In spite of the VOC's historic roles and contributions, the Company has long been criticized for its monopoly, violence, colonialism, slave trade, exploitation (including use of slave labour), and environmental destruction.
Meski peran dan sumbangan sejarah VOC sangat banyak, Perusahaan ini banyak dikritik karena melakukan monopoli, kekerasan, kolonialisme, perdagangan budak, eksploitasi (termasuk penggunaan tenaga kerja budak), dan perusakan lingkungan.