Re:Don't Use VPN Services
by skissane on Friday May 26, 2023 @08:27PM
(#36090975)
> For Americans, that would probably increase your exposure
For criminal matters, possibly yes, depending on the circumstances.
For civil matters, arguably not. The US government can ask a foreign government to spy on you, but the results of the spying can't be admitted in a civil lawsuit. Whereas, an American ISP, the plaintiff can get a subpoena, the ISP has to comply, and the evidence is admissible in court. Also, with a civil lawsuit, even if it is possible for the plaintiff to get an order from a foreign court, the added difficulty and expense may make them decide to abandon the suit altogether.
> They can legally spy on their own people via foreign governments.
What if you used a Russian VPN company with a server in Russia? Of course, merely signing up for such a thing is likely to attract the attention of intelligence agencies. But, if the US government asks the Russian government to spy on you, I doubt the Russian government is going to say "yes", unless you are something like a terrorist.
For criminal matters, possibly yes, depending on the circumstances.
For civil matters, arguably not. The US government can ask a foreign government to spy on you, but the results of the spying can't be admitted in a civil lawsuit. Whereas, an American ISP, the plaintiff can get a subpoena, the ISP has to comply, and the evidence is admissible in court. Also, with a civil lawsuit, even if it is possible for the plaintiff to get an order from a foreign court, the added difficulty and expense may make them decide to abandon the suit altogether.
> They can legally spy on their own people via foreign governments.
What if you used a Russian VPN company with a server in Russia? Of course, merely signing up for such a thing is likely to attract the attention of intelligence agencies. But, if the US government asks the Russian government to spy on you, I doubt the Russian government is going to say "yes", unless you are something like a terrorist.