Introduction: VPN technology and its application background

Quick Connect VPN is an important tool used by many people to break through geographical restrictions and protect their privacy, especially in an increasingly complex network environment. However, whether the use of Kuailian VPN in China is legal and compliant has always been the focus of controversy. Many users say that they can access blocked websites and services through a VPN, and they can also avoid privacy leaks. However, the legal status of VPNs in the country is not clear, and the interpretation of regulations is complex.

From a technical point of view, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that creates a private network connection through encryption technology. This tool is widely used, including internal network encryption, cross-border information exchange encryption, and personal privacy protection purposes. However, in China, the compliance of services such as Quick Connect VPN faces different scrutiny, which largely involves the interpretation of the Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China and related regulatory documents.

Interpretation of the regulations of Kuailian VPN in China

Relevant provisions of the Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China

According to the Cybersecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, which was implemented in 2017, the legality of VPNs is not directly mentioned in the normative description of online behavior. However, according to the “principle of national cyberspace sovereignty” mentioned in Article 12 of the regulation, any unauthorized establishment, sale, or use of unauthorized network channels to circumvent state cyber management may fall into a gray area.

In January 2018, Xinhua News Agency publicly reported that some VPN operators had been cleaned up without obtaining telecom business licenses approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. This means that there needs to be a clear legal basis for doing business with VPN services, and they can only be operated if they are authorized by the government.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued a special rectification plan for VPNs

Another important regulatory basis comes from the Notice on Cleaning Up and Rectifying the Internet Access Service Market issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in January 2017. It stipulates that it will be considered illegal to carry out cross-border private line agency business without approval. The purpose of the notice is to clean up and rectify the illegal use of virtual network technology and ensure legal network access and supply channels.

For users with personal needs such as using a fast connect VPN, it is also necessary to pay special attention to the fact that ordinary users who use VPN services may still face legal risks if they use VPN services and if they involve illegally accessing external websites or bypassing national content censorship. TechRadar, an internationally renowned cybersecurity website, also mentioned that there are significant differences in the policy environment of VPN tools in different countries, and China is a typical example of stricter policies.

Case Study: Limitations of VPN Domestic Use Compliance

Case 1: Illegal VPN operation in a certain place in 2019

According to Southern Weekly, in 2019, a user in Shenzhen was prosecuted by local police for “illegal business operations” for building and selling a VPN service, and was eventually sentenced and fined. This case reveals the potential risks of companies and individuals overextending the scope of VPN applications, and also shows that regulators are strictly enforcing in this area.

Case 2: Compliance attempts to legally use corporate VPNs

Another positive example is that a number of multinational companies in China have obtained licenses to use dedicated VPNs. These companies apply for permission through the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to ensure cross-border use of their business systems, such as foreign companies connecting to servers in their home countries. These cases illustrate that there is still a channel for the legitimate use of VPNs in specific circumstances. However, the use of Quick Connect VPN by ordinary individual users for entertainment, privacy protection, and other purposes is not protected by clear national policies.

Complex data support: VPN usage status and trends

China Internet Industry Report Data

According to the 51st Statistical Report on the Development of the Internet in China, as of 2022, the number of Internet users in China has reached 1.051 billion, and about 36% of them have expressed a need for cross-border access. Several technology consulting firms predict that the number of VPN users in China will continue to grow at an average annual rate of 5.7%.

However, there are also data showing that more than 80% of VPN tool users in the domestic market are not aware of the potential legal constraints of using such services, and this phenomenon is becoming a key issue in China’s online content security governance.

In addition, some international data also reflects the dependence of markets outside of China on VPNs. For example, according to Statista, the global VPN services market is expected to exceed $75 billion by 2027, proving that the global demand for secure connections continues to surge, while the compliance environment in the domestic market restricts the free expansion of some services.

How do users assess the compliance of using Quick Connect VPN?

It makes sense to give users some practical advice. When assessing compliance, it is recommended that users check whether the Quick Connect VPN is recognized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) or has obtained the relevant license. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the behavior done does not violate local laws and regulations in China before use