Eritrea maintains one of the most restrictive internet environments globally, often described as an information black hole. While there is no publicly available legislation that explicitly criminalizes the possession of Virtual Private Network (VPN) software, the state’s monopoly on telecommunications effectively prohibits unauthorized access to information. The government controls the sole internet service provider, EriTel, allowing them to dictate exactly what content citizens can view, rendering the concept of digital privacy virtually nonexistent in the country (1).
The legal framework regarding digital tools is vague, but the intent of the regime is clear: total information control. Authorities actively monitor internet usage, particularly in internet cafés where users are often required to register their personal details. Access to independent news, social media platforms, and opposition websites is systematically blocked. Consequently, using a VPN to bypass these restrictions is viewed with deep suspicion and could lead to interrogation or detention under broad national security pretexts (2).
"The authorities regularly block access to social media platforms and shutter internet cafés. Members of the Eritrean diaspora are, by comparison, better able to express dissent online. However, members of the diaspora are also subject to government surveillance and harassment."
Given the severe penalties for perceived dissent, the use of encryption tools remains a high-risk activity for local citizens. International observers note that the government monitors email communications without requiring legal warrants, creating a climate of intense self-censorship. While no specific law targets VPN technology by name, the broader suppression of independent media implies that any tool enabling unmonitored communication is treated as a threat to the state’s authority (1).
Source:
https://freedomhouse.org/country/eritrea/freedom-world/2024
https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/eritrea/
Last updated: 11-01-2026 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
