[image] ID Verification - A Major Threat to Privacy | This Week in Privacy #12 (Aug. 1, 2025) Apart from using a reputable and a trusted VPN Off-topic but why are we still trusting VPNs (and MPRs) at all?

Don’t trust, verify. But yes I’d say that using a good VPN (such as Mullvad or Proton) is better than none. And of course there is always TOR which I admittedly don’t use on a regular basis, but it’s always an option. You can even use VPN + TOR.

What’s making you ask that question in a way that that implies that you believe VPNs are useless?

I trust Mullvad with my browsing activity a heck of a lot more than I trust any american ISP with it

[image] lumino: I’d say that using a good VPN (such as Mullvad or Proton) A VPN that has an affiliate program and requires a username and possibly email is not a good VPN. [image] ID Verification - A Major Threat to Privacy | This Week in Privacy #12 (Aug. 1, 2025) What’s making you ask t…

[image] anon11657877: Because they are useless most of the time An IP address is another vector for sites to fingerprint you, so you can avoid being correlated to your real identity, your “ID” VPNs can also get around geolocation restrictions, so you can get around ID verification. Some of …

Its not about trusting the VPN its about trusting the VPN over the alternative. Typically a reputable VPN such as Proton is going to be a better bet then an ISP.

[image] anonymous372: VPNs can also get around geolocation restrictions, so you can get around ID verification. Not if sites block VPNs or implement age verification worldwide. [image] anonymous372: Mullvad has none of that I was talking about Proton.

If you’re not paying for the VPN, you shouldn’t trust it. Even if you are, what you’re doing is adding a layer of obfuscation. A VPN has an IP tied to you, but other than that, as long as you’re using https, all it has is your domain visit anyway. But, changing your IP frequently is the key purpos…

[image] SwampTrainer: But, changing your IP frequently is the key purpose of the VPN. Use one location for all your usual, boring stuff with your name attached. Everything else, cycle through 4 or 5 other locations with browsers that resist fingerprinting. If you’re gonna do that then filter …

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hydrogenperoxide July 30, 2025, 6:10pm 8

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ID Verification - A Major Threat to Privacy | This Week in Privacy #12 (Aug. 1, 2025)

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