hong Kong on June 22 compared to the average for the prior 30 days. This followed the announcement that pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily would close at midnight on June 23.
A rise of 50% in Hong Kong is a significant increase as VPNs are already widely used there to circumvent censorship and avoid surveillance.
Nigeria
VPN demand increase: 1,409%
Date: 5 June 2021
VPN demand in Nigeria spiked on June 5 after Twitter was blocked by the government in retaliation for the removal of a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari for breaching the social media platform’s rules.
The government announced the indefinite Twitter ban on June 4, prompting an initial surge in VPN demand of 143% compared to the 30 days prior. The shutdown didn’t actually come into effect until the following day, when demand for VPN services soared by 1,409% compared to the same period.
Demand remained at 405% higher than the baseline on June 6. On Jun 7 it stood at 222% higher than prior to the announcement of the ban.
Myanmar
VPN demand increase: 672%
Date: Ongoing
See initial entry for Myanmar for data relating to period immediately following coup.
The people of Myanmar continue to experience rolling social media shutdowns and a mobile internet blackout, months on from the coup at the start of February.
Against this backdrop and with no end in sight for the internet restrictions, demand for VPN services in the 30 days to May 19 has been 672% higher than the daily average over the month prior to the coup.
[Update] As of January 2022, and with Facebook still blocked, VPN demand was 464% higher overall in the year since the military coup compared to the previous 12 months.
Ethiopia
VPN demand increase: 342%
Date: 17 May 2021
After Ethiopia’s national election was postponed for a second time on May 15, access to Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram was blocked for eight hours on May 17 against a backdrop of an ongoing civil war in the Tigray region.[7]
Demand for VPN services to circumvent this and any possible future social media shutdowns immediately surged. Compared to the daily average of the previous five days, demand on May 17 had already increased by 186% at midday local time, an hour after restrictions had been lifted, and then further to 247% by 3pm. By the end of the day, the increase was expected to be around 340% higher than the baseline.
Note: the end-of-day estimate was amended as additional data became available that suggested it would be higher than the 257% initially anticipated.
Colombia
VPN demand increase: 295%
Date: 4-6 May 2021
Demonstrations against tax hikes imposed by the Colombia government on April 28 have since spread across the country following a harsh response by law enforcement.[6]
At the same time as authorities shut down the internet in the Cali region on May 4, nationwide demand for VPN services began to spike, increasing by 148% compared to the seven days prior. The surge peaked the next day at 295% compared to that same period, although it continued remain elevated in the days that followed. On May 6 it remained 169% above the baseline, falling to 76% above that level on May 7.
This trend was even more pronounced in the Valle del Cauca region where the city of Cali is located. VPN demand increased by 314% on May 4 as news of the disruptions emerged, compared to the seven days prior. By May 5, it had spiked at 694% compared to that same period and remained 331% above the baseline on May 6. Demand remained elevated at 80% above the regional baseline on May 9.
India – Delhi
VPN demand increase: 53%
Date: 17 April 2021
VPN demand increased by 53% in the Delhi region on 17 April compared to the average of the seven days prior. The surge in demand coincided with the start of new social restrictions.
India -Uttar Pradesh
VPN demand increase: 96%
Date: 31 March 2021
Demand for VPN services almost doubled on March 31 in the Uttar Pradesh region of India. The region’s Epidemic Act was due to expire the same day but was extended until June 30.
Germany
VPN demand increase: 173%
Date: 27-28 March 2021
Demand for VPN services in Germany soared 173% over the weekend of 27-28 March as stricter social restrictions were imposed by authorities. This pattern is line with previous research.
Bangladesh
VPN demand increase: 738%
Date: 27-28 March 2021
Authorities in Bangladesh blocked Facebook and Facebook Messenger on March 26 amid a public outcry over a state visit by the Indian Prime Minister. The social media shutdown prompted a 738% spike in demand for VPN services.
India – Karnataka
VPN demand increase: 61%
Date: 16-22 March 2021
Over the week beginning March 16, demand for VPN services in the Karnataka region of India increased by 31% compared to the prior 30-day average. This came a day after possible new social restrictions were discussed.
India- Tamil Nadu
VPN demand increase: 53%
Date: 16-22 March 2021
VPN demand in the Tamil Nadu region of India increased by 31% over the week beginning March 16 compared to the prior 30-day average. During this period political leaders asked authorities to intensify social restrictions and punish those who breached safety guidelines.
Hong Kong
VPN demand increase: 245%
Date: 11 March 2021
Demand for VPN services in Hong Kong increased 245% on March 11, the same day that the Chinese legislature approved a resolution tightening control over the city’s electoral system.[5]
VPN demand had already increased by 27% on March 10, compared to the 30 days prior, before the surge on the day of the vote, which was almost three-and-a-half times the average of the previous 30 days.
India – Maharashtra
VPN demand increase: 109%
Date: 10 March 2021
The 109% increase in VPN demand compared to the seven days prior coincided with warnings potential new social restrictions.
Senegal
VPN demand increase: 4,200%
Date: 04-05 March 2021
Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Telegram were blocked following demonstrations over the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. VPN demand surged by over 1,000% that day compared to the prior seven-day average. As of March 5, demand has now risen by over 4,200% compared to the same prior period.
Myanmar
VPN demand increase: 7,200%
Date: 04 Feb 2021
Demand for VPN services skyrocketed in Myanmar after the authorities blocked access to Facebook in the wake of a coup. This social media shutdown has been imposed to “maintain stability”.[3]
In the week following the Facebook ban, the ruling junta also proposed new cybersecurity laws that would allow it to censor any content it didn’t like.[4] During this period, VPN demand remained significantly elevated at 1,419% higher than the average over the week leading up to the Feb 4 ban.
Two months on, demand for VPN remains elevated compared to before the military takeover. On March 29, demand was 184% higher than the baseline prior to restrictions starting.
Note: VPN demand increased sharply over the course of Feb 4 and we updated the page several times to track it. At 10am GMT demand had increased by 4,300% compared to the average of the seven days prior. By the end of the day it was up by 7,200%.
Uganda
VPN demand increase: 1,015%
Date: 18-22 Jan 2021
Ugandan authorities restored internet access on Jan 18 following a five-day blackout around the nation’s election but social media remained blocked. VPN demand surged 1,015% over next four days following an initial peak of 1,343% on the first day of the social media shutdown.