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No-log VPNs promise to keep your internet usage private. The rationale is that if logs aren’t stored in the first place, your data can’t be handed over to others. The only issue is, how can you trust the claims?
It took me a while to come around, but there are a few reasons why I believe the claims of no-log VPN providers.
Third-Party Audits Keep No-Log VPNs Honest
It often feels like whetheryou can trust a VPN‘s no-log claimsboils down to taking them at their word. Sure, the privacy policy says logs aren’t stored, but how do you know that’s 100% true?
Reputable VPN services anticipate this skepticism and pay for independent audits to back up their claims. These audits are conducted by third parties who’ve been hired to investigate the VPN. The primary goal is to ensure that no one can trace your online activity—not even the VPN provider itself.
During an audit, technicians test the VPN to verify whether the server configuration matches with what’s stated in the VPN’s policies. A typical audit might check whether the following data is collected:
I find these audits to be credible because the companies hired have established reputations in security, legal, and financial industries. For example, the most recent audit ofNordVPN’s zero-logging policy was carried out by Deloitte, a Big Four accounting firm.
In addition to thefeatures I always check before signing up for a VPN, conducting regular independent audits is at the top of my list.
Infrastructure Technology Enforces No-Log Policies
Another way a no-log VPN can earn my trust is by having its infrastructure designed to prevent logging.
One of the largestVPN myths we’ve bustedis that you’re always 100% anonymous using a VPN. But a privacy-focused VPN can be set up in a way that makes tracking much more difficult:
Services likeExpressVPNsay they can’t keep logs because they use RAM-only servers and don’t store any data on hard drives. When power is lost—for example, when a server reboots—the data held on a RAM-only server is completely lost. It’s not a manual operation that depends on human intervention; it happens automatically due to the volatile nature of RAM itself.
Enforcing a policy with technology makes me inclined to believe no-logging claims.
No-Log VPNs Have a Financial Incentive to Be Transparent
There are manyreasons you should use a VPN, but if you’re specifically looking for a no-log VPN, then you absolutely don’t wantVPNs to store your personal information. A reputable VPN provider that’s earned your business with its zero-logging policy has a financial incentive to be transparent.
In fact, its entire business model might be based on its reputation for privacy. If word gets out that a VPN provider has failed to maintain these promises, its core business would be ruined. It’s especially difficult to recover from such a blow when competition in the VPN market has never been so intense.
I like that companies likeSurfsharkprovide awarrant canaryto protect their reputation. It reassures me that they care about letting customers know whether they’ve been compelled to hand over user data in the past.
Lastly, there’s a more obvious financial incentive to not store logs. As anyone who’s ever administered a network system or run a business can attest, it’s simply less work to skip record-keeping when it’s not required. There’s less legal liability, too, which we’ll go into next.
No-Log VPNS Have Been Battle-Tested
Privacy policies, third-party audits, and technological precautions are great for building trust, but what better evidence is there than a real-world stress test?
VPN providers have proven their no-log claims on multiple occasions. For example:
It also helps when VPN providers operate out of jurisdictions with strong consumer privacy laws. In countries such as Switzerland or Panama, VPN providers cannot be easily forced to rat on their customers.
