Are VPN Providers Profiting From Consumer Ignorance?


Louise Jean

July 24, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.

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US parliamentarians call on the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) to better regulate the business practices of VPNs to limit misleading advertising.

The VPN industry is once again in turmoil. This time, he is accused of claiming to be able to protect women who are seeking an abortion.

VPN and right to abortion: what relationship?

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Senator Ron Wyden are calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address the issue of VPN marketing. These allow their users to establish an encrypted connection between devices and servers. Users can use it to gain access to content inaccessible from their location. In general, VPNs help to better protect the connected activity of internet users. However, they do not offer complete protection.

With abortion set to become illegal in at least 13 US states, seeking information about the procedure could lead to prosecution. In particular, digital online search history could be used against defendants in court. Thus, many people flocked to VPNs, thinking they could protect their internet browsing from police surveillance.

Protecting people seeking abortion

US Members of Parliament warn, however, that VPN protection is far from systematic, or even comprehensive. The latter will therefore have to be clearer about the capacities of their services and not claim to be able to protect people who seek to obtain an abortion. The FTC should also create an information brochure on the risks of Internet research on abortion and the real effectiveness of VPNs.

In the United States, actions to protect confidential patient data are increasing as abortion is increasingly restricted. In particular, Google has promised to automatically delete from their history the location of patients who go to abortion clinics.

VPNs have previously come under fire for their advertising encouraging their customers to use illegal streaming and download sites.

Source : The Verge



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