VPN use increases by 5,000%: Palak

The recent internet shutdown in Bangladesh, following violence related to the quota reform movement, has led to a significant increase in VPN usage. 

While internet services are gradually being restored, the government has blocked access to Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram to curb the spread of "rumours and misinformation." As a result, users are increasingly turning to VPNs to stay active online.

State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak revealed that VPN usage in the country has surged by 5,000 per cent. He also mentioned that this spike in VPN usage is contributing to slower internet speeds.

"Technical experts have informed us that the use of VPNs has increased by nearly 5,000 per cent recently. When people use VPNs, they are connecting to networks outside of Bangladesh, which increases overseas bandwidth traffic. This is one of the reasons for the slow internet speed, affecting both 4G mobile internet and broadband services," Palak explained.

Palak clarified that the government has not imposed any restrictions on internet speed. "There are no limitations on internet speed from the government side. It is completely free and open from the BTRC side; there are no hindrances or guidelines affecting it," he asserted.

The minister came up with these remarks during a briefing after an "Emergency Meeting on Cyber Security at the Current Time". The meeting took place in the conference room of the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) in Agargaon, Dhaka.