Reminder: VPNs Can't Make You Anonymous Online

Arthur T Knackerbracket writes:

Total anonymity online is impossible, and it's dangerous to claim otherwise:

To be fair, not all VPN companies are pushing this false narrative -- CNET's picks for the best VPNs are all very clear about what their services can and can't do. But too many companies, including a few high-profile VPN providers, continue to keep the myth alive.

Even a VPN provider as established and well-known as CyberGhost continues to promote this dangerous falsehood. The company boldly states on its website that its service can help users go completely anonymous and surf the internet without privacy worries," and that they can enjoy complete anonymity & protection online" with CyberGhost.

To be fair, CyberGhost does mention in an FAQ section tucked away at the bottom of its home page that no VPN service can make you 100% anonymous online," but the messaging from the company is nonetheless confusing and avoidable.

This isn't just a case of harmless exaggerated marketing -- it's reckless. Using a VPN while under the impression that it's a silver bullet for online anonymity can put you in a bad spot, even if you have nothing to hide. If you use a social media platform to share sensitive information online with someone, or if you're an investigative journalist in a region whose government practices oppressive digital surveillance, you'll still be at risk, even with a VPN.

You can't simply throw good judgment and all other basic privacy principles out the window just because you think your VPN gives you an all-encompassing invisibility cloak on the internet whenever you switch it on. It's time to dial back the hyperbole and be clear about how a VPN can and can't protect you online, starting with why all this talk about data matters.

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