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Western governments want your data and big tech is happy to provide.
This includes emails, files, messages and other highly personal data in an increase of 600%.
These requests cannot always be ignored and companies have to follow the laws of the land.
However, more needs to be done to protect our private data and not prioritizing profit over people.
Unlike thebest VPNs, these companies are not putting users first by adopting widespread end-to-end encryption or no-logs policies.
It alarmingly highlights the dangers posed by tech companies in the 21st century and the increasing overreach of governments.
But is there anything we can do to safeguard our data against ever growing threats?
it’s possible for you to protect up to 10 devices on one plan.
There’s also a free version, Proton VPN Free, which is a rock-solid free VPN option.
Meta’s data sharing increased by 675% the largest increase of the three companies.
Apple’s increased by 621% and Google has increased by 530%.
Germany’s requests numbered 175,000.
France and the UK were third and fourth, with approximately 60,000 and 52,000 respectively.
The remaining countries made a total of almost 93,000 requests between them.
EU governments requested data on an estimated 164,472 user accounts in the first half of 2024.
This is a 1,377% increase from the 11,133 accounts requested by governments in the second half of 2014.
Government overreach
Powerful governments can request data as and when they like.
Law enforcement agencies can use overly broad warrants to access sensitive data.
FISA data requests are often kept secret and are not included in the 3.16 million figure cited earlier.
From available data, since 2014 FISA requests to Meta have increased by 2,171%.
Where you go, who you speak to, what you read, what you buy.
“But thanks to the advent of surveillance capitalism, this is no longer necessary.
Can you protect yourself?
A VPN is a simple first step.
All VPNs that feature on our best VPN list adopt this policy.
Veteran providerPrivate Internet Access(PIA) has had its policies stand up to the test in court twice.
Ourbest VPN listhas all the information you need and there are various different price options.
Be aware of what you’re consenting to handing over and of your rights.
They scan their lists of known data brokers and send removal requests if records of your data are found.
Many VPNs, including Proton VPN, include a password manager in subscriptions.
How far will this go?
Western governments are doing it too.
There is a huge volume of data collected on us.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses.
For example: 1.
Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services.
Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
