In Nepal, the legal status of VPNs exists in a complex regulatory landscape. While there is no specific legislation explicitly criminalizing the ownership or use of VPNs for general purposes, authorities have recently tightened their stance. Following the government's moves to regulate and ban certain unregistered social media platforms, officials have scrutinized the use of VPNs to bypass these restrictions. Users often turn to VPNs to access blocked content, placing them in a regulatory gray area where circumvention is actively discouraged (1).
The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau has issued alerts regarding the risks associated with indiscriminate VPN usage. These government bodies emphasize that accessing banned platforms through VPNs is unauthorized and potentially unsafe. They highlight that many free or unverified VPN services can compromise user data and expose individuals to cyber threats. The official position urges citizens to avoid using VPNs for bypassing bans, citing concerns over data privacy, malware, and the potential for financial fraud through compromised connections (2).
"The freedoms of expression, access to information, privacy, and association and assembly enshrined in international covenants are fundamental to the upholding of liberal democratic values. Even in closed societies, digital technology can penetrate longstanding political and media restrictions."
Despite the warnings, the technical legality remains distinct from a total prohibition. The focus of the authorities is primarily on the risks associated with "unsafe and risky" VPNs and their role in accessing restricted content. The Cyber Bureau has pointed out that indiscriminately using VPNs can lead to malware attacks and social media account hacking. Consequently, while not illegal per se, the government actively discourages their use, aligning with broader efforts to control the digital information space in the country (2).
Source:
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net
https://cyberbureau.nepalpolice.gov.np/notices/other-notices/
Last updated: 14-01-2026 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
