Mullvad Just Got USA Servers.

Mullvad just got USA servers, say what?

I thought the whole point of NL/SE/DE servers is that they are good for privacy, how in the world are Mullvad gonna offer the same layer of security in a USA server. I was very surprised.

 

I'd say that this happened because a lot of people use VPN to access internet services that are not available outside US. And because of this, any VPN service needs "exit nodes" in the US.

 

Yeah, especially if you want to listen to Netflix outside of US. That's why I got myself StrongVPN service that's based in here. I honestly don't care if some Fat Brainless Idi*t (FBI) wants to watch Netflix with me or not.

 

Maybe so, but Mullvad is the one service I would always say is the most privacy focused. I don't know how its possible to offer privacy on USA servers.

 

Since you get to choose which country to connect through it really doesn't matter. I still don't like it though. The level of trust will certainly go down. I wonder if the U.S. servers will follow the no records rule.

 

They can't because all American servers have logging, due to the fact much data traveling through the USA gets filtered and stored now. It would also be prone to take downs and server raids, due to the fact the USA has very stringent copywriter laws and such. I think its a bad move, I find it even more strange that there is no mention of the USA servers on Mullvad news section.

 

Well people like us wouldn't use the USA servers. There are people using VPN's that aren't paranoid like we are... that want them for reasons mentioned above, to see media they can't in their own countries. And aren't worried about Big Brother watching them. Now they have their options too.

I won't be using them personally, but I see logic in why they added them.

 

Maybe so, but it seems against the very reason Mullvad exists, their whole thing is avoiding spying and monitoring by big government. Granted people can now watch Hulu, but Mullvad was never about commercialism? That's one of the reasons it was highly thought after in my books. Its strange to see them go that way. Anyone who does not care about privacy would go with a different company, Mullvad is pretty under advertised for obvious reasons, why add a service that is not looked for by people using their service?

 

You can read the AirVPN forum for info on how they handle US/UK servers, etc... I'm sure Mullvad is the same. There is no "logging" law (although those fantasies are trying to be imposed on ISP's...but still not sure it would apply to a VPN). RiseUp! is completely in the US and I'd trust them. Send an email and see what they say. I don't think it's as bad as some - don't use them if you don't want to.

PD

 

Hmmmm I wonder how they will deal with the privacy issues?

 

They have no guides on using the USA servers, or to my knowledge restrictions on BitTorrent and or downloading copy-write content. I really wonder what's up with that,

 

I was using Mullvad yesterday and was unpleasantly surprised to find myself on a USA server (I'm located in the USA). I changed the setting for country from "Any" to Sweden and then had a Swedish IP. It appears that Mullvad is defaulting to the nearest server now, unless you specify. Still nothing on their site about the new countries and privacy implications, which is strange because their last news posting was 3-21.

 

I am not sure if that's true. I live in the EU, and on the "any" setting it defaulted me to the USA server yesterday. It is really weird though how they have a news update on a mundane obfsproxy implementation, and yet no acknowledgement of the USA servers still.

 

Strange, maybe "Any" connects you to the least used servers. They appear to have added a German server node also, I didn't try it but it is on the list. I seem to recall that Germany has pretty stringent logging requirements. As long as I can choose Sweden I am OK with Mullvad, unless some negative implications of the new server locations comes to light.

 

Germany has been a Mullvad node for quite a while now. I feel much happier using a German node then an USA node any-day. It is a shame though that they only have NL/SE servers which are privacy focused. It would be nice to see some Lux/Fra servers which have the same level of care the NL and SE servers do, rather then USA ones.

 

not a fan of germany nor usa nor anything other than sweden , the reason why ive chosen mullvad in the first place for it being a vpn specialized in swedish servers , but whatever floats your boat i guess , not for me thou

 

Has anyone sent an email? I have emailed Mr. Berntsson in the past, and he's gotten back to me quickly. Ask him what the dealio is.

PD

 

Not yet, you can try to email him if you want. I'm in contact with the other developer on a different issue but he appears busy.

 

Any news on this?

Looks like it's time to find a new VPN provider. It also seems like the US server got main priority now. I've been connected to it several times when "any" country is selected.

 

The main website was always located in the USA, somewhere in Texas. So if the USA decides to use the patriot act they could already snoop on the VPN (in theory). Now the host seems to have moved to Zurich but right now it seems down.

 

I have been running into issues with Mullvad - Using the US server - But they just disapeared from my settings altogether - leaving only Germany/Sweden/NL...
I liked the US server because it provided a legal barrier: Traffic from the US was (theoretically) not subject to snooping however any international communication ( ex: NL to US) can and will be monitored.

Anyone's take on if / when the server will pop back? Did they move out of the country?

 

This very important idea for users in US.
If user in US sending/receiving traffic to/from Europe servers, guarantee some risk data maybe legally monitored by US & UK. http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jun/21/gchq-cables-secret-world-communications-nsa

That was theory.
But since VPN use encryption, even if user connect from IP locate in US and VPN server is also in US, because of the encryption no guarantee of protection from legal monitoring.

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/2...e-terrorist-so-itll-hang-onto-your-data.shtml
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/20/fisa-court-nsa-without-warrant

 

Sweden might not be the safe haven you think it is. https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130909/14393024457/swedens-version-nsa-almost-indistinguishable-original.shtml

 

Christ almighty may as well stay disconnected but then id have to face the online world.

 

It's really disheartening, isn't it? I just moved my mail service to Countermail because I didn't want my email residing on a U.S. server any longer. That may have been a waste of time and money.