Danish plan to criminalize VPN use for streaming sparks fierce privacy backlash
The Danish government sparked a major backlash after proposing a law that would make it illegal to use VPNs to access geoblocked streaming content or bypass blocks on illegal websites as part of a broader anti-piracy package. Critics — including digital-rights advocates — argue that the bill’s vague wording could criminalise everyday VPN use, which many Danes rely on for privacy, security and lawful internet access as well as streaming. Opponents warned the proposal could chill online freedoms, with some describing it as having a “totalitarian feel” and threatening internet privacy. The controversy has turned Denmark into a flashpoint in the wider European debate over how far governments can regulate digital tools in the name of copyright enforcement. Culture officials insist the goal is only to tackle piracy, not legitimate VPN use, and have faced intense public criticism.
