Internet privacy laws

Mullvad is a Swedish-based, independently owned, open-source VPN provider that puts security and privacy above all else. Every other VPN provider says it does as well, but Mullvad goes to great lengths to convey that it genuinely does put security and privacy first. Mullvad $5 at Mullvad Get Price Alerts You're receiving price alerts for Mullvad Like Average speed loss only 23% Kill switch always enabled Open-source Don't Like 14-Eyes jurisdiction (Sweden) Not ideal for international streaming No live chat support The apps are simple in design and easy to use, yet offer sufficient customization options to keep experienced VPN users happy. And Mullvad offers all the security and privacy features you need to stay safe online. It's a fast, user-friendly VPN that easily holds its own against the big-name VPN providers. Overall, I was impressed with Mullvad's commitment to … [Read more...] about Mullvad Review: Solid Security and Privacy, But Swedish Jurisdiction is Concerning

Audio player loading… With digital technologies at the center of our everyday life, the amount of data that's exchanged online keeps going up. It isn't that surprising then, in fact, that the interest in the best VPN services among consumers is high everywhere. Governments across the world are also setting up new regulations on how such sensitive information should be stored, used, and shared. New data laws like the EU GDPR are a significant step, but they are not enough. That's partly because cyberattacks are on the rise, too. Even worse, evidence actually suggests how home devices are now the top target . On the occasion of the annual Data Privacy Day, we're then sharing nine tips on how to stay safe online and secure your anonymity when your data gets compromised. As Vaibhav Antil CEO of Privado , one of the best free VPN providers around, said: "Data Privacy Day gives us all an opportunity to take a second and think about what we share about … [Read more...] about Data Privacy Day: 9 tips to protect your online life

Audio player loading… The field of best VPN providers shutting down their Indian servers is getting crowded, with NordVPN being the latest to join the group of exiting providers. Following ExpressVPN's exit from India , Surfshark's pledge to remove its physical servers and yesterday Hide.me's announcement to pull the plug , the Panama-based provider confirmed its commitment to protecting the privacy of its customers. "As digital privacy and security advocates, we are concerned about the possible effect this regulation may have on people’s data," said Head of Public Relations at NordVPN Laura Tyrylyte. "Therefore, we are no longer able to keep servers in India." Expected to come into force in roughly two weeks, India's new CERT-In directives will force VPN companies to keep users' data for up to five years. These will include sensitive information like IP addresses , real names and usage patterns. Providers will also have to share this … [Read more...] about NordVPN set to leave India citing fears over freedom of speech

7.5 Lorex Smart Home Security Center $450 at Lorex Get Price Alerts You're receiving price alerts for Lorex Smart Home Security Center Like Solid cameras Free local storage Don't Like Overpriced Dependent on an outmoded hub Most home security systems work like this: Entry sensors, motion detectors and a slew of other doodads monitor your home for break-ins. When you leave the house -- or just turn in for the night -- you arm the system, which gives you confidence that if something happens that shouldn't, you (and potentially emergency services ) will be swiftly notified. Lorex isn't like other home security systems. Its Smart Home Security Center doesn't come with the various and sundry sensors that stock the online stores of Ring or SimpliSafe -- although if you want, you can buy a separate set of sensors to integrate. Instead, for better or worse, Lorex focuses on two things: … [Read more...] about Lorex Smart Home Security Center Review

Audio player loading… Update: As of June 28, Indian authorities have extended the deadline for VPNs to leave or amend logging practices to September 25 (opens in new tab) (link heads to The Indian Express). All VPN services running servers in India must now comply with a new data law that has now officially come into force. According to new CERT-In regulations, security software companies are legally obligated to store users' data - like IP addresses , real names and usage patterns - for up to five years. They will also be required to hand this information over to authorities upon request. Since the government announcement was released on April 28, internet users, privacy advocacy and cybersecurity experts have been expressing concerns on how these regulations will have a negative impact on people's privacy . All this has led to some of the best VPN services taking drastic measures in order not to compromise privacy values and to … [Read more...] about Any VPN with servers in India must now store activity logs on users

Audio player loading… UK campaigners are warning that the Online Safety Bill will be "on the verge of being unworkable" if presented to MPs in its current form. 16 groups have sent a letter to the UK Culture Secretary Nadine Norris, calling for the Government to introduce further amendments. They claim that the bill focuses too heavily on regulating what people can say online, rather than taking into account the role of tech companies in promoting harmful content. "As a result, it risks being the worst of both worlds: failing to keep us safe, while also threatening free speech," they wrote. Among the signatories, there are Fair Vote UK, Open Britain, Hope Not Hate and Unlock Democracy. ✍️ Today, we wrote to @NadineDorries warning that new social media laws are on the verge of being unworkable. The government may sit in total disarray – but that doesn’t mean they should get away with bad legislation. There’s still time to fix the … [Read more...] about Online Safety Bill “on the verge of being unworkable”

Audio player loading… Following the fall of Roe v. Wade and the ensuing abortion bans, women in the US have been recommended to use one of the best VPN services to protect their sensitive health information. However, not all VPN providers live up to their security and privacy claims. This is why lawmakers are urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action against what they describe as "deceptive advertising and data collection practices." On July 13, US. Rep. Anna Eshoo and Senator Ron Wyden wrote a letter (opens in new tab) to the FTC Chair Lina Khan to call for the Commission to better regulate the sector. "The VPN industry is extremely opaque, and many VPN providers exploit, mislead, and take advantage of unwitting consumers," they wrote. Lawmakers lamented a lack of tools to carry out independent VPN audits to back up providers' security claims. They also pointed out how some VPN review sites are actually owned by companies selling … [Read more...] about FTC urged to take action against deceptive VPNs amid abortion ban

Rating: 6/10 ? 1 - Does not work 2 - Barely functional 3 - Severely lacking in most areas 4 - Functions, but has numerous issues 5 - Fine yet leaves a lot to be desired 6 - Good enough to buy on sale 7 - Great and worth purchasing 8 - Fantastic, approaching best-in-class 9 - Best-in-class 10 - Borderline perfection Price: Starting At $5/Month VyprVPN is an independent VPN service owned and operated by Switzerland-based Golden Frog. It has a strong reputation for privacy and also is at the forefront of efforts to fight internet censorship. I took it for a spin to see how it performs. When compared to the best VPNs , VyprVPN performs well but not without some small issues. Thanks to its censorship-busting Chameleon protocol, it’s a great pick for people trying to use the internet from China or similarly restrictive regimes. However, it falls short in some other areas, most notably its inability to unblock Netflix . Here's … [Read more...] about VyprVPN Review: Venomous or Defanged?

Whether or not your VPN should be on all the time depends on how concerned you are with tracking, and whether or not your connection can handle the inevitable slowdown. If it can, then leave it on. Otherwise, use it only for sensitive activity. If VPN marketing material is to be believed, the only way to stay safe while online is to keep your VPN on at all times. Is that really necessary, though? What are the positives about always having your VPN on, and are there any negatives? Unsurprisingly, the answer isn’t as simple as marketers would have us believe. While VPNs are a great tool to prevent online surveillance, there are some noticeable drawbacks when using them. Let’s go over the pros and cons of leaving your VPN on all the time. Why We Use VPNs The case for always having your VPN on is simple: marketers are collecting your data every second you’re on the web, and a VPN is a powerful tool that will stymie their efforts. It’s not the only tool—you should also use … [Read more...] about Do You Really Need to Have Your VPN On All the Time?