Whereas the U.S. authorities is busy considering a ban on TikTok, one other standard app has flown underneath the radar. Turbo VPN has been downloaded over 100 million instances — and has had a number of Chinese language nationals as administrators.
Digital Non-public Networks are used to browse the web anonymously. They act as a layer of safety, disguising your location and stopping websites from monitoring you.
However a brand new report from the Washington Submit exhibits that some VPNs are primarily based in China or are managed by Chinese language nationals. Why does this matter? Underneath Chinese language legislation, tech corporations should flip over the information they accumulate to authorities authorities.
In the event you don’t know the place your VPN comes from, you’re not truly searching anonymously. Within the case of Turbo VPN, there’s no strategy to show who the actual homeowners are or the place they’re positioned. This lack of transparency is actually regarding.
By the way in which, in the event you want a VPN: ExpressVPN is a sponsor of my nationwide radio present and so they’re headquartered proper right here within the U.S. Use my hyperlink, ExpressVPN.com/Kim, to get three further months at no cost.
Extra than simply VPNs
One other Chinese language-owned app, Lemon8, has risen to the highest 10 most downloaded right here within the U.S. This app is a lookalike of TikTok and … shock! It’s owned by ByteDance, the identical firm that owns TikTok.
Right here’s the darkish facet behind the enjoyable challenges and cute dance movies on TikTok.
These apps are engaging — particularly to youngsters — nevertheless it’s necessary to think about the potential dangers. Social media clout simply isn’t price your safety.