Following Pakistan’s social media ban, demand for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has skyrocketed, with Proton, a Swiss Internet privacy business, reporting a 6000% rise.
Notably, Proton has seen comparable jumps in other countries experiencing political or social upheaval, such as Nepal, Gabon, and Senegal, with increases ranging from 4,700% to 100,000%.
In response, Proton intends to provide free VPN servers in countries with impending elections and a history of internet restriction, intending to assist residents in circumventing government restrictions and combating disinformation.
The business views monitoring VPN demand as a critical tool for identifying government crackdowns and protecting free expression.
