In recent years, more and more high school students in America are finding ways to bypass their schools’ internet restrictions using apps like VPNs (virtual private networks). These apps allow them to access blocked websites and apps, but they come with significant risks. Many free VPNs collect sensitive personal information, such as location and browsing history, which can then be sold to data brokers. Some of these companies have ties to China, where the Chinese Communist Party has the authority to access this data, raising concerns about privacy and national security.
A recent case highlighted the dangers of using free VPNs, as a Chinese national was indicted for using them to gain access to millions of IP addresses, including hundreds of thousands in the United States. These IPs were then rented out to criminals for various illicit activities, such as stalking, fraud, and child exploitation. Reset Tech, a tech research company, has found that China-linked VPN companies are popular among school-aged children, who use them to bypass school Wi-Fi restrictions and access blocked content like games and social media.
Popular VPN apps like VPN – Super Unlimited Proxy and Turbo VPN, which have millions of users worldwide, have been found to collect and sell users’ personal information, including their approximate location, network activity, and IP address. These companies have targeted teenagers in their advertising, promoting their apps as a way to bypass school internet restrictions and access restricted content. Concerns have been raised by lawmakers and privacy advocates about the risks associated with foreign VPN companies collecting Americans’ data, especially when the data is being sent to countries like China and Russia.
Senators and cybersecurity experts have expressed concerns about the national security risks posed by foreign VPNs, especially when used by U.S. government employees and servicemembers. The threat of data breaches and the potential exploitation of personal information by foreign actors has led to calls for stricter regulations on VPN companies. While VPNs are heavily restricted in China, they have become popular tools for evading government censorship in countries around the world. However, the use of VPNs also opens users up to potential privacy risks and data breaches, as seen in recent incidents involving Singapore-based VPNs with ties to China.
Despite the concerns raised about foreign VPN companies, some critics argue that the privacy threats posed by these apps are not significantly different from those posed by popular social media services and apps. Girard Kelly, a privacy expert, believes that while the Chinese government may have access to minors’ information through VPNs, similar data collection practices are already in place by many Western apps. With growing concerns about data privacy and security, lawmakers and advocates continue to push for regulations and protections to safeguard users’ personal information and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
