- VPN companies must now be re-accredited every year for the VTI Trust Seal mark
- The badge is a guarantee that providers offer safe and ethical products
- The move aims to help users make more informed choices
Choosing the best VPN might be getting a little easier for privacy-conscious users. The VPN Trust Initiative (VTI) has revealed that its Trust Seal program will now require annual re-accreditation, ensuring that providers not only reach a high security standard, but maintain it permanently.
VTI, an industry-led consortium organized by the Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition), launched the initiative in 2023 to help consumers navigate a crowded and often confusing market. With the expansion of their VPN Trust Seal program, VTI aims to separate reputable providers from the snake oil, giving users a clear indicator of which services truly prioritize their digital security.
According to VTI, the switch to an annual model is crucial because the digital landscape moves too quickly for static prices. “‘Walking the walk’ is a marathon and not a sprint, especially as technology and legislation continue to evolve,” said an i2Coalition spokesperson. “Now the industry and the public will know that companies displaying the VTI Trust Seal are committed to the VTI principles.”
Raises the bar for VPN transparency
For most users, the inner workings of virtual private networks (VPNs) are a mystery. Technical jargon like “military-grade encryption” or “no-logs policies” sound reassuring, but few can verify such claims. This is the gap that VTI wants to close.
As the organization puts it, “not all VPNs are created equal,” and without shared benchmarks, users can’t tell which ones to trust. Instead of treating certification as a one-time mark, VTI now makes it an ongoing commitment that requires providers to adhere to strict criteria across five pillars: security, privacy, transparency, advertising ethics and social responsibility.
These principles cover everything from banning the storage of plain text passwords and limiting data collection, to publishing annual transparency reports and promoting honesty in marketing. Perhaps most importantly, VTI insists that members never promise “complete anonymity,” a claim it calls misleading.
The goal is simple – to make VPNs both safer and more accountable, while helping users understand what real trust looks like online.
This move builds on the initiative’s momentum, which has previously seen top VPN brands join the security initiative to align with industry best practices. VTI members actually include some of the biggest names in the space, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and IPVanish.
Why this matters to your privacy
In a world where digital surveillance and online threats are on the rise worldwide, the role of a VPN has shifted from a niche technology tool to a daily necessity for millions.
VTI claims that because this technology “protects millions of internet users on a daily basis”, the standards for it must be strict.
The i2Coalition, which manages VTI, has a history of fighting for internet infrastructure. Formed in 2011 during the fight against SOPA and PIPA legislation in the US, the group works to ensure that the companies that build the Internet, from data centers to registrars, have a voice in public policy.
For consumers, the update of the Trust Seal means that seeing the badge is now a more current guarantee of quality. As VTI puts it: “When you see the Trust Seal on a provider’s website, you can trust that they meet these high standards and are committed long-term to maintaining them.”
As the program rolls out its new annual requirements, users can expect to see more providers get the VPN Trust Seal to back up their claims, further strengthening the trust between the service and the subscriber.
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