Senator Wyden urges NSA to issue detailed VPN usage guidance for Americans
Senator Ron Wyden has asked the National Security Agency to publish specific advice on how the public should choose and configure virtual private networks to protect against foreign spying.
In a letter sent Wednesday, Senator Ron Wyden urged the National Security Agency to revise its public advice on virtual private networks. He highlighted that while agencies have generally promoted VPN use, they have not identified which providers meet robust security standards. Wyden’s request to Director General Joshua M. Rudd seeks clarification on technical aspects, including whether single-hop VPNs expose user IP addresses and traffic to the exit server, and whether multi-hop designs offer better protection.
He also asks about the effectiveness of random delays and cryptographic padding to mask timing and size patterns. The senator specifically mentions services such as Apple Private Relay, Nym and Tor, asking the NSA to assess their adequacy. Wyden emphasizes that individuals facing sophisticated foreign threats—government staff, defense contractors, journalists and human-rights advocates—deserve precise, honest guidance to safeguard their communications.
Why it matters
Clear VPN guidance can help vulnerable groups protect their data from foreign intelligence agencies.
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