Israeli firm buys Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN raising privacy concerns

Private Internet Access VPN users don’t look happy with the development…

Private Internet Access VPN users don’t look happy with the development.

A couple of weeks ago, one of the industry’s most famous VPN providers, Private Internet Access (PIA) was acquired by Kape Technologies, an Israeli based firm as a result of its parent company, LTMI Holdings agreeing to a merger.

Reportedly, $95 million was paid as a part of the deal and this happens to be the third one on the part of Kape who has also acquired CyberGhost and ZenMate in the past.

Moreover, it is reported that PIA’s debts of $32.1 million will also be paid off through this acquisition allowing them to progress further in terms of product development and innovation.

On the other hand, it helps Kape further solidify its position in the VPN industry removing another competitor from the picture. However, this update isn’t all roses for either side seeing the reaction of their customers.

Israeli company buys Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN raising privacy concerns
Screenshot from a Reddit post.

Users took to different forums expressing their disappointment and how they were “ready to jump ship.” The reason? Kape happens to have a not-so-bright past shedding doubt on the ability of PIA to protect the privacy of its customers under their control.

To further elaborate, Kape Technologies was originally found under the name of Crossrider in 2011 developing advertising apps until they changed their name in 2018. However, their software was treated as malware by companies such as Malwarebytes and Symantec begging one to ask, how can such a company despite rebranding itself change the shoddy culture that it had?

Israeli company buys Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN raising privacy concerns
The screenshot shows Malwarebyte’s security program detecting Crossrider’s software as malware.

But the connections don’t end there. The very first CEO of Crossrider, Koby Menachemi, happened to be once a part of Unit 8200 which is an Israeli Intelligence Unit in their military and has also been dubbed as “Israel’s NSA “. Teddy Sagi, one of the company’s investors was mentioned in the Panama Papers which were leaked in 2016.

To analyze the scope of this entire reaction, it is important to know that PIA isn’t any common VPN company that it is being questioned over the potential implications this brings. In fact, they have been known to even successfully thrive under court pressure and not compromise on user security but despite this, it seems as if all user trust vanished in a night.

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14 comments
  1. Silly. 8200 takes the best and the brightest, and after they finish their military service they unit’s graduates go on the market to Intel, Google, Microsoft, or to develop start ups. If their military background troubles you, ditch your phone and unplug your computer immediately.

  2. I’ve been a loyal customer for more than 5 years… I joined PIA because they were trusted by so many. Hearing this acquisition of them by an outfit that has already a dodgy history, makes it time to say goodbye. RIP PIA!

  3. It’s more expensive, but off to Express VPN I go.

    You guys are incredible. What a sell out. Hope you’re all happy with your millions, but I’m letting my account expire in April and switching to Express VPN.

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