Unsafe VPNs Pose Hidden Threat to Users in Authoritarian Countries
A recent study warns that many virtual private network (VPN) applications, widely used to bypass internet censorship, may not provide adequate security and could put the privacy of millions of users at serious risk.
The nonprofit organization Free Technology Foundation conducted the research and found that a significant number of VPN services face major security vulnerabilities.
According to Deutsche Welle, these VPN applications, used by individuals in countries such as Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea to access blocked content, can in practice expose users’ identities.
The report also cautions that some VPN providers use complex and opaque corporate structures to conceal their actual ownership. For instance, companies registered in Singapore may in fact be controlled from within China, making them subject to strict Chinese laws.
The study identified eight VPN providers, whose multiple apps have been downloaded over 700 million times, as “highly problematic.” Among these, Turbo VPN and VPN Proxy Master were specifically noted for failing to deliver the security they claim to offer.
Benjamin Mixon-Baca, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that such weaknesses are catastrophic for user privacy, allowing governments or malicious actors to track individuals’ online activities.
Researchers recommend that users avoid free VPN applications and instead turn to trusted, secure VPN services. Additionally, the Tor browser is suggested as a safer alternative for maintaining online privacy.
The findings highlight a critical paradox: tools designed to ensure access to information and freedom online can, if chosen poorly, become significant threats to users’ privacy and security.
