- VPN companies must now re-accredit each year to earn the VTI Trust Seal badge
- The badge is a guarantee that suppliers offer safe and ethical products
- The measure aims to help users make more conscious decisions.
Choosing the best VPN can be a little easier for users concerned about privacy. The VPN Trust Initiative (VTI) has revealed that its Trust Seal program will now require annual re-accreditation, ensuring that providers not only achieve 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 marketplace. With the expansion of its VPN Trust Seal program, VTI aims to separate reputable providers from the scam, giving users a clear indicator of which services truly prioritize their digital security.
According to the VTI, the change to an annual model is essential because the digital landscape is advancing too quickly for static awards. “‘Walking the walk’ is a marathon and not a sprint, especially as technology and legislation continue to evolve,” an i2Coalition spokesperson said. “Now the industry and the public will know that companies that display the VTI Trust Seal make an ongoing commitment to the VTI Principles.”
Raising 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. That is the gap that the IFP wants to close.
As the organization says, “not all VPNs are created equal” and without shared reference points, users can’t know which ones to trust. Instead of treating certification as a one-time badge, VTI now makes it an ongoing commitment, requiring providers to maintain strict criteria across five pillars: security, privacy, transparency, advertising ethics and social responsibility.
These principles cover everything from banning the storage of passwords in plain text and limiting data collection, to publishing annual transparency reports and promising honesty in marketing. Perhaps most importantly, the VTI insists that its members never promise “complete anonymity,” a claim it considers misleading.
The goal is simple: make VPNs more secure and accountable while helping users understand what true trust looks like online.
This move builds on momentum from the initiative, which previously saw major VPN brands join the security initiative to align with industry best practices. In fact, VTI members include some of the biggest names in the industry, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and IPVanish.
Why this is important for your privacy
In a world where digital surveillance and online threats are increasing worldwide, the role of a VPN has gone from a niche technological tool to a daily necessity for millions.
The VTI maintains that because this technology “protects millions of Internet users daily”, the regulations that govern it must be rigorous.
The i2Coalition, which manages VTI, has a history of fighting over Internet infrastructure. Formed in 2011 during the battle against SOPA and PIPA laws in the United States, 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 the VTI puts it: “When you see the Trust Seal on a supplier’s website, you can trust that they meet these high standards and are committed to maintaining them over the long term.”
As the program rolls out its new annual requirements, users can expect to see more providers earning the VPN Trust Seal to back up their claims, further solidifying trust between service and subscriber.
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