Nature has blessed Latvia with lakes, woods and pristine beaches, giving lovers of outdoors adventures many options to enjoy this Baltic state. Although Latvia is small, it offers great opportunities for travelers who want to discover the beautiful landscapes and variety of festivals that the country has to offer. Like other countries in the region, Latvia has gone through a significant transformation over the last few decades. There are still some political tensions in the country, which are highlighted by ethnic divisions. Corruption is another issue affecting the country, but in recent years and thanks to a series of reforms implemented, the influence of the most powerful and rich groups in Latvia over the government and authorities, has decreased.
Overall, the press can operate with freedom. However, there are anti-libel laws that contemplate harsh penalties for those who infringe them. The National Electronic Mass Media Council, a government agency that regulates the media in Latvia, came under fire after it was revealed that it requested authorities to investigate the source of the journalists who published a list of people who were likely to be elected as members of the board, before they were officially announced. This raised concerns about the reality of the freedom of the press that the constitution in Latvia is set to protect. In addition, an amendment in the law that was passed in recent years, allows teachers to be fired fro their jobs if they make any comments or commit any actions that could be deemed as disloyal to the Latvian state.
At least 85 percent of the population in Latvia has access to the internet and the speeds of the service have improved over the last few years. The problem is that Latvia is one of the countries in which the government has used techniques to monitor its citizens. Online surveillance is a concern for internet users around the world and Latvia is not an exception. It doesn’t matter if you are not a journalist, it is likely that your activities are also monitored. If you want to protect your privacy, the most convenient option is to use a VPN service. A VPN encrypts your online traffic to prevent others from seeing what you are doing. The websites you visit your conversations, the content you stream and everything you do, will remain private when you use a VPN.
You can also reclaim your online freedom with the help of a VPN because it allows you to overcome restrictions. Even if the government in Latvia has not implemented strict censorship on the internet, you are likely to come across issues when you try to access some content. A VPN lets you get around these restrictions because it lets you change your virtual connection. You can appear as if you were in a different country and get access to all the content that is available there. For example, if you want to access content that is only available in the United States, you just need to connect to a server in that country and you will get an IP address form that location. This will make you appear as if you were there. If you are in Latvia and want to continue using a Latvian IP, but want to enhance your security, you can connect to a VPN server in Latvia and access local content securely.
VyprVPN
VyprVPN is known for offering amazing speeds, as well as exclusive technology that will enable you to get around restrictions, no matter where you are. Its unique Chameleon protocol is capable of defeating Deep Packet Inspection and Firewalls, ensuring that you can unblock your favorite content, even in countries where VPNs are blocked. VyprVPN manages its own network of servers and they offer access to over 70 global locations. Recently they added a server in Riga so if you need to keep your Latvian IP address but enjoy greater security, this is a good choice. VyprVPN doesn’t keep logs of your online activities.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is often included in the list of the best VPN services available and with good reason. This provider offers a high quality service that includes advanced features that will allow you to enjoy a superb browsing and streaming experience. ExpressVPN allows P2P and it is also an ideal solution for players. There are no logs kept of your online activities and the provider has a very solid record when it comes to protecting privacy. ExpressVPN has servers in over 140 locations around the world, including Latvia.
NordVPN
NordVPN is based in Panama and it has a solid privacy policy that establishes that no logs are kept at all. You can connect to servers in over 60 countries and discover new international content, or catch up with your favorite TV series. NordVPN is another provider that has servers in Latvia. There are over 17 servers in that country and P2P and Tor over VPN are supported there. NordVPN offers affordable plans and excellent customer support.
