The EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) were finally implemented on May 25th and while most websites updated their privacy rules to comply, others simply decided to prevent EU visitors from accessing their content. The list includes entertainment websites, online newspapers and games. If you are in the EU and try to access one of these sites, you will come an error message letting you know that the content is not available in your location. The good news is that it is possible to get around these restrictions to continue accessing your favorite websites and enjoy content from around the world. With the help of a VPN, you will be able to overcome restrictions and enjoy access to websites that are not available in your location. Once you connect to a VPN, your IP address is masked and you will appear as if you were in the location of the server you are connected to.
Being able to bypass restrictions is not the only benefit of using a VPN service. You will also keep your information protected from online surveillance. Your ISP won’t be able to see what you are doing. The same goes for large companies, hackers and anyone who tries to monitor your internet traffic to see what you are up to. There are several VPN services available, but in order to be able to enjoy access to all the content that you want, and keep your privacy protected, you need a reliable, high quality solution that can truly provide security and online freedom. You will come across free VPN services, but it should be noted that these are usually not as secure or fast as a paid service. Plus, since any business needs to make money to survive, many of these free VPNs sell your data, which puts your privacy at high risk.
To ensure that you enjoy all the benefits of a VPN, without putting your privacy at risk, it is advisable to opt for a reputable, paid service. There are many options available, including affordable solutions. Using a premium service often means that you can enjoy better speeds, reliable performance and a higher level of protection for your data. Plus, you will know that the price you are paying is monetary. You are not paying with your precious data. There are other aspects that you need to consider when choosing a VPN to get access to the websites that have been blocked, as a result of the implementation of the GDPR. For instance, you need to look for a VPN that has multiple servers outside of Europe to ensure that you can easily defeat the restrictions. You also need a VPN that is fast and that supports reliable connections. In addition, you need strong encryption to keep your information protected from prying eyes. Also make sure that you go for a VPN that doesn’t keep logs of your activities or personal identifiable data. Before we check the list of the best VPNs to overcome the restrictions, it is worth taking a closer look about the implications of the GDPR for users.
The GDPR aims to protect the data privacy of EU citizens, to set a common standard for data privacy laws across the EU and to prompt organizations to change their approach to privacy. Under the GDPR, organizations are required to report data breaches within 72 hours and large companies must have a data protection officer. Customers need to provide informed consent for data collection and storage and they can withdraw this permission at any time. In addition, they can request details of the information that a company has collected about them, in a machine-readable format. The main change for companies is related to informed consent as in the past, they have usually used techniques that are favorable to them, but that don’t protect customers’ privacy. The new rules require companies to be clear and transparent to customers, ensuring that they really know what they are signing for.
As previously mentioned, one consequence of the GDPR is the fact that many websites based outside the EU have opted for blocking EU visitors. The regulations apply not only to EU-based companies, but to any company that deals with EU citizens. During the roll-out of the GDPR, EU consumers received emails from companies with privacy policy updates. While many companies made the necessary changes in time to be in compliance, others were not able to do so. In some cases, these was simply because they didn’t have the resources required to be able to make the changes. Others ran out of time and while they may comply and offer their content in the EU in the future, in the meantime, they have simply opted for blocking access for EU citizens to avoid fines.
How to unblock websites restricted due to GDPR with the help of a VPN
Some of the websites that were not able to update their policies before the roll-out of the GDPR, include newspapers sites like LA Times and Chicago Tribune. If you are in the EU and come across geographical blocks when you try to access a website outside your region, you can rely on a VPN to help you to overcome the restrictions. You just need to start by signing for a VPN, downloading and installing the software on your device and then, connect to a server in a different location. This will allow you to access the websites of your choice. Just keep in mind that since you are disguising your location, you won’t be granted the privacy rights that EU citizens enjoy.
ExpressVPN
Since speed is one of the main features that you need in a VPN so that you can enjoy content, including videos, ExpressVPN is one of the main options that you need to consider. With this provider, you will be able to overcome restrictions fast and easily, thanks to its extensive selection of servers and advanced technology. ExpressVPN can bypass restrictions and it also protects your data with high encryption. It doesn’t keep logs of your online activities.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a provider based in Panama that offers high encryption and a great deal of security features. You will be able to enjoy a secure and versatile experience when you connect to the internet. NordVPN allows you to get around restrictions thanks to its varied selection of servers, which includes several options outside Europe. The provider is known for its dedication to privacy through solutions like Tor over VPN and double encryption. NordVPn is a zero logs VPN.
PrivateInternetAccess
PIA is a very popular VPN thanks to the affordable plans that it offers and the fact that it is a comprehensive service. Apart from being easy to use, it also offers good speeds and it comes with practical features such as kill switch and SOCKS5 proxy. PIA has thousands of servers available in over 30 countries, including multiple locations outside the EU. No logs are kept of your online activities.
IPVanish
IPVanish is fast, easy to use and it also provides access to a vast selection of servers around the world. This zero logs providers can help you to overcome restrictions and since it is in charge of its own network, it can offer reliable performance and better control over the security and speed of its servers. Speaking of servers, IPVanish gives you the chance to connect to servers in over 60 countries. There are many locations outside Europe that allow you to bypass geographical blocks caused by the GDPR.
