# PSA: VPNs can and probably do compromise your privacy

**URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/psa-vpns-can-and-probably-do-compromise-your-privacy/30892
**Category:** General
**Created:** 2025-09-09T00:58:47Z
**Posts:** 31
**Showing post:** 3 of 31

## Post 3 by @rlogin — 2025-09-09T01:54:49Z

I think you’ll enjoy this article:

> **[How Data Brokers Sell Access to the Backbone of the Internet](https://www.vice.com/en/article/data-brokers-netflow-data-team-cymru/)**
>
> ISPs are quietly distributing "netflow" data that can, among other things, trace traffic through VPNs.

The good news is that, end-to-end correlation (using netflow and whatnot) is a well known attack on anonymization networks, and it’s been studied for a long time. Mixnets can provide protection against such adversaries, so anonymity is not lost as you say. However, enhanced anonymity comes at the cost of increased latency and reduced bandwidth. For more information, you can explore the Nym ( @nym-product ) thread: [Nym and NymVPN - Next-gen privacy with mixnet and VPN service](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/nym-and-nymvpn-next-gen-privacy-with-mixnet-and-vpn-service/25072)

Also, I disagree with your suggestion that you’re better off not using a VPN. Using a popular VPN can help blend your traffic with that of other users, providing some level of privacy. If your VPN supports multi-hop connections or cover traffic, it can offer even stronger protection for casual browsing. But if your primary goal is anonymity rather than privacy, a VPN won’t give you that.

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