Yes, using a VPN in Chile is legal, but compliance with local telecommunications and cybersecurity laws is mandatory. The Subtel (Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones) permits VPNs for legitimate purposes, such as data protection or remote work, while prohibiting circumvention of geo-restrictions for unauthorized content access.
Key Regulations for Using a VPN in Chile
- Subtel’s 2023 Cybersecurity Framework requires VPN providers to register with authorities if offering services to Chilean users, ensuring adherence to data retention and encryption standards.
- Law 21.617 (2023) criminalizes VPN use for illegal activities, including piracy or fraud, with penalties up to 5 years imprisonment under the Penal Code.
- ISP Compliance Rules (2024) mandate that VPN services must not interfere with government-mandated content filtering, such as blocking child exploitation material.
Failure to comply risks fines up to 1,000 UTM (~$85,000 USD) or service termination. While personal VPN use remains unpenalized, corporate deployments must align with Subtel’s 2026 audit protocols for enterprise-grade encryption.