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   Denmark wants to ban VPNs to unlock foreign, illegal streams  and experts are   
   worried   
      
   Date:   
   Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:54:04 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   Denmark has drafted a new law to stop people from using VPNs to access    
   foreign streaming libraries and illegal websites. But digital rights    
   advocates are sounding the alarm.   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   The Danish government has ignited a firestorm of criticism after proposing a   
   new bill that would make it illegal to use a VPN to access geoblocked   
   streaming content or bypass restrictions on illegal websites.    
      
   The proposal, which is part of a larger legislative effort to combat online   
   piracy, has alarmed digital rights advocates who fear it could have   
   far-reaching consequences for internet freedom in the country.    
      
   While many people use the best VPN services to enhance their online privacy   
   and security, they are also commonly used to access streaming libraries from   
   other countries, for example, watching American Netflix from Denmark.   
   According to a recent survey by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, 9% of Danes   
   have used a VPN for this purpose.    
      
   The bill , put forward by Denmarks Ministry of Culture, states that it would   
   be prohibited to "use VPN connections to access media content that would   
   otherwise not be available in Denmark, or to bypass blocking of illegal   
   websites." If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2026, with   
   offenders facing a fine.    
      
   The proposal was immediately condemned by privacy advocates. Jesper Lund,   
   chairman of the IT Political Association, expressed deep concern over the   
   bills ambiguous language, stating it has a "totalitarian feel to it."    
      
   Lund argued that the current wording could be interpreted so broadly that it   
   would not only criminalize streaming but also hinder the sale and legitimate   
   use of VPN services across Denmark.    
      
   "Even in Russia, it is not punishable to bypass illegal websites with a VPN,"   
   Lund told Danish broadcaster DR , pointing out that the proposed Danish law   
   could go further than measures seen in more authoritarian states.   
      
   A pattern of controversial legislation   
      
   The proposed VPN restrictions do not exist in a vacuum and fit into a wider   
   pattern of legislative efforts from Denmark that have been criticized by   
   privacy experts.    
      
   The country has been a key proponent of the recent push for the EUs   
   controversial "Chat Control" bill, in fact, a proposal aimed at scanning   
   private digital messages for illicit content that critics have slammed as a "   
   disaster waiting to happen ." After initial plans stalled, Denmark introduced   
   a revised proposal , successfully moving the bill at its final legislative   
   stage.    
      
   This move follows other legislative trends, including a recent push to ban   
   social media for children under 15 , mirroring a similar ban in Australia .    
      
   Together, these initiatives suggest a growing willingness from Danish   
   lawmakers to restrict online activities in the name of safety and copyright   
   protection.   
      
   Europe doubles down against online piracy    
      
   Across Europe, copyright holders have been doubling down on VPN providers   
   recently. The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has been pressing for VPNs to   
   take a larger role in anti-piracy efforts , while broadcasters in France have   
   successfully forced some VPNs to block access to illegal sports streams .    
      
   However, Denmark's proposal marks a significant escalation by shifting the   
   legal liability from the provider to the end-user.    
      
   In response to the backlash, Danish Minister of Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt   
   pushed back, stating, "I am not in favor of making VPN illegal, and I will   
   never propose that. That is why the critics have also got this bill    
   completely wrong." He clarified that the intent is rather to stop illegal   
   piracy.    
      
   As the bill is now out for consultation, digital rights organizations will be   
   watching closely to see whether these clarifications will truly protect the   
   legitimate uses of VPNs or simply pay lip service to the significant privacy   
   concerns that have been raised.    
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/denmark-wants-to-ban-vpns-t   
   o-unlock-foreign-illegal-streams-and-experts-are-worried   
      
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