The demand for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in Pakistan has seen a significant surge, more than tripling due to increased social media restrictions. According to Top10VPN, an independent VPN review platform, the demand for VPN services on November 25 rose by 102% compared to the daily average over the past month. On November 26, VPN demand reached a staggering 213% above the usual baseline.
This sharp increase comes as reports suggest that the government has restricted media sharing on WhatsApp ahead of upcoming protests organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The disruption isn’t limited to WhatsApp; other major social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have also been affected, as indicated by Downdetector, a website that tracks platform outages.
Many citizens have voiced their frustration due to the ongoing disruptions, with no official explanation provided regarding the access restrictions. However, those using VPNs to bypass these blocks have reported better access to the restricted platforms. While some have managed to regain access, they face another challenge: slow internet speeds. Residents in multiple cities across the country have been experiencing issues with their internet connections, further exacerbating the difficulties in accessing online services.
Although the government has acknowledged its intention to restrict internet services in areas of security concern, there has been no official statement regarding social media disruptions. Despite these efforts to control access, the use of VPNs has proven to be a popular workaround for many individuals seeking to regain access to the blocked platforms.
