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An issue is that they're sold as a way to stop your ISP tracking what you're doing. But why would I trust a random company with this information over an ISP, w

An issue is that they're sold as a way to stop your ISP tracking what you're doing. But why would I trust a random company with this information over an ISP, who yes aren't always angels, but at least are somewhat accountable.

moffkalast 2y ago
Furthermore, they use their VPN clients as proxies and sell access to their network to scrapers and botnetters. Usually the rule of thumb is that if you're not paying, you're the product, but in this case they manage to double dip. That's where the real funding comes from. https://oxylabs.io https://oxylabs.io
- perplexa 2y ago
  If they claim to be operating an ethical service one more time I might start to believe it.
Ekaros 2y ago
It is really question do you trust your ISP or do you trust your VPN provider? And if you are doing something your state might have interest in. Well VPN options might also be questionable. Either in some adjacent state, or other ways scrupulous...
- SV_BubbleTime 2y ago
  My ISP is Comcast and my VPN is Mullvlad. Guess.
  - sss111 2y ago
    Mullvad and it's not even close haha
gruez 2y ago
>But why would I trust a random company with this information over an ISP, who yes aren't always angels, but at least are somewhat accountable. ISPs often have captive markets and have enough political sway to grant them said captive markets. VPN companies have none of that, and live or die based on their reputation, so they arguably have more of an incentive to behave well. Meanwhile some ISPs have even admitted to selling your traffic for marketing purposes or are forced by the government to keep records. There's plenty of shady VPN companies out there, and not all ISPs are scummy and sell your info, but there's quite a bit of range between the scummiest ISP and the best VPN, and for a subset of people using VPNs definitely makes sense.
deno 2y ago
1) You can choose where in the world your traffic exits. 2) You can switch your VPN provider or even use/stack multiple and it’s easier than changing ISPs which encourages innovation. 3) ISPs and VPNs are regulated differently. In many if not most countries ISPs have to log and store certain PII.
eipi10_hn 2y ago
My ISP is from communist country and my VPN is Mullvad. Guess.

moffkalast 2y ago

Furthermore, they use their VPN clients as proxies and sell access to their network to scrapers and botnetters. Usually the rule of thumb is that if you're not paying, you're the product, but in this case they manage to double dip. That's where the real funding comes from. https://oxylabs.io https://oxylabs.io

perplexa 2y ago
If they claim to be operating an ethical service one more time I might start to believe it.

Ekaros 2y ago

It is really question do you trust your ISP or do you trust your VPN provider? And if you are doing something your state might have interest in. Well VPN options might also be questionable. Either in some adjacent state, or other ways scrupulous...

SV_BubbleTime 2y ago
My ISP is Comcast and my VPN is Mullvlad. Guess.
- sss111 2y ago
  Mullvad and it's not even close haha

gruez 2y ago

>But why would I trust a random company with this information over an ISP, who yes aren't always angels, but at least are somewhat accountable. ISPs often have captive markets and have enough political sway to grant them said captive markets. VPN companies have none of that, and live or die based on their reputation, so they arguably have more of an incentive to behave well. Meanwhile some ISPs have even admitted to selling your traffic for marketing purposes or are forced by the government to keep records. There's plenty of shady VPN companies out there, and not all ISPs are scummy and sell your info, but there's quite a bit of range between the scummiest ISP and the best VPN, and for a subset of people using VPNs definitely makes sense.

deno 2y ago

1) You can choose where in the world your traffic exits. 2) You can switch your VPN provider or even use/stack multiple and it’s easier than changing ISPs which encourages innovation. 3) ISPs and VPNs are regulated differently. In many if not most countries ISPs have to log and store certain PII.

eipi10_hn 2y ago

My ISP is from communist country and my VPN is Mullvad. Guess.