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cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/35967051

Most people turn to a VPN for one reason: privacy. And with its verified badge, featured placement, and 100k+ installs, FreeVPN.One looked like a safe choice. But once it’s in your browser, it’s not working to keep you safe, it’s continuously watching you.

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[-] callouscomic@lemmy.zip 15 points 4 days ago

VPNs are wild to me. "Hey! Pay some company to promise not to watch you so you can pretend to be private and not have some company watching you."

[-] Zetta@mander.xyz 14 points 4 days ago

Generally speaking, if you're paying for a VPN, then you should be paying for a provider that is no log. Free VPNs, you get what you pay for, which is nothing. So you don't really get any security with that.

[-] callouscomic@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 days ago

I've watched this go down long enough in enough industries to know better than to believe their claim of not logging.

You're being watched. Hell, your data's probably being handed over to cops without your knowledge.

[-] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 17 points 4 days ago

better than having a company that is directly known as watching you and sending all of it to your government

some companies have built a strong reputation

[-] callouscomic@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Knowing a company is watching me because it's openly known, is to me better than paying a company to not watch me and likely risk them simply selling out eventually like they all do.

It's funnier when you stupidly expected them to protect you, PAID them for it, and they don't.

It's like 23andme. Too fucking funny and everyone deserves it for their stupidity.

[-] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

VPN companies have a low interest in selling user data. Their business model is pretty profitable already, and any leak of this would instantly kill the brand.

There's no reason for proton and mullvad to sell user data. They would be legally liable and they would break their profitable companies

It’s like 23andme

fucking DNA stuff that was even written in the privacy policy iirc so meh, not the same

simply selling out eventually like they all do

would love to get examples of this. I have a lot of counter examples

[-] gl38@feddit.uk 1 points 4 days ago

What's better? The devil you know or the devil you don't?

[-] Electricd@lemmybefree.net 6 points 4 days ago

the devil you don’t

You're saying the reputable company is a devil we don't know? If you want to be dishonest, try a bit harder.

What you should say is "What's better? The devil you know or the unknown entity that claims to be an angel (and that hasn't been caught doing bad things since its existence, a few years)?"

this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2025
543 points (100.0% liked)

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