Pakistan begins blocking unregistered VPN apps – and this popular service is among the casualties

• Pakistan has reportedly begun to block unregistered VPNs
• Proton said its apps have been restricted since December 22
• Pakistan resumed VPN licensing in November

Pakistan has long planned to regulate VPNs, and now, authorities have reportedly begun to block some major VPN services. Proton, the company behind Proton VPN, confirmed on Sunday that its apps have been restricted in the country since December 22.

"Pakistan has followed countries like Russia, China, and Iran in blocking their citizens from using VPNs for uncensored access to X and other social media," said David Peterson, Proton VPN General Manager.

The move follows the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) resuming VPN licensing in November, when it announced a new framework to provide "secure and lawful" VPN services to the public.