- Proton VPN has seen a 1200% increase in registrations from Iraq
- This comes as Iraq blocked the Telegram messaging app in major cities.
- Proton warns against sketchy free VPNs that can put user data at risk
A sweeping ban on popular messaging app Telegram across Iraq has sent citizens looking for digital solutions, resulting in a massive 1,200% increase in subscriptions to one of the best VPN apps on the market.
Proton VPN CEO David Peterson first shared details on X about the increase in usage of the free VPN service as of Friday (April 3). “Proton VPN usage in Iraq is now at an all-time high and continues to increase rapidly,” Peterson wrote on Monday.
Speaking directly to TechRadar on Tuesday, a Proton VPN spokesperson confirmed that usage “continues to increase.” Google Trends data also highlights a sharp increase in searches for the term “VPN” coming from Iraq.
“This increase is likely related to the complete blocking of Telegram across the country, which comes amid heightened tensions between the Iraqi government and various non-state actors,” Proton told TechRadar.
According to local reports from Shafaq News, the Telegram outage has hit major Iraqi cities hard, although the Kurdistan Region is currently unaffected. The blackout is said to be a deliberate effort by the Iraqi government to curb the activity of armed groups operating within the country.
Proton warns against “opportunistic” applications
By masking a user’s real IP address and routing their Internet traffic through a secure server in another country, a virtual private network (VPN) easily bypasses these local network blocks. However, not all VPNs are created equal, which means quality matters more than a fast and free solution.
Proton security experts are deeply concerned about exactly which services that citizens choose to install on their devices.
“For people in Iraq looking to bypass the current Telegram ban, we urge you to pay attention when downloading a VPN,” Proton told TechRadar, adding that some users in Iraq reportedly do not check the legitimacy of the services they install.
App stores are flooded with free, unsecured VPNs that promise unrestricted Internet access. But these applications often come with a significant hidden cost.
“At times like these, opportunistic VPN providers often see an increase in downloads from users who may not be familiar with which services are safe,” Proton said. “In Iraq, we are seeing that many of the most frequently downloaded VPNs are linked to entities based in China, often with deliberately hidden ownership, or to vendors that monetize user data through sales to third parties.”
This is not an isolated incident for the Switzerland-based provider. Proton regularly monitors global censorship events, having previously observed massive download spikes in 62 countries during times of political upheaval. To keep up with demand in restricted regions, Proton recently expanded its server network to offer more connection options.
Anyone trying to bypass the block should turn to independently verified and audited providers rather than risking their personal data on an unknown app. “As always, it’s important to carefully evaluate the credentials and trustworthiness of any VPN before downloading it,” Proton said.
Beyond Proton VPN Free, other secure freebies include Windscribe Free, Privado VPN Free, and Amnezia VPN Free.
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