Internet Users in Saudi Arabia
Saudis internet users have experienced rapid growth in the past years. In 2009 only 27.1 percent of the population used the internet and communication technologies. However, the number has grown to 64.7 percent by the end of 2016. Currently, Saudi Arabia has over 20 million internet users, with over 45 percent having broadband subscriptions at home and majority using an ADSL connection.
With more than 44.5 million mobile broadband users in Q1 2017, it has increased to 140 percent only within few years. Also, cell phone usage has increased. However, more than 80 per cent of mobile subscribers use top-up cards.
Internet Censorship in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is well known for blocking and filtering online content. It has been increasing throughout the past years even more. Censorship remains high when it comes to discussing politics, religion matters, and the royal family.
Officially, Saudi authorities block content that is harmful, illegal, anti-Islamic and offensive. It includes sites that are anything to do with gambling, pornography, and drugs.
Also, it keeps blocking pages that may promote violent networks or extremist ideology. The Saudi government also doesn’t appreciate criticism of Saudi royal family and other Gulf Arab states.
In Saudi Arabia, online torrenting sites like Pirate Bay and downloading software like uTorrent are unavailable too. Blocked service list is very long. But the only way to bypass all the restrictions imposed by authorities is to subscribe with a VPN for Saudi Arabia.
What is a Virtual Private Network?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a digital tool that allows bypassing online restrictions by encrypting internet traffic. Connect to a VPN server in another location and hide your IP address. It makes sure your internet identity stays anonymous.
10 Best VPN Saudi Arabia Services
Our recommended providers are top Virtual Private Network companies that offer well priced monthly and yearly subscription packages. All of them are providing a lot of beneficial features.
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Compatability
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Compatability
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Compatability
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Compatability
- Score 93%
Easy to use VPN software, Feature that allows to track and block ads, Free VPN account
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Compatability
- Score 96%
Great customer and technical support, have many unique IP addresses, good price when signing up for a year, 5 day money back guarantee
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- Countries 60
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Compatability
- Score 97.6%
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Compatability
- Score 94.6%
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Compatability
- Score 95.9%
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Compatability
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Our best providers allow you to connect to hundreds of VPN servers around the globe. Furthermore, it will offer you unlimited bandwidth and easy to use software. Most of these services are also available for your PC/Mac, Smart Phone/Tablet, Console (Apple TV, PS4, Xbox, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, WD TV, Boxee Box.
The best VPN providers also have easy to set up manuals for routers, Chromebook, Ebook Readers and NAS. Most of the VPNs offer a money back guarantee. Also, some providers offer free service. However, it usually comes with a limited data and feature offerings.
Unblock Content
Saudi Arabia censorship makes it hard to access and view a lot of websites and online content. Many Saudis are experiencing these restrictions on a daily basis. Not only imposed restrictions but also logging policies in Saudi Arabia are strict.
Any internet activity can be tracked and saved even for the most innocent users. With the Saudi Arabia VPN, you can keep your data safe, not allowing any data retention schemes to be imposed on your online activity.
Virtual Private Network proxy service also allows you to unblock other foreign websites that aren’t available in your country. Sites like Netflix and Hulu offer a broad range of movies and tv-show collection. If you are an expat in Saudi, using a VPN service you can also access BBC iPlayer, Fox, HBO Go, ABS Family, CBS.
Furthermore, if you are interested to find out how to watch porn in Saudi Arabia, then you should check out our article about best VPN for Porn.
P2P File Sharing and Torrenting
In Saudi Arabia, any websites that are used to distribute copyrighted materials online, like Pirate Bay and other torrent sites are completely illegal. The Saudi government blocks them.
However, with a Virtual Private Network, you can connect to a server in another country which isn’t as strict on downloading and streaming copyrighted material. It lets you enjoy your favorite movies and tv-shows completely for free.
Unblock Whatsapp and Other Chat Apps
With an access VPN service you can unblock Whatsapp, Viber, Skype, Tango, Line, Facebook Messenger and other chat apps that are unavailable in Saudi Arabia.
Get an Arab VPN service and connect to a server where your chat app is available. It will allow you to use it just like in unrestricted countries.
Conclusion
Living in a digital era we all wish to be able to access all the content and information online. However, this is not exactly the case in Saudi Arabia. The government censorship is very high there. Saudi authorities have blocked websites and content that are readily available in most of the other countries in the world. To be able to open your way to online freedom, subscribe to a VPN service. Keep your data safe and secure from your own government as well as online hackers.