# Edward Snowden warns ExpressVPN users to ditch the service immediately
**URL:** https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863
**Category:** General Discussion
**Created:** [September 23, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863 "2021-09-23T15:32:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Gunner](https://www.twit.community/u/Gunner)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/1 "2021-09-23T15:32:44Z")
Very curious to see TWiT’s take on this (especially as an EVPN customer).
> **[Edward Snowden warns ExpressVPN users to ditch the service immediately](https://www.techradar.com/news/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately)**
>
> ExpressVPN doesn’t approve of the spying project, but stands by its employee
Text from the article added below:
_Former NSA whistleblower and privacy advocate Edward Snowden has warned users to stop using popular [VPN](https://www.techradar.com/vpn/best-vpn) service [ExpressVPN](https://www.techradar.com/reviews/expressvpn)._
_“If you’re an ExpressVPN customer, you shouldn’t be,” Snowden [posted](https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/1438291654239215619) on Twitter._
_Snowden’s suggestion was a quote tweet that shared news of ExpressVPN CIO Daniel Gericke’s role in [Project Raven](https://www.vice.com/en/article/3aq9a5/us-company-sold-zero-click-exploit-project-raven-uae), which involved the creation of spying tools for the UAE._
_Gericke is part of the three former US intelligence operatives that have been [charged by the US Department of Justice (DoJ)](https://www.techradar.com/news/expressvpn-executive-facing-fine-over-uae-spying-probe) for their role in the spying operation, and have agreed not to contest the charges and pay the imposed fine._
_## Privacy is paramount_
_In response to the development, ExpressVPN has [released a statement](https://xvtelink.com/blog/daniel-gericke-expressvpn/?a_fid=744&data1=trd-us-1424449125258683000) to shed light on Gericke’s [cybersecurity](https://www.techradar.com/best/best-online-cyber-security-courses) background and its decision to stick with its CIO._
_Gericke was hired by ExpressVPN in 2019, and while the company was aware of his background, it had no details about any “classified activities.”_
_“To be completely clear, as much as we value Daniel’s expertise and how it has helped us to protect customers, we do not condone Project Raven,” the company added._
_The DoJ has charged Gericke and two others for their alleged work as mercenary hackers for the UAE, helping the country create and use zero-click surveillance tools against vocal critics of the country’s human rights record._
_Instead of fighting the charges, the three defendants have agreed to cooperate with US authorities and pay the fine in exchange for deferred prosecution._
_ExpressVPN meanwhile has decided to standby its CIO, as it tries to allay the fears voiced by privacy advocates such as Snowden._
_“Since Daniel joined us, he has performed exactly the function that we hired him to do: He has consistently and continuously strengthened and reinforced the systems that allow us to deliver privacy and security to millions of people,” said ExpressVPN, sharing details of the technology that helps it protect the interest of its users against all kinds of threats._
_It’s been a busy couple of weeks for ExpressVPN, with Snowden’s warning following the DoJ resolution that came on the heels of [ExpressVPN’s acquisition](https://www.techradar.com/news/expressvpn-to-join-kape-in-largest-deal-ever-in-vpn-industry) by Kape Technologies in a deal valued close to $1 billion._
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### Author:  [@AaronK](https://www.twit.community/u/AaronK)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2021, 4:23pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/2 "2021-09-23T16:23:48Z")
Leo has mentioned that he is keeping an eye on this, especially as they are a sponsor.
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### Author:  [@Tiny](https://www.twit.community/u/Tiny)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2021, 9:37pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/3 "2021-09-23T21:37:18Z")
I don’t think they are an active sponsor any more.
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### Author:  [@knewman](https://www.twit.community/u/knewman)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2021, 1:14am UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/4 "2021-09-24T01:14:26Z")
> [@Gunner](#):
>
> have agreed not to contest the charges and pay the imposed fine
I wonder if the fine is more or less than what he was paid for the work?
The valuation of the company leaves me really unsettled; regardless of legal troubles of an employee I probably won’t go back to them.
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### Author:  [@big\_D](https://www.twit.community/u/big_D)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2021, 7:07am UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/5 "2021-09-24T07:07:01Z")
I’ve never used a VPN service, but ExpressVPN is certainly no longer at the top of the list, if I went looking for a provider (more for the reason of it being bought by an ex-advertising company that sneaked extra adverts into web pages).
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### Author:  [@Brickshy](https://www.twit.community/u/Brickshy)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2021, 4:50pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/6 "2021-09-24T16:50:21Z")
It seems to me even applying for a VPN would fun red flags up the pole.(Even this post might as well)
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### Author:  [@kimc](https://www.twit.community/u/kimc)
#### Post date: [October 6, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/7 "2021-10-06T20:13:47Z")
Same guys own Intego Mac Anti-Virus suite.
Kape is certainly gaining a footprint in the cyber security and privacy markets… One has to wonder though given the companies’ background and their hiring of a known hacker as their CIO, what level of ‘security’ they plan on offering.
And, who’s next on their buy list?
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### Author:  [@wrichards85](https://www.twit.community/u/wrichards85)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2021, 12:38pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/8 "2021-10-08T12:38:21Z")
> [@knewman](#):
>
> The valuation of the company leaves me really unsettled; regardless of legal troubles of an employee I probably won’t go back to them.
I used to subscribe to ExpressVPN but, now, wondering if there are any that we can trust. All the others I have tried are blocked by Netflix so I am prevent me from watching Netflix in other countries which is the main reason I used it.
One point I feel that I need to add is that, if we boycott every technology company who did things we don’t like, would there be any left? Not that it excuses them but it seems every company does shady things
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### Author:  [@big\_D](https://www.twit.community/u/big_D)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2021, 1:04pm UTC](https://www.twit.community/t/edward-snowden-warns-expressvpn-users-to-ditch-the-service-immediately/10863/9 "2021-10-08T13:04:11Z")
They own several other VPN services and they own most of the well known VPN review and rating sites…