Source: The Guardian
Summary
A popular VPN service, used by hackers for cyberattacks, has been compromised by Europol. The law enforcement agency claims to have identified the service’s users, contradicting the VPN’s promise of complete anonymity.
Our Reading
The launch follows a familiar script.
A VPN promises anonymity, hackers take the bait, and law enforcement finds a way to track them down. This VPN’s “complete anonymity” claim sounds like another case of “trust us, we’ve got this.” Europol’s ability to notify users that they’ve been identified is just another reminder that anonymity is hard to come by. The VPN’s promise of secrecy has been compromised, and users are left wondering what else they’ve been misled about. This isn’t the first time a VPN has overpromised and underdelivered.
The VPN’s users are probably getting a notification that sounds something like: “You’re not as anonymous as you thought.”
Author: Evan Null
