Morocco is the westernmost country in the Arab world. 32 million people (approximately 76 percent of the population) have access to the Internet. Mobile phone usage is higher than the population count, with 45 million mobile phones inside of the constitutional monarchy. As the world continues to become more connected, Morocco is caught in a balancing act. The country wants to bring in more business from the European Union but is facing a continual rise in Islamic extremism.

Internet freedom is low in Morocco, which leads many citizens to use a Morocco VPN. VPNs help to protect information online, especially in situations where the government doesn’t have strong cybersecurity measures in place. It’s hard for Morocco to guarantee safe access to the Internet to its citizens. Furthermore, developing countries are often more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Is it Legal to Use a VPN in Morocco?

It is legal to use a VPN in Morocco. The government, however, does selectively restrict online platforms. They are particularly concerned with online communication, with restrictions on Skype, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger in place. It’s recommended to use a Morocco VPN in Morocco in response to these efforts to limit Internet freedom.

Why Use a VPN in Morocco?

Since 2009, Law n° 09-08 of 18 February 2009 was set up to protect individuals in Morocco. This law adds new security measures regarding the handling of personal data. This law aligns with an attempt to encourage foreign investment in the country. By meeting the data protection measures in place by the European Union, Morocco strives to attract international business.

Because of this data protection law, the public has more information about data collection and how it is used by the government.

Individual privacy can still be breached for criminal investigations. However, Morocco is not a member of any intelligence alliance. As a result, citizens do not need to worry about the transfer of information to other governments, even though they are still vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Limited Content

Censorship also extends to streaming content. Much of the online entertainment consists specifically of local content. Journalists also practice self-censorship, which limits the press content that is accessible to people who live in Morocco.

If you wish to access geo-restricted content then you should use a Morocco VPN.

Cybersecurity

Hackers often take advantage of nations that have lower security protocols in place. Moroccan banks have been hacked on several occasions. And we’ve already discussed how the government actively targets Moroccan human rights activists who protest the government online.

Censorship

Though data protection is guaranteed by the government, there is still selective censorship in Morocco. Political sites and Pirate Bay are not blocked. However, some social media sites and adult sites are censored. Citizens can use Facebook, but there are certain limitations in place. The government has also been known to block sites such as YouTube and Google. During protests in Morocco that followed the Arab Spring, there were crackdowns on journalists and activists covering the events online.

Selective censorship measures go hand and hand with Morocco’s desire to be part of the Western business world while preserving its overarching Islamic principles.

The government can also take action against royal dissidents. People who present the king or his family ways that are deemed inappropriate can be prosecuted.

Using a Morocco VPN is recommended in Morocco due to the select government restrictions that are in place. By taking precautions to protect your online behavior, Moroccans can avoid fines and prison sentences.

Protection On Free WiFi

As the world continues to be more connected, free WiFi hotspots are an expected commodity. Tourism is a large part of the Moroccan economy, which means there is WiFi in cafes, hotels, and many public spaces. There are currently 50,563 free WiFi hotspots in Morocco.

While convenient, free WiFi is vulnerable to hackers and cyber-attacks. Hackers will often set up a connection in between your device and the hotspot which you are trying to connect to. Because free WiFi networks are often unencrypted and unsecured, your information is exposed. Hackers can access whatever information you transfer between your device and the websites you visit.

A quality Morocco VPN also works effectively on mobile devices. The use of a Morocco VPN adds an extra level of security every time you use an open hotspot.

Internet Speed and VPN Accessibility

Morocco’s average Internet speed is the fastest in the Arab world. It is also one of the fastest in Africa. The average peak speed is 7.36 Mbps, which is faster than both Nigeria and Ghana. The country ranks number 53 out of 190 countries in terms of world mobile speeds. Download speeds are approximately 33.87 Mbps. The upload speed on mobile devices averages out to 13.81 Mbps.

Data compiled by speedtest.net puts Morrocco at 120th when it comes to broadband fixed Internet. Slow Internet speeds means that users will regularly experience latency and buffering when accessing media or downloading large files.

VPN Servers

There are many quality VPN providers with servers in Morocco if you wish to maintain a local IP address. PureVPN, for instance, has three VPN servers in Morocco. But a local address will not protect you from local censorship measures. It will also not allow you to access content that might be blocked due to geo-restrictions.

What to Look for in a Morocco VPN

If you’re considering the use of a VPN in Morocco, it’s important to look for certain features. Free VPNs often do not have strong security measures in place. A lack of security can lead to both cyberattacks and data hacking.

Access to multiple servers is another feature to look for when choosing a Morocco VPN. Many countries in Africa have strong censorship laws in place, or they conduct government surveillance. As a result of licensing and distribution regulations, these countries also have limited access to premium streaming content. A VPN provider that has multiple servers can switch your IP address to a country with more Internet freedom. As a result, you will be able to unblock content that may be under regulation or simply unavailable in Morocco.

Because Morocco is an emerging nation, it doesn’t have the same security measures in place as many developed countries. If you want to make sure your online information is safe while using the Internet in Morocco, then you need to use a Morocco VPN.

Another feature to look out for is a no-logging policy. While the best VPN providers do not log your data, some are required to store information for use by law enforcement. Check the location of your VPN provider and see if legislation requires them to track their users.

Wrapping Up

While Morocco provides its citizens with more Internet liberties than many Arab nations, there is still censorship. Distribution and licensing regulations also limit the streaming content available in the country.

Although Morocco does not have competitive Internet speeds, the use of a Morocco VPN will provide you with additional online access and security. The country hopes to bring in more Western businesses, but it also struggles to protect its Islamic identity. Make sure you take steps to circumvent selective censorship and secure your personal information with the use of a VPN.