Everything you should know about VPN in France

Modern France was established predicated on the tripartite principles of liberty, equality and fraternity near the end of the 19^th century. France’s government respects its citizen’s privacy, a respect that applies equally to cyberspace too. In fact, French authorities fined tech giant Facebook US $166,777 over the way the company monitors the data of its users. However, in spite of the French government’s commitment to protecting its citizen’s privacy, there can arise occasions for using VPNs in France.

Reasons for using VPN in France

In France VPN can be used for a wide variety of purposes. First of all, it can give users access to geo-restricted website services, including BBC iPlayer, Hulu and Netflix. While Netflix is available in France, the content offered is very limited. In fact, people have a greater chance to watch free movies on Netflix from within the UK, meaning that users connecting to a VPN server in the UK can benefit from a greater variety of Netflix content in French. Hulu is also available only from within the US or from within US military basis or Japan, making VPNs a great option to access it. P2P (peer-to-peer) networks like torrents are illegal in France. In fact, France has amongst the toughest laws in the world when it comes to P2P file sharing. This means that in order to use P2P networks like torrents in France safely, without losing your internet access, you have to use VPNs. This way you can use these networks without the authorities being alerted to it. When residents of France travel abroad, they can use VPN to keep streaming services from their home country, services like Play TV, Canal+ and Eurosport.

How to choose the best VPN for France

Choosing the best VPN for France requires careful attention to a number of factors. Many VPNs make bold promises of unlimited access and fast speeds, so that they can be difficult to choose from. Here are some criteria that you might want to judge by.

Their policy regarding logging

One of the foremost consideration when selecting the best VPN for France is the logging policy of the VPN. Logs refer to a record of your browsing history. Data being processed by a VPN server is capable of being stored, much akin to other ISPs (internet service providers). Governments or third parties can demand to have these logs made accessible to them. VPN companies may often have no choice but to accede in the face of these demands, undermining your privacy. But if the VPN doesn’t keep logs, they have nothing they can share with third parties or agencies of the government. Therefore, always look for a zero-logging policy when selecting your VPN. This will keep your data secure, your privacy protected.

Speed

When you use a VPN, it can result from it slowing down your browsing speed for all browsers, including Chrome. This is because of the process of data encryption plus the long distances that data has to travel for connecting to a VPN server network. Choose a VPN that customizes its software and hardware, delivering connections that are fast, yet maintaining your privacy.

Jurisdiction

Another important factor when choosing the best VPN for France is the location that the company has been registered. Logging policies don’t depend only on the company but on their local laws. The laws in their location may require them to keep logs whether they want to or not. Companies from Australia, Canada, the UK and the US have to record the activity of their users, and, if requested, hand over those records to agencies of the government. So, make sure you know the local laws where the VPN company you choose is registered. Choose VPNs from countries with relaxes laws in this regard.

Device compatibility

Make sure the VPN of your choice is compatible with phones, tablets and other devices.