Government surveillance in Hong Kong is increasing, meaning many residents are searching for a way to protect their privacy with a Hong Kong VPN.
With a VPN, users in Hong Kong can change their IP address to freely surf the web without being watched. Furthermore, Hong Kong VPNs allow residents to express their political views without the fear that anything they share will be linked back to them.
If you’re a Hong Kong resident or plan on visiting the region soon, this article is for you. Here’s everything you need to know about using a VPN to prevent government surveillance and which VPNs offer the best IP addresses to do this.
In 2020, a national security law was passed that essentially limited the internet freedom that Hong Kong residents enjoyed. This law prevents people from freely speaking their minds online, and also limits access to certain websites. Rightly so, many people are concerned about government surveillance and want to find ways around these new restrictions.
If you live in Hong Kong, a VPN is the best way to overcome government surveillance so that you can continue to enjoy online freedom. With a VPN you can change your IP address and visit blocked sites from Hong Kong. As well as this, you’ll be able to share your political thoughts without the fear of repercussions since none of your internet activity can be easily linked to you.
So, if you don’t yet have a VPN, we strongly recommend that you invest in one now. Doing so will allow you to enjoy the privacy you deserve and ensure you don’t face negative consequences from government surveillance.
Changing your IP with a VPN is the easiest way to overcome government surveillance in Hong Kong. Firstly, you need to purchase a good VPN with servers around the world. We recommend one from our list below.
Once you’ve set up the VPN, and familiarized yourself with the app, you need to connect to a server. Any server will do, but we recommend a nearby server for faster speeds. Some VPNs (as seen below with Surfshark) allow users to quickly connect to a fast server with one tap.
Alternatively, if you want to unblock foreign content in a specific place then connect to a server in a certain country.
Government surveillance is rife in Hong Kong, and the consequences for speaking out against the Chinese government can be damning. Therefore, we recommend running tests after connecting to the VPN. Check that your IP address isn’t leaking with PrivacyShark’s IP checker, to ensure that your VPN is working.
Once you’re certain that your IP has changed, then you can start surfing the web with the knowledge that the government cannot see what you’re doing.
Whether you live in Hong Kong or are visiting the region, you need to protect yourself from government surveillance. Below are the best VPNs which will hide your real IP address and internet activity.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, Boxee Box, Chromecast, ChromeOS, FireOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Roku, Windows |
| Streaming: | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouSee, DR TV, Disney+, Plex, Kodi, NBC, ESPN, BBC iPlayer, TV Player, HBO Go, HBO Max, Apple TV |
| Browser Extentions: | Firefox, Safari, Chrome |
Pros:
Fast connection
Zero-log policy
More than 5000 worldwide servers
Cons:
Few payment options
Split tunneling unavaible
6 Devices Maximum
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
NordVPN is an excellent option for Hong Kong residents who want to protect their privacy. It offers a large server network with more than 5000 servers worldwide and even has servers in Hong Kong. So, if you want to continue using a Hong Kong IP address, but still want to hide your activity, you can with NordVPN.
There is industry-standard encryption and support for first-rate VPN protocols to ensure your internet connection is always secure. For more online privacy you can use the Onion over VPN feature, which will reroute your VPN connection through the anonymous Tor network. There is also the option to enable the Double VPN feature too, which changes your IP address twice.
NordVPN also comes with a kill switch to protect your internet privacy in the case that the connection fails for any reason. If the VPN drops, the kill switch will automatically cut your internet connection so that no browsing data is exposed.
Connection speeds are excellent across a wide choice of server locations. The VPN service successfully overcame geo-blocks on a host of streaming sites, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, making it a great option for streaming fans. There is torrenting support across most, although not all, of the server locations too.
NordVPN comes with a range of powerful clients that are compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems. The interface is well-designed and easy to use, even for beginner users. However, there is support for just 6 devices, which is disappointing considering the higher subscription price.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Plenty of payment methods
24 hours live chat support
30 days money back guarantee
Cons:
More expensive than competitors
Only 5 simultaneous connections
No servers in Russia
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
ExpressVPN is a fantastic VPN to protect yourself from government surveillance in Hong Kong. The VPN operates on military-standard security encryption and a 4096 bit RSA certificate to hide your data. Furthermore, it supports only first-rate protocols to ensure secure connections at all times. There is also access to Perfect Forward Secrecy technology to ensure that your previous VPN sessions cannot be linked to your current one.
ExpressVPN has a no-logs policy which ensures none of your VPN activity can be linked back to you. So, if the Hong Kong government were to subpoena ExpressVPN for data logs, it wouldn’t be able to find definitive proof that you’d used the VPN service.
ExpressVPN offers over 3000 server locations meaning Hong Kong users have a lot of choice when it comes to new IP addresses. Better yet, connection speeds are excellent no matter what region or country you connect to. ExpressVPN is also successful at unblocking sites including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and more. For P2P sharers, there is complete support across every server location.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Unblocks streaming services
Based in privacy-friendly country
Cons:
No phone support
No 12 month plan
Few payment methods
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
Surfshark is a strong VPN that will help you avoid government surveillance and enjoy more internet freedom in Hong Kong. The VPN operates on military-grade AES-256 bit encryption and has the MultiHop feature to reroute your data traffic through two servers.
Surfshark VPN also comes with an ad-blocker and a kill switch for an extra layer of security. When it comes to data logging, Surfshark stores no logs meaning your activity on the VPN service won’t be kept anywhere.
Connection speeds are impressive no matter what country or region you connect to. With over 3200 servers on offer, there are plenty of options for Hong Kong residents looking for a new IP address.
There is excellent streaming and social media unblocking ability with support for a range of geo-restricted services and websites across the world.
Surfshark comes with well-designed, simple apps for a range of devices. There is unlimited simultaneous connections on each plan, meaning that you can install the VPN on all of your devices for no extra cost.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 7 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Roku, Windows, Xbox 360 |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Located in privacy-friendly Romania
Accepts Bitcoin as a payment option
NoSpy server network
Cons:
Limited Netflix unblocking capability
No phone support
Uses virtual servers
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
With over 7700 servers in its network, CyberGhost is a great VPN for Hong Kong residents as it offers thousands of IP address options. If you want to spoof your location to unblock blocked content, CyberGhost is a great option.
Not only does CyberGhost have excellent unblocking abilities but it is extremely secure. It has a strong no-logging policy and uses advanced encryption on all of its servers. Plus, it operates the NoSpy server network in Romania, which is great news for people living under government surveillance. Hong Kong users can connect to these secure servers in Romania, and ensure that their data won’t be seen by third parties.
Torrenting fans in Hong Kong will be impressed with the provider’s wide torrenting support across most, although not all, of its servers. There is even an automatic connection feature to ensure P2P protection when you access a particular app or client.
There is a wide range of powerful apps compatible with the most popular devices, including macOS, iOS, Windows, Android, and Linux. The Windows client is especially impressive thanks to a host of extra features that are not often seen in many VPNs. The mobile apps are functional, although they do lack the advanced features of the desktop version.
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
|---|---|
| OS support: | Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, macOS, Windows |
| Streaming: | |
| Browser Extentions: |
Pros:
Audited zero-logs VPN
Chameleon protocol
Supports P2P networking
Cons:
No free trial
Small server network
No browser extensions
Capabilities:
Unlimited Bandwidth
Kill Switch
Split Tunneling
Zero Data Logging
Free Version / Trial
Mobile App
Browser Extention
Netflix Approved
Firestick Compatible
If you are concerned about your online privacy and security in Hong Kong, VyprVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. Firstly, VyprVPN owns all of its servers meaning that it can ensure first-rate network security at all times. Furthermore, it doesn’t collect logs, meaning Hong Kong residents won’t have to worry about VPN usage logs.
VyprVPN also comes with advanced security features such as protocol camouflaging. Its Chameleon protocol bypasses Deep Packet Inspection, making it a great tool for unblocking restricted sites from Hong Kong.
At all times you will be protected by military-grade AES-bit encryption. VyprVPN also operates its own zero-knowledge DNS for an additional security layer that removes the need for third-party intervention of any kind.
VyprVPN’s desktop apps are powerful and come with a decent range of configurable options, including a server sorting feature. However, the kill switch was not as reliable as we would have hoped, which is disappointing.
Currently, VPNs are completely legal in Hong Kong. Installing a premium VPN is the only way to ensure your identity and online activity remain completely private and anonymous.
If you want to avoid government surveillance in Hong Kong, we wouldn’t use a free VPN. Although free VPNs are a great way to spoof your location and access restricted content, they don’t provide enough privacy protection.
Firstly, free VPNs often lack advanced encryption. This means that third parties in Hong Kong could easily decrypt your VPN data and find out exactly what you’re doing online. Moreover, free VPNs are known to store and sell user data, meaning all of your movements with the VPN could be directly traced back to you.
To stay safe from government surveillance in Hong Kong, we recommend only using a premium VPN with a no-logs policy and advanced security features.
TikTok is no longer available in Hong Kong, meaning fans of the social media app need to find ways to use it. Fortunately, a VPN can help you use TikTok in Hong Kong. With a VPN, you can connect to a server in a country where TikTok is permitted (like the US) and change your IP address.
Once your IP address has changed, you should be able to download the app onto your smartphone and create an account. Just remember to activate the VPN every time you want to use TikTok so that you aren’t blocked from using it.
Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids.
I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
Read more about the author