A Famous VPN (Virtual Private Network)service provider Hotspot Shield Accused of violating the user’s Privacy policy and performing Malicious Activities such as injecting the Malicious Ads and JavaScript into users Browsers.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)Services Provides a privacy, security to Access the Blocked Content and maintain the user’s Privacy on the Internet and ensure the user’s activities anonymous, private and secure.
The Investigation made by The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), a digital rights advocacy group, Hotspot Shield was Played unclear Data sharing and Redirection of their customer data and their Privacy information.
A Compliant Register by Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) that, Hotspot Shield Free Virtual Private Network (VPN) services failed to Maintain their Promise with their Customer Privacy secure, private, and anonymous internet Access.
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Hotspot Shield VPN Privacy Policy
According to Hotspot Shield Privacy Policy, when a user accesses their VPN services they may use to record certain information such as cookies, IP Address, unique device ID and application information that installed on the device.
But they do not collect any information about the stored logs associated with the concern IP Address including the online Activities, Email ID, Mobile number, credit card information.
Also Claimed that Automatically collected information for generating “Hash” or “Virtual” IP Address.
The investigation reported that Hotspot Shield’s description for its iOS and Android mobile applications declares a “no logs” policy; however, its Privacy Policy,which covers and includes its Hotspot Shield 13 services, describes more elaborate logging practices.
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Failed to Maintain Their Promises
Privacy Policy clear that, Hotspot Shield Doesn’t Consider IP addresses unique device identifiers to be personal information.
According to Hotspot Shield, Any browsing information or other similar information relating to your online activities transmitted by you to our servers when using Hotspot Shield is cleared after your VPN ‘session’ is closed.
But it’s unclear that what extend records of browsing habits and other usage logs are attached to virtual, proxy IP addresses or other unique identifiers.
Investigation Compliant claimed the service forces ads and JavaScript code into people’s browsers when connected through Hotspot Shield: “The VPN has been found to be actively injecting JavaScript codes using iframes for advertising and tracking purposes.”
“Hotspot Shield tells customers that their privacy and security are ‘guaranteed’ but their actual practices starkly contradict this,” said Michelle De Mooy, Director of CDT’s Privacy & Data Project, in a statement. “They are sharing sensitive information with third party advertisers and exposing users’ data to leaks or outside attacks.”
Further analysis of Hotspot Shield’s reverse-engineered source code revealed that the VPN uses more than five different third-party tracking libraries, contradicting statements that Hotspot Shield ensures anonymous and private web browsing.
As Per the Legal Analysis Hotspot Shield VPN’s Claims About Privacy and Security Are Deceptive Trade Practices.
According to Investigation Report A company’s “representation, omission, or practice” is considered deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act if it is likely to mislead a consumer acting reasonably under the circumstances and is likely to affect a consumer’s conduct or decision regarding a product or service.
