From security audits and new product features, to the introduction of advanced security protocols, the VPN industry is constantly changing. At the same time, people’s privacy is being threatened by new laws and the development of intrusive surveillance technologies.
With so much going on, it’s hard to keep track of all the details. This live blog is dedicated to following the most important stories from the world of VPN, digital privacy, and cybersecurity so you can stay updated and secure.
Got some news you think we should cover? Get in touch with Sam Woodhams here.
The biggest VPN stories from last week
- Ofcom told TechRadar that it’s monitoring people’s VPN use in the UK following the Online Safety Act
- Mandatory age checks were introduced in Italy, although full implementation isn’t expected until February 2026
- Global digital rights declined for the 15th consecutive year, according to the annual Freedom on the Net report
Today’s best Black Friday VPN deals
The 2025 Black Friday season has started early for the VPN industry, with leading providers already advertising their best prices of the year. NordVPN is now available for $2.99 a month with 3 months extra, Surfshark is down to $1.99 a month and Proton is in between at $2.49.
We’ll update this page with details of all the best VPN Black Friday deals as they come in or check out our full report on Black Friday VPN deals here.
Hi, it’s Sam.
To kick things off this week, I thought I’d share a couple of news stories you might have missed from last week.
First up, Surfshark announced a new deal with Bristol City FC. The company will become the football club’s Official VPN partner. It follows the likes of NordVPN who have a partnership with Tottenham Hotspur and ExpressVPN who recently partnered with NBA team, Brooklyn Nets.
Also, check out this new video from Mullvad VPN. Called ‘And Then?’ it details the company’s opposition to the EU’s Chat Control proposal. Check out Chiara’s report on where the legislation is currently at here.
X to flag VPN use, warning location ‘may not be accurate’
X plans to publicly display more information about users in a bid to fight online trolls, and the change has significant implications for VPN users. According to reports, a label warning that someone’s location “may not be accurate” will be introduced on people’s accounts if they are using a VPN.
The announcement has been met with strong criticism from security researchers and privacy experts alike. The Director of Research at NetBlocks, for example, warned that the information could be used against journalists or activists. However Proton VPN told TechRadar that users’ locations may be derived from their app-store region rather than their IP address.
We are awaiting further comment from X to clarify the specific technical implementation.
Read the full story here
Windscribe updates infrastructure
After more than a year of careful deployment and testing, last week Windscribe completed one of the most significant infrastructure projects in its history. The company’s next-generation server stack, codenamed “FreshScribe,” is now officially powering its entire network.
FreshScribe is a kernel-based system that replaces the previous Boringtun version, fundamentally changing how the service handle WireGuard connections. The upgrade promises to eliminate connection jitter, boost speeds, and pave the way for a raft of powerful new features.
Read the full story here
(Unrelatedly) Windscribe appears to suffer from Cloudflare outage
It appears Windscribe VPN may be another victim of the Cloudflare outage that’s been affecting hundreds of services worldwide. The company’s website is inaccessible at the moment and the app can’t establish a connection on my mobile.
TechRadar has a live blog covering the Cloudflare outage here
Windscribe back online
That didn’t take long! Windscribe’s website and core services are now fully operational once again. Cloudflare has also stated that a fix has been implemented and the issue is now resolved so expect any other impacted services to restore function soon.
UK Home Affairs Committee holding talks on digital ID
The UK Home Affairs Committee is currently taking evidence on potential new forms of digital ID. This important session provides an opportunity to hear current concerns and potential benefits surrounding government-issued digital ID.
The Committee will hear from experts on issues of privacy and security risk, including the potential for mass data breaches and the erosion of civil liberties.
The session follows closely on the heels of Apple’s recent announcement of its new Digital ID feature, which allows users to store passport data in Wallet. Although the company promises convenience, it has been met with concerns from privacy experts worldwide.
Watch the Home Affairs Committee session here
Read our full story on Apple ID here.
