I recently tried a data eSIM from LNVPN because they claim to be no KYC. However, when I tried to connect a phone to the hotspot, it will not allow data to flow until I disable always on VPN and also per-connection MAC randomization. These were suggestions directly from LNVPN customer service, and it’s giving me a very weird vibe. They claim there is an issue with the device I’m trying to connect despite the fact it connects flawlessly to every other WiFi network. I cannot think of legitimate reasons why it would only work in this configuration, and it seems to me like they are either: a. Insisting on sending some traffic outside the VPN tunnel, or b. Trying to backdoor requiring additional device identifiers (despite being “No KYC"), or c. All of the above.
I guess my question is…
Are there legitimate reasons for a data provider to only work with these settings disabled when those settings universally work on every other WiFi network I’ve connected to? Or, are these issues red flags?
I give the provider a little bit of benefit of the doubt.
It appears to be some generic “advice”, to an extent these are legit for following reasons:
Some hotspot solutions do not mix well with VPN.
Per-connection Mac Randomization prevents auto-connect feature of hotspots (they most likely rely on MAC address to remember you (so they would know you and let you connect)
Some hotspot solutions also do not mix well with Private DNS features.
If I were you I would do a few more tests just to confirm the cause, and simply ask that company if they would do anything about it.
If they won’t and you don’t wanna compromise, you know what to do.
It appears the issue was the network was limiting UDP, so I was able to change some settings and get it working with no need to change the settings mentioned previously.
Is this service currently operational? I’ve tried their site in three different browsers and they have eSIMs advertised, but the buttons to view the plans are all broken. Pretty site, but seems kinda sus.