US lawmakers ask FTC for VPN provider probe

U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., wrote to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission urging investigations and actions against virtual private network providers for potential deceptive data practices. The lawmakers called the VPN landscape "extremely opaque" while alleging providers "exploit, mislead, and take advantage of unwitting consumers." The urging to the FTC made particular note to increased use of VPNs in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade reversal, with women being "increasingly told that installing a VPN is an important step for protecting themselves when seeking information on abortion."