Mullvad VPN Axes Recurring Subscriptions In the Name of Privacy (techradar.com) 11
Mullvad has taken the decision to completely remove the ability to create new subscriptions -- all in the name of storing less data about their users. TechRadar reports: "Subscriptions clearly offer a lot of convenience but as we've seen that convenience comes at a cost and we no longer think this is an acceptable trade-off. We care deeply about usability but when it comes down to it, privacy has to win," wrote the provider in a blog post.
This move is a step forward in Mullvad's commitment to its users' privacy. It's actually one of the few services not to ask for any email address or other personal information to create an account. However, when it came to recurring subscription, the provider was forced to retain record of payments in order to provide refunds, charge the user again after their initial period of cover or recover a missing account. Therefore, one-time payments appear to be the only solution.
"We are constantly looking for ways to reduce the amount of data we store while still providing a usable service. Nowhere is the tension between privacy and usability more apparent than in the area of payments." Mullvad's monthly fee has always been the same on every plan - around $5.50. This is very different than almost every other consumer VPN, but there's no need to stress about a price rise. What's more, those who currently have an active Mullvad subscription do not need to worry either. Their account will keep running as usual for at least six months, or until their subscription comes to the end of a term.
This move is a step forward in Mullvad's commitment to its users' privacy. It's actually one of the few services not to ask for any email address or other personal information to create an account. However, when it came to recurring subscription, the provider was forced to retain record of payments in order to provide refunds, charge the user again after their initial period of cover or recover a missing account. Therefore, one-time payments appear to be the only solution.
"We are constantly looking for ways to reduce the amount of data we store while still providing a usable service. Nowhere is the tension between privacy and usability more apparent than in the area of payments." Mullvad's monthly fee has always been the same on every plan - around $5.50. This is very different than almost every other consumer VPN, but there's no need to stress about a price rise. What's more, those who currently have an active Mullvad subscription do not need to worry either. Their account will keep running as usual for at least six months, or until their subscription comes to the end of a term.
Not a problem... (Score:2)
I have mullvad 60 euro at the beginning of the year and its active for a year so its not an issue. i do wish they had 5 year plans though. its also the only VPN service i trust. along with joker for domains and protonmail for emails i would not trust other services.
Re: (Score:2)
Same. They really take security seriously, and the service itself is reliable and fast.
Re: (Score:2)
The legal situation in Sweden doesn't have a mechanism to compel them. I suppose the government could secretly force them to somehow, but unless you are a very high value target they aren't going to admit to having that capability just to get you.
Not any port in a storm (Score:1)
Re:Not any port in a storm (Score:4, Informative)
If you don't care about your privacy there are plenty of other VPN services out there that don't care about the "Private" part in the name of the service they provide who will be happy to sell you a subscription and take down your info so they can hand it over to governments when they come with their legal demands.
Mullvad is for customers who actually care about privacy. If you want a six month subscription, just pay for six months upfront, you get the same thing without the risk to both you and the provider. This was an excellent move they just made, it's consistent with everything else they do.
Re: (Score:3)
I never understood why VPNs allowed this - it seems like the most obvious way to violate the whole "protect your privacy" thing by having a port that can be forwarded to you so if something is using that port, it's obviously you.
Most VPNs offer it as a convenience, saying it's a feature over other VPN services that don't.
Yet if you do something like Bittorrent, that's one of the easiest ways they can