But the question isn't whether the NSA can decrypt your messages. The debate is ongoing over whether government computing power is capable of - or has already successfully accomplished - decrypting the internet standard AES-256 (which is the common, minimum type of encryption you'd expect from a VPN). When functioning under normal circumstances, VPNs operate by creating an encrypted tunnel through which communications can be safely transported from sender to destination. (Yes, a federal judge just declared the bulk data collection unlawful - but that's closing the barn door after the cows have escaped.) Why? Because, as far as its government's relationship to technology is concerned, the US is a privacy-averse country, and your data may not be protected from federal eyes.įollowing the revelations laid bare by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2013, which detailed the existence of sweeping mass domestic surveillance - and the continued renewal of the authorizing Patriot and US Freedom acts - it's simply no longer reasonable to expect competitive privacy standards from any VPN headquartered in the States while also expecting its compliance with the law of the land. If I find that a VPN is headquartered in the US or any of those member nations, even if its technology is on par with its non-US peers, I cannot in good conscience say it offers its users globally competitive privacy. When evaluating its overall capacity to protect user privacy - before I even check into its technical specifications for encryption - I start by looking at whether a VPN service is headquartered outside of the US and the reach of its intelligence-sharing partner countries, like those comprising the Five, Nine or 14 Eyes compacts. One of my fundamental criteria for ranking a VPN provider is the jurisdiction of its parent and affiliate companies. But for those of us seeking out top-notch privacy protection, I've become as sure about importing VPNs as I am about the Champagne. Sure, there are plenty of homegrown US-based VPNs that offer inexpensive subscriptions with which you can game and stream media to your heart's content. It's not about snobbery it's about getting the best value for your dime, especially in the case of VPNs. Fast cars, Champagne and virtual private networks - some goods are best imported.
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