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Tensions between anonymity and safety online are nothing new but they are now getting legislative traction.

I spoke with some of thebest VPNproviders currently on the market to understand what’s at stake.

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Avirtual private network (VPN)is security software that both encrypts your internet connection and mask your real IP address to guarantee anonymity and reduce online tracking.

These issues are certainly sitting high on the political agenda of democracies.

Yet, according to Yegor Sak, CEO atWindscribe, getting rid of anonymity is not a solution.

“Anonymity is important for free speech and, without free speech, there is no democracy.”

VPN encrypting a flow of data

Avirtual private network (VPN)is security software that both encrypts your internet connection and mask your real IP address to guarantee anonymity and reduce online tracking.

Do you want to live in a country like this?

I sure do not, which is why my parents moved from a place like that."

Large organizations have the means to allocate significant funds to surveillance if they wish to do so.

Likewise, governments could use “near-limitless resources” to track down dissenters.

Removing this protection, Warmenhoven explained, could lead to reduced participation and engagement online.

Despite the risk, experts also recognize the value of having well-implemented ID verification systems.

What’s next?

Such numbers are a clear message people seek to take agency back over their digital lives.

These could even end up, she explains, in widespread restrictions on privacy tools.

Besides the ethical and security risks, tech experts have also been skeptical about the effectiveness of anonymity-killer regulations.

Likewise,breaking encryptionfrom everyone will simply push criminals towards non-legitimate messaging apps instead.