Secret state? Surge in private VPN requests from journalists
By Anna Paul
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Secret state? Surge in private VPN requests from journalists
Requests for virtual private networks (VPNs) increased ten-fold between 2019 and 2020, according to data collated by NordVPN. Many of the requests came from journalists working in repressive regimes.
Secret state? Surge in private VPN requests from journalists SPECIAL
LISTEN | PRINT
BY TIM SANDLE JAN 5, 2021 IN TECHNOLOGY
Requests for virtual private networks (VPNs) increased ten-fold between 2019 and 2020, according to data collated by NordVPN. Many of the requests came from journalists working in repressive regimes.
NordVPN reports that most of the requests came from Hong Kong, although the company also received requests from Iran, Kashmere, Burma, and other countries with strict Internet censorship and heavy surveillance. Journalists in Hong Kong have frequently reported that censorship in the news media. This is especially common where owners or management exert editorial pressure.
A virtual private network works to encrypt the user’s Internet traffic and changes their IP address. This enables the user to communicate privately and change their apparent location. Using a VPN enables an individual to access blocked news websites, social media platforms, or apps.
Hence for activists and journalists facing extensive online censorship, targeted surveillance, or the threat of violence, one of the options is to request an emergency VPN service immediately to protect privacy. By using a VPN, this enables the user to securely bypass online restrictions and keep their communications away from prying eyes.
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