Current Message

Information from 23.03.2026

Warning regarding the use of VPN services in China

According to information from the Federal Foreign Office, the use of VPN services to circumvent state internet censorship in China has been prohibited since the Chinese Cybersecurity Law came into force. There is therefore a risk that the use of VPN services may be subject to criminal prosecution, and in some circumstances may also result in pre-trial detention.

The Federal Foreign Office strongly advises against using such VPN services in China.

Always find out about information security risks in your destination country before you travel: familiarise yourself with the common information security risks in the country you are visiting, such as public Wi-Fi, cybercrime and state surveillance.
The travel and security advice issued by the Federal Foreign Office is a good starting point. In addition, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has published the information sheets ‘Security on Business Trips’ and ‘Security on Business Trips: China’.

Your Chief Information Security Officers
Ralf Offele & Ebru Ernesti (deputy)