Hong Kong VPN installs and searches surge in response to CCP's national security law announcement

Following a decision made by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to unilaterally impose a radical national security law on Hong Kong, Atlas VPN has reported a massive citywide spike in the number of Virtual Private Network (VPN) software packages being installed. 

Atlas VPN reported that the ramping up of installs is likely related to Hongkongers' fears of surveillance and censorship by the CCP, as the new law would include bans on any speech deemed seditious in nature as well as allowances for Chinese state security agencies to operate in the city. Though the law has not yet been officially enacted in Hong Kong by the local government, its introduction by the CCP at the recent annual National People's Congress event in Beijing has likely rattled people's sense of wellbeing. VPNs would alleviate much of that concern as they allow users to disguise their location and identity, as well as evade many restrictions online.

According to Atlas VPN's data, the number of organic VPN installations – where Hong Kong residents proactively searched for a VPN service themselves – increased by 150 times from 17 to 24 May. This rise in downloads and installations started on 21 May, the same day that news about the new law broke. On that day, the number of installations surged by 520%, compared to the previous day. On 22 May, VPN installations continued to increase as the number of installations was then 210% higher than that of 21 May. 

Google trends data has also shown similar results regarding Hong Kong residents’ interest in VPNs. On 21 May, VPN search term interest in Hong Kong surged by 1,680%, compared to 20 May. Keyword searches for VPNs reached their peak on 22 May at a value of 100 points, the maximum search interest for the time and location selected

While Hong Kong has long celebrated the ability of its citizens to practice free speech both online and offline, Chinese mainland netizens have had to cope with massive restrictions.on their activities. VPNs are in common use for those that wish to gain access to the large share of the world's internet – including sites like Google and Twitter – that is locked behind the government's "Great Firewall" block.  

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