Denmark wants to ban VPNs to unlock foreign, illegal streams – and experts are worried

• Denmark wants to ban VPNs for streaming foreign and illegal content
• Digital rights groups slam the bill's broad wording as a "totalitarian" feel
• The Danish Culture Minister insists the goal is to target online piracy

The Danish government has ignited a firestorm of criticism after proposing a new bill that would make it illegal to use a VPN to access geoblocked streaming content or bypass restrictions on illegal websites.

The proposal, which is part of a larger legislative effort to combat online piracy, has alarmed digital rights advocates who fear it could have far-reaching consequences for internet freedom in the country.

While many people use the best VPN services to enhance their online privacy and security, they are also commonly used to access streaming libraries from other countries, for example, watching American Netflix from Denmark. According to a recent survey by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, 9% of Danes have used a VPN for this purpose.

The bill, put forward by Denmark’s Ministry of Culture, states that it would be prohibited to "use VPN connections to access media content that would otherwise not be available in Denmark, or to bypass blocking of illegal websites." If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2026, with offenders facing a fine.

The proposal was immediately condemned by privacy advocates. Jesper Lund, chairman of the IT Political Association, expressed deep concern over the bill’s ambiguous language, stating it has a "totalitarian feel to it."

Lund argued that the current wording could be interpreted so broadly that it would not only criminalize streaming but also hinder the sale and legitimate use of VPN services across Denmark.

"Even in Russia, it is not punishable to bypass illegal websites with a VPN," Lund told Danish broadcaster DR, pointing out that the proposed Danish law could go further than measures seen in more authoritarian states.

A pattern of controversial legislation

The proposed VPN restrictions do not exist in a vacuum and fit into a wider pattern of legislative efforts from Denmark that have been criticized by privacy experts.

The country has been a key proponent of the recent push for the EU’s controversial "Chat Control" bill, in fact, a proposal aimed at scanning private digital messages for illicit content that critics have slammed as a "disaster waiting to happen." After initial plans stalled, Denmark introduced a revised proposal, successfully moving the bill at its final legislative stage.

This move follows other legislative trends, including a recent push to ban social media for children under 15, mirroring a similar ban in Australia.

Together, these initiatives suggest a growing willingness from Danish lawmakers to restrict online activities in the name of safety and copyright protection.

Europe doubles down against online piracy

Across Europe, copyright holders have been doubling down on VPN providers recently. The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has been pressing for VPNs to take a larger role in anti-piracy efforts, while broadcasters in France have successfully forced some VPNs to block access to illegal sports streams.

However, Denmark's proposal marks a significant escalation by shifting the legal liability from the provider to the end-user.

In response to the backlash, Danish Minister of Culture Jakob Engel-Schmidt pushed back, stating, "I am not in favor of making VPN illegal, and I will never propose that. That is why the critics have also got this bill completely wrong." He clarified that the intent is rather to stop illegal piracy.

As the bill is now out for consultation, digital rights organizations will be watching closely to see whether these clarifications will truly protect the legitimate uses of VPNs or simply pay lip service to the significant privacy concerns that have been raised.

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