These services are absolutely necessary for people who are speaking out against the persecution of the government, such as activists and citizens.

This last point has become abundantly obvious once more over the past few months, as Iran has been pulling out all the stops to block virtual private network (VPN) providers that dare to provide demonstrators with a window to the rest of the world.

As a direct response, several of the more reputable VPN service providers have implemented countermeasures, such as providing Iranian users with access to specialized servers that allow them to sidestep limitations and communicating with Iranian users using platforms such as Telegram. This is having a favorable effect, but Iran is not sitting around doing nothing, and its efforts to obstruct continue unabated.

The current scenario in Iran exemplifies the critical function that virtual private networks (VPNs) play in the struggle against online censorship. But Iran isn't the only government restricting access to these services; China and Russia are also notorious for their own authoritarian measures.

Take Action Against Restrictions Placed on VPNs
According to 'ACT | The App Association,' a trade organization that represents thousands of startups and small firms in the software industry, these kinds of restrictions are troublesome. ACT | The App Association is a trade organization. Recent conversations between the organization and the U.S. Trade Representative highlighted the organization's concerns.

ACT is of the opinion that excessively restrictive policies ought to be brought to light during the annual evaluation of various trade barriers carried out by the government of the United States of America (USA). This includes the law governing VPNs in Russia.

In 2017, Russia started cracking down on virtual private networks (VPNs) in an effort to reduce copyright violations. The government has completely outlawed the provision of services that enable customers to visit prohibited pirate websites. Only businesses who are willing to censor certain types of content will be permitted to keep their doors open.

In its letter to the USTR, ACT argues that "this is an evident trade barrier and significant threat to the free market."

"According to the Russian government, the purpose of this rule is to prevent citizens from accessing anything that is deemed to be harmful or illegal. According to this rule, any internet service providers who permit these to exist or continue to function without being blocked will have their market access revoked.

China Too
These are not the only kinds of problems that can be found in Russia. The recent crackdown on virtual private networks (VPNs) in Iran is not mentioned in ACT, but the limits placed on VPNs in China are.

In contrast to Russia, China's stance against virtual private networks (VPNs) has little to do with the infringement of copyrights. The policy of the nation is primarily designed to ensure that its residents are unable to access websites that have been deemed illegal by the authorities.

ACT is of the opinion that the limits placed on VPNs constitute a patently obvious trade barrier that is experienced by businesses located all over the world. It takes issue with China's policy of censoring a large number of websites, some of which include Wikipedia, the New York Times, and Reddit.

According to information provided by ACT, "China regulates and prohibits the usage of VPNs, leaving customers in China out of the digital economy while imposing significant barriers to entrance." "China's 'wide blockage of legitimate websites' also threatens to impose enormous costs on providers of services and products as well as on customers who use those services and products."

U.S. Response
These worries have been around for some time. The restrictive policies of China were highlighted in an earlier study on trade barriers that was compiled by the United States Government. They include a decision to outlaw virtual private networks (VPNs), which puts the privacy of individuals who are not citizens at risk.

According to a statement published by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), "This [VPN ban] has had a particularly dire effect on foreign businesses," which "routinely use VPN services to connect to locations and services outside of China and which depend on VPN technology to ensure confidentiality of communications."

ACT has high hopes that the USTR would maintain their focus on this matter. The question of whether or not this will cause China to reevaluate its policies is a completely separate one. The same can be said about Russia, which is not likely to be receptive to criticism from the United States at this time.

It is abundantly clear, on the other hand, that the United States Government is already quite aware that Virtual Private Network services can be of significant value.

The Freedom of the Internet in Iran has received increased support from the Treasury Department as recently as a few weeks ago. It allowed U.S. virtual private network (VPN) service providers to continue doing business in Iran by, among other things, creating exemptions to the sanctions against Iran.

According to a statement released by the Treasury Department, "These tools protect the ability of Iranians to engage in free expression and courageously resist regime oppression."