Is Streaming with a VPN Legal in Australia? [Updated 2022]

Is-streaming-with-a-VPN-legal-in-australia

We have come up with the most asked question nowadays is streaming with a VPN legal? Well, yes. It is absolutely legal to use a VPN while streaming in most countries, including the United States and other Western nations. This protects your internet connection as well as your privacy. It also allows you to access content that is typically geographically blocked.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) protects your online identity and hides your browsing history. It can also assist you in accessing content that is geo-restricted. The best VPN for streaming can allow you to access all the content of streaming platforms that can not be accessed in your region.

Although using a VPN to stream is legal, many streaming services actively oppose it in order to keep their content geographically restricted. This is because a streaming service may only have broadcasting rights to particular movies and episodes in specific countries.

But you can still access many streaming platforms like Netflix, Rakuten TV, HBO Max, Youku , Hulu, SIC TV, Teletoon, Prime Plus 1, BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, and others with the help of a VPN. The VPN allows you to watch popular content on platforms like Son of Anarchy, Nana,  and South Park without facing any geo-restrictions.

This simple guide on is it illegal to use a VPN for streaming will answer all questions, so let’s get started.

Streaming with a VPN: The Basics

The main purpose of the VPN is to protect your online privacy and give you access to geo-restricted content.

Is using a VPN illegal? Using a VPN to secure your connection is often recommended by organizations or authorities. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using a VPN to stream movies or series:

  • In some places of the world, using a VPN is prohibited.
  • When using a VPN, illegal activities remain illegal.
  • Virtual private networks (VPNs) are widely agreed upon by most streaming services.

Disney Plus and Amazon Prime prevent the use of a VPN but the best VPNs for Disney Plus let you access all the content of Disney without letting them know. Similarly, you can also use the best Amazon Prime VPNs to bypass the geo-restrictions of this platform without letting them know that you are using a VPN.

Where is Streaming with a VPN Legal?

Only a few countries, including North Korea, Iraq, Oman, and Belarus, have forbidden the use of VPNs completely. VPNs are strongly restricted in a few other countries, including China, Turkey, and the UAE.

VPN companies frequently have to work on a nation-by-country basis because each country has its own rules and regulations. This is why some services are only available in certain countries and leave people wondering ‘is streaming with a VPN legal‘.

The following countries have banned the use of VPNs:

China Belarus
Russia North Korea
Iraq Uganda
Turkmenistan Turkey
UAE Oman

Is it Legal to Download Content with a VPN?

When using a VPN, illegal activities remain illegal.

It’s important to understand that using a VPN doesn’t make illegal activity any less criminal. This involves downloading illegal torrents of software, music, games, television shows, and movies.

Despite being popular over the world, this is usually against the law. Downloading a file without first obtaining consent from the person or business that holds the copyrights to it is prohibited by European law.

Additionally, it is illegal to stream the majority of TV shows and films via free services like Popcorn Time, PrimeWire, and Kodi. Remember that every nation has unique laws, so be sure you are familiar with them at all times.

You are subject to fines and legislation for illegal downloads even when utilizing a VPN. Is VPN legal? Although a VPN makes it more challenging for authorities and other parties to monitor your online activities, it still does not give you full protection.

So always consider your options carefully before choosing to download and watch a movie or a series. In most circumstances, using a streaming service like Netflix or Disney Plus will allow you to locate entertainment in a legal manner. However, be in mind that a VPN isn’t always compatible with these.

Is it Legal to Use a VPN to Unblock Geo-Blocked Content?

No. Even though using a Netflix VPN to unblock geo-restricted content is against streaming service conditions, it isn’t illegal in most countries.

VPNs can frequently get around the geographic restrictions that streaming services impose. Hulu and Peacock, for instance, are only available in the US. However, if you sign up, you may watch them practically anywhere in the world by using a VPN.

You only need to select an American VPN server to gain access to all of the American-only movies, TV shows, and broadcasts that are offered on the site. Although this is entirely legal, it can violate the streaming provider’s terms and conditions.

As soon as you subscribe to a streaming service such as Netflix, you agree to its terms of use. The use of VPN services to access geographically restricted content is frequently forbidden under these terms of service.

The streaming provider may block you if it discovers that you are using a VPN. No matter which country you’re in.

Why Do Streaming Services Dislike VPNs?

Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and HBO Max are not free to distribute all of their content evenly over the globe due to a number of reasons, including the high price of licensing agreements in specific locations.

As a result, limits vary by nation and are common practice for streaming services to block access to particular content based on user location. By making it appear as though the content is being streamed from an authorized area when it isn’t, a VPN can get around these geo-restrictions.

VPNs do this by diverting a user’s internet traffic to a distant server located in a location where the requested content is not geographically restricted.

Because they violate regional license agreements, these VPN usages are problematic concerns for streaming services. The terms and conditions that specify you can only watch content that is available in your area may also be broken.

How to Watch Netflix with a VPN [Quick Guide]

Some VPN providers can actively bypass VPN blocks on Netflix and other streaming platforms by constantly using new IP addresses. This can help you access geo-blocked shows and movies.

You can follow these steps to watch Netflix with a VPN:

  1. Subscribe to a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN.
  2. Download the VPN app on your device.
  3. Connect to a server in the country in which you want to access the Netflix library. If you want to watch American Netflix then use the New York server.
  4. Open Netflix and log in with your credentials.
  5. Enjoy streaming Netflix with a VPN.
Stream with ExpressVPN 30 days money back guarantee

Best VPNs That Are Legal to Use?

We tested 20+ VPN services for legality. Only 3 VPNs performed well during the test. These VPNs have a larger server network, great security features, amazing speed, and excellent customer support. Now, you don’t have to worry about are VPNs legal because with the following VPNs you can always fell safe.

Let’s get into the details:

1. ExpressVPN – Recommended VPN

ExpressVPN is the recommended VPN. It has premium features and fast-speed servers for streaming content. ExpressVPN has an extensive network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, and US servers in 25  locations located in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and others.

expressvpn-for-streaming-in-australia

Get ExpressVPN for streaming to take advantage of Netflix’s unlimited content.

When ExpressVPN was tested on a 100 Mbps internet connection, it delivered a download speed of 89.42 Mbps and an upload speed of 84.64 Mbps.

expressvpn-speed-test

ExpressVPN speed test result on its New York server.

Excellent security features provided by ExpressVPN include Split Tunneling and a Kill Switch. On devices that VPN does not support, you can utilize the Media Streamer feature to watch geo-restricted content.

Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS all work with ExpressVPN. It is compatible with streaming players including Xbox, Roku, Firestick, and Playstation. It also offers 5 simultaneous connections.

ExpressVPN is available for a price of AU$ 10.25 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free and offers a 30-day full money-back guarantee. The fantastic part about ExpressVPN is that it protects your data with 256 encryption technology, and you can use the 24/7 live chat support for any type of assistance.

So, don’t worry about is streaming with a VPN legal and subscribe to ExpressVPN now.

Pros
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • MediaStreamer tool
  • Security features like Split Tunneling and Kill Switch
  • 3000+ servers worldwide

Cons
  • Expensive

Stream with ExpressVPN 30 days money back guarantee

2. Surfshark – Budget-Friendly VPN

Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN service. It cost only AU$ 3.82 /mo (US$ 2.49 /mo ) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee and offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

Surfshark has a network of 3200+ servers in 100+ countries with 600+ servers in 23+ US locations located in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, etc.

surfshark-unblock-hulu-in-australia

Surfshark can easily unblock all the content on Hulu.

In our speed test, Surfshark delivered a download speed of 88.48 Mbps and an upload speed of 79.42 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

surfshark-speed-test

The New York server managed to offer us a super fast speed!

The server of Surfshark has AES 256-bit  and military-grade encryption features. It guarantees no log and offers DNS and IP leak protection.

You can use Surfshark on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. It can be used on streaming devices like Roku, Firestick, Xbox, Smart TVs, and Apple TVs. It also offers 30-day money-back guarantee policy and 24/7 live chat support.

Pros
  • All security features such as Split Tunneling and Kill Switch
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 600+ US servers and 3200+ servers all over the world
  • Unlimited devices

Cons
  • No Split Tunneling on iOS devices

Stream with Surfshark 30 days money back guarantee

3. NordVPN – Largest Server Network

NordVPN has the largest server network It has 6000+ ultra-fast servers in 105 countries and has 1970+ US servers in 15+ US locations.

nordvpn-unblock-hbo-max-in-australia

Enjoy streaming the content on HBO Max with NordVPN.

When we tested this VPN service on 100 Mbps internet connection speed, we were amazed by the results as it offered a download speed of 86.49 Mbps and an upload speed of 79.42 Mbps.

nordvpn-speed-test

The US server managed to offer us a super fast speed!

All of NordVPN’s servers are extremely dependable because they are secured by AES 256-bit encryption. It is one of the top service providers in its field, and it uses a Kill Switch to deliver high-end security.
Six connections are available at once, allowing you to share your account with loved ones.

For iOS and Android devices, NordVPN has specific apps. This service is also compatible with Roku, Xbox, Firestick, Smart TVs, and Apple TVs.

A 30-day money-back guarantee is included with the AU$ 6.13 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend VPN subscription. This VPN service offers live chat support that is available around the clock for any kind of need.

Pros
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • All security features such as Threat Protection, Kill Switch, and Split Tunneling
  • 5,543+ servers worldwide
  • 6 simultaneous connections

Cons
  • Slow servers
  • Allows torrenting on a few servers

Stream with NordVPN 30 days money back guarantee

Watch Movies and Series with a VPN Legally

In most countries, including the United States and other Western nations, using a VPN to stream movies and series is allowed. VPN services can also be used to gain access to geo-restricted content allowing legality of streaming movies.

However, many streaming services will identify this and may ban your access until you disable the VPN. You do not need to be concerned if you utilize it to view free streams.

For example, you may view free anime streaming services without any problems if you utilize a VPN.

So, after understanding is streaming with a VPN legal? The next question is; is it legal to use a VPN for Netflix to watch shows and movies? With the correct VPN and best Netflix VPNs, you can get around this and stream geo-restricted content and the best movies on Netflix.

Furthermore, VPN use is prohibited in some countries, so be mindful of local regulations wherever you go to avoid fines and other legal ramifications. Also, regardless of whether you use a VPN or not, illegally downloading movies and series is prohibited.

You can watch the following TV shows and movies on popular streaming platforms:

Hulu Under the Banner of Heaven
Hulu Mike
Hulu Fool
HBO Max Succession
HBO Max Barry
HBO Max Mare of Easttown
Netflix Money Heist
Netflix You
BBC iPlayer Strike
BBC iPlayer The English
Adult Swim American Dad
Adult Swim Assy McGee

FAQs

A VPN can offer protection against illegal entities on the internet. However, it can also be used for illegal reasons online, putting you in violation of the law. VPN services are not illegal in most countries, and their use is commonly accepted.

You may watch movies, TV shows, and stream content from websites (like Hulu and BBC iPlayer) that are ordinarily inaccessible to you when using a VPN. Even if you already have a VPN, you still require a subscription to access a paid streaming service like Netflix. While a VPN expands your viewing options, it does not make paid services accessible for free.

You can download torrents in a more anonymous and safe manner using a VPN, as your IP address will not be exposed. A virtual private network (VPN) hides your IP address and encrypts your internet activity.

A warrant canary is a statement made by VPNs stating that they have not received any legal requests for customer-sensitive data disclosure. The warrant canary is removed from the VPN service’s website after it receives a warrant, subpoena, or letter.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve now got the answer to the question; is streaming with a VPN legal and now you have a clear picture of what VPNs are and where they are allowed or restricted.

The right VPN can always help you to get access to content that is geo-restricted in your region. But keep in mind to check first if the region where you want to watch the geo-restricted content allows the use of a VPN.

With a VPN you can get access to the best movies on Amazon Prime and best shows on CBC in your region.

If you have any further questions do let us know in the comment section below.

Chris Mack

Chris Mack

Meet Chris Mack, your go-to expert for the best of BBC iPlayer with a twist—he's also a cybersecurity enthusiast. Whether you're into British entertainment classics or searching for hidden gems, Chris has you covered, always with an eye for secure streaming practices. Beyond the screen, Chris blends his love for reading and exploring the outdoors with a passion for staying ahead in the world of cybersecurity, ensuring a safe viewing experience. If you're looking for top British TV picks or tips on keeping your digital viewing secure, Chris is your guide. Dive into the drama of British TV with Chris!


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