The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) launched the VPN Trust Initiative (VTI) in 2020 to establish a baseline for how virtual private network (VPN) providers should operate. The goal is to help avoid oversights, misunderstandings, or vague legislation that could invite abuses of power and short-sighted legislation of helpful technology.
As a result of collaborative efforts, the VTI Principles serve as a comprehensive set of best practices for VPN providers that bolster consumer confidence and provider accountability, promoting wider VPN adoption and access to the technology’s benefits.
Today VTI is announcing the launch of the VPN Trust Seal accreditation program, which provides a clear public indicator that a participating VPN provider follows established best practices for delivering service in the following five areas:
- Security: VPNs will use the necessary security measures, including strong encryption and authentication protocols, to appropriately address the risks.
- Advertising Practices: Given the complexity and different use cases for VPNs, claims must not mislead.
- Privacy: VPNs should keep as little data as they deem necessary to provide the service and only produce data to law enforcement when legally required.
- Disclosure and Transparency: To foster trust, member companies must take steps toward informing users and the public about their actions and procedures.
- Social Responsibility: VPN providers will promote VPN technology to support access to the global Internet and freedom of expression.
Principles guiding VPN Trust Seal accreditation are informed by input from businesses, legislators, free speech advocates, and other outside experts to protect the privacy and security of VPN users; offer practical policy guidelines for VPN providers; and ensure policymakers, regulators, and the wider market have access to clear criteria for evaluating these technologies.
The inaugural group of VPN providers that have earned accreditation includes Certida, FastVPN, IvacyVPN, NordVPN, PureVPN, Surfshark, Texas.net, IPVanish, StrongVPN, eVenture Ltd, and ExpressVPN.
“Now when VPN customers try to determine which providers align with their ethics, they can look for the VPN Trust Seal and gain some assurances about the commitments behind the products they are looking to purchase,” said Christian Dawson, Co-Founder & Executive Director, i2Coalition.
For more detailed information on each of these principles and how to get the VPN Trust Seal, please visit the VTI website.
