When it comes to the virtual private network (VPN) industry, protecting the privacy of consumers is of the utmost importance. This necessitates complete transparency when it comes to mergers or acquisitions. As a VPN user, you want to be informed about which entities have access to and control your data, and if your data will be shared with any other parties. In the aftermath of a merger or acquisition, this information is often unclear, leading to confusion for both current and new subscribers regarding who controls their data and what legal jurisdiction and regulations apply. For some users, particularly dissidents, journalists, or individuals trying to access the internet in countries with strict government censorship, this can have serious implications.
NetProtect
StrongVPN, formerly Black Oak Computers / Reliable Hosting / Overplay, is owned by Ziff Davis (formerly J2 Global) who owns NetProtect who operates IPVanish as well as StrongVPN. StrongVPN has not directly answered questions about logging, but they are able to match an IP address to a customer.
Kape Technologies
After being recently purchased by Kape Technologies, ExpressVPN is now owned by the same company that owns Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ZenMate VPNs. Soon after, a report was released about the company’s Chief Information Officer Daniel Gericke. It revealed him as one of the members of Project Raven, which is behind building cyber-espionage tools helping the UAE target human rights activists, journalists, and rival governments.
Kape Industries also owns the blog VPNMentor.com which is hilarious considering this screenshot of their website:
Nord Security (Tesonet)
Nord Security, which is owned by Lithuanian entrepreneur Tom Okman, operates as the parent company for multiple cybersecurity software, including NordVPN and Atlas VPN, as well as Surfshark. Tesonet, an IT business incubator based in Lithuania, played a role in the early development and growth of NordVPN and Surfshark. Both Nord Security and Tesonet share common management, however, Nord Security has always maintained independent operations from Tesonet.
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