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Taiwan's Internet Freedom Tested by App Block
9 Nov
Summary
- RedNote app blocked in Taiwan since December 2025, increasing VPN usage.
- Taiwan's internet freedom is generally high, but specific apps face restrictions.
- Top VPNs like NordVPN and Proton VPN offer solutions for privacy and access.
Taiwan, recognized for its open internet environments, has seen a significant rise in VPN usage since the RedNote app was blocked in December 2025. This restriction, ordered for one year due to fraud cases and security concerns, made the Chinese lifestyle app accessible only via VPN. Freedom House rates Taiwan's internet as free, with major platforms like Google and Meta functioning normally. Using a VPN is legal and beneficial for accessing geo-blocked foreign streaming content, securing data on public Wi-Fi, and maintaining connectivity during trips to mainland China where services like Google and Facebook are prohibited.
Several VPN providers cater to these needs. NordVPN stands out with over 100 servers in Taipei and impressive speeds, unblocking Taiwanese Netflix via its browser extension. Proton VPN, a Swiss company, is lauded for privacy with audited no-logs policies and its Secure Core feature, though it couldn't unblock Taiwanese Netflix. ExpressVPN is recommended for its automatic traffic disguise, ideal for mainland China travel, and excels with Japanese streaming services. Surfshark is a strong contender for streaming variety, unblocking multiple platforms consistently. For budget-conscious users, Private Internet Access offers good value with unlimited device connections, despite slower speeds on distant servers.
