Top VPN providers get recognized as secure and ethical products

Whether it’s improving your online privacy or gaining access to censored sites and other geo-restricted content, you’ve probably come across security software known as virtual private networks.

The industry is capable of both encrypting internet connections and spoofing IP addresses and is chock full of vendors offering very similar products. Still, the level of protection and security can vary dramatically between different VPN services. How do you choose the right software?

The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) – a group of industry leaders – launched the VPN Trust Initiative (VTI) in December 2019 to promote consumer security and privacy online by strengthening companies’ business practices. Now, as of September 26, 2023, the coalition took the new one step further VPN Trust Seal Accreditation Program giving consumers a clear and public indication that a specific VPN provider fully meets these criteria.

VPN Trust Seal accreditation

“As VPN customers now try to determine which providers adhere to their ethics, they can look for the VPN Trust Seal and gain some assurance about the obligations behind the products they choose to purchase,” said Christian Dawson, co-founder and executive director, i2Coalitie.

The new initiative is in fact the natural continuation of what the i2Coalition started in 2019 with the VTI. At the time, the industry-led consortium, which included some of the largest VPN companies out there (such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark), introduced a set of principles intended to serve as a comprehensive set of best practices for companies within the sector. .

There are five key principles that Coalition members agree on. These are:

1. Security. VPNs are expected to use the necessary security measures, including strong encryption protocols, advanced security features, and a proactive approach to quickly respond to issues when they arise.
2. Advertising Practices. Providers must ensure that their promotional messages are not misleading or overly promising. TechRadar even reported on the dangers of YouTube influencers selling VPNs.
3. Privacy. Perhaps a foregone conclusion: Recent data shows that more than 70% of providers are in violation of the GDPR. As a rule of thumb, VPNs should collect as little information as possible to provide the service. Consumers should opt for a log-free VPN whenever possible.
4. Disclosure and transparency. Affiliated VPN companies are expected to take steps to inform users and the public of their actions and procedures. Things like independent VPN audits are becoming the industry standard.
5. Social responsibility. VPN providers must demonstrate their commitment to supporting access to the global internet and freedom of expression through the use of their technology.

These principles guided the coalition to award the VPN Trust Seal badge to services committed to protecting user privacy and security, providing practical guidance to other providers and ensuring regulators have access to the criteria to better assess these technologies.

The “inaugural” group of secure VPN providers to receive the accreditation includes Hide.me, FastVPN, IvacyVPN, NordVPN, PureVPN, Surfshark, IPVanish, StrongVPN, eVenture Ltd and ExpressVPN.

Providers who earn VPN Trust Seal accreditation will now display the badge on their websites to help users make informed choices.

According to NordVPN, this is more than just an accreditation: it’s a promise to their users to continue striving for best practices and standards. A recent blog post from NordVPN states: “In this digital age, aligning with ethical practices and gaining trust is not a choice but a necessity.”

IPVanish also welcomed the news as an “important milestone” in their ongoing commitment to providing users with the best possible VPN experience. And for Surfshark, this is further confirmation that their privacy claims always represent their actions.

Sebastian Schaub, CEO of Hide.me, told TechRadar: “We have worked incredibly hard to ensure we are aligned with the VPN Trust Initiative Principles, and are proud to be one of the few providers to support the VPN Received Seal Trust. of consumers is at the heart of everything we do.”