SA users: do free VPNs steal your data?

💡 Why people ask “does free VPN steal data?”

Free VPNs look tempting — zero rand outlay, instant install, and promises of “secure browsing.” In South Africa, where many folks want cheap access to streaming, dodging throttling on mobile bundles, or grabbing region-locked apps, the ads for free VPNs are loud and persuasive.

But here’s the rub: a VPN’s job is privacy and security. If a free VPN makes money by selling your info, injecting ads, or routing DNS queries without a real tunnel, it’s doing the opposite of what people expect. That’s not a theoretical worry — independent tests and past scandals show real user harm: DNS/IP leaks, malware-laced apps, and services that resell browsing data to advertisers or worse.

This piece breaks down the hard facts, real examples (think Hola and Betternet), shocking study numbers and quick, practical checks you can run on any VPN app. I’ll also give South-Africa-friendly advice on when a free VPN might be “okay-ish” and when you should absolutely avoid it. Consider this the no-fluff guide to protecting your browsing and not selling your digital self for a “free” connection.

📊 What the numbers and cases actually show

What this table tells you: free VPNs are a mixed bag. Some operate honestly (limited free tier, clear rules), but a worrying fraction use shady monetization. The Reference Content highlights big red flags: studies found that about 66% of free VPNs didn’t use a true DNS tunnel, exposing users’ real identities; and a 2021 analysis by CSIS Security Groupe flagged that 38% of free Android VPN apps contained malware.

From practical perspective, the most dangerous tactics are:

• Selling browsing logs or building ad-profiles from traffic.
• Routing requests without proper tunnelling (DNS/IP leaks).
• Using peer-to-peer IP sharing (Hola’s model), which exposes your activity and identity.
• App-level malware or hidden trackers inside the VPN app itself.

For South African users, the immediate risk is not some far-off theory — leaked IPs and DNS queries can expose where you are, what bank you use, or which streaming site you visit. That can lead to targeted ads, account flags, or worse if other actors come sniffing.

😎 MaTitie Showtime

Hi, I’m MaTitie — the author here and someone who obsessively tests VPNs so you don’t have to waste time (or your data). I care about fast streaming, low lag on game nights, and not giving my browsing history to a third-party advertiser.

VPNs matter in South Africa for three reasons: privacy, performance (no throttling), and access to region-locked content. If you want reliable streaming and real privacy, skip the mystery “free” apps that have no audit or a vague privacy policy.

If you want my no-nonsense pick — try NordVPN. It’s fast, audited, and works for streaming in SA. 👉 🔐 Try NordVPN now — 30-day risk-free.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, MaTitie may earn a small commission.

💡 Deep dive: real cases, studies, and what they mean for you

Let’s walk through the evidence, plain and simple.

1. Studies and hard numbers

• The Reference Content pointed to a study claiming ~66% of free VPNs don’t use a proper DNS tunnel. That’s huge — it means a large share of “VPN traffic” could still leak DNS queries, showing your real sites to your ISP or DNS resolver.
• Another study (CSIS Security Groupe, 2021) found ~38% of free Android VPN apps contained malware. That stat isn’t ancient — it shows the ecosystem is still noisy and risky.

2. Scandals you’ve probably heard of

• Hola VPN: widely used once, later found to route users’ traffic through other users’ devices. That peer-to-peer model exposed IPs and activity. The design effectively let some users act as exit nodes for others — not cool for privacy.
• Betternet: accused of selling user data from a database of tens of millions of users (~38,000,000 in claims). If you’re using a free service that relies on ad profiling and resale, your “free” connection pays for itself with your data.

3. Recent signals in the news ecosystem
   The news landscape keeps flagging similar issues: reports that popular VPN apps spy or leak data, and investigations into apps that promise protection but behave like trackers. See reports highlighting VPN apps that betray users’ privacy for examples and contemporary validation: [Google News (Mena Tech), 2025-08-21].

4. How these problems happen (simple tech)

• No true DNS tunnel: the VPN app only forwards web traffic but leaves DNS to the system resolver, which then leaks queries to your ISP or local DNS.
• Hidden trackers & ad SDKs: developers integrate third-party ad/analytics SDKs that collect identifiers and create profiles.
• Peer-based routing: other users act as exit nodes — your traffic may route through someone else’s IP, and theirs through yours. Good for evading blocks, bad for accountability and safety.

5. eSIM & background telemetry — similar risk pattern
   A parallel problem popped up with eSIM providers that sent IPs to unexpected locations and had opaque vendor chains — showing how connected services can leak or reroute signals in unexpected ways. This reinforces that opaque infrastructure equals risk: [DDay, 2025-08-21].

6. App-store scrubbing isn’t enough
   Even top-down controls from app stores don’t stop shady VPNs slipping through. Local media reports regularly identify popular VPN apps that betray their userbase — a reminder to vet services beyond star ratings: [Kurir, 2025-08-21].

Quick, practical checks (do these now)

• Read the privacy policy for “we sell your data” or “does not log” contradictions.
• Check app permissions — a VPN shouldn’t need access to SMS, contacts or camera.
• Run a leak test: use online IP/DNS leak tools while connected. If your real IP or DNS shows, bail out.
• Search for independent audits or a published warrant canary. If none, be cautious.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Do free VPNs actually steal user data?

💬 Some do. Free VPNs with ad-based or data-resale models can log browsing, sell profiles, or inject ads to monetize. Always check the service model and independent research.

🛠️ Can I safely use a free VPN for casual streaming?

💬 If it’s a reputable provider with a free tier (limited servers, speed caps) and clear policies, it’s usually fine for casual streaming. Avoid unknown “free” apps that promise everything and require odd permissions.

🧠 What’s the best defence against being tracked by a VPN?

💬 Use audited paid VPNs, test for leaks, limit installation to trusted providers, and combine with browser privacy tools (uBlock, privacy-respecting DNS). Transparency from the provider is your friend.

🧩 Final Thoughts…

Free VPNs are convenient — but convenience has costs. The evidence is clear: a significant share of free VPNs misuse or expose data through weak DNS handling, embedded malware, ad SDKs, or outright data resale. South African users who rely on free solutions for streaming or bypassing throttles are especially at risk of IP/DNS leaks and aggressive profiling.

If privacy matters to you, treat a VPN like a paid utility: the provider’s business model should be clear, audits should exist or be feasible, and technical checks (no leaks, strong encryption) should pass your tests. For everything else — casual, non-sensitive usage — pick a trusted free tier from a reputable paid provider rather than a mystery app promising total freedom.

📚 Further Reading

Here are 3 recent articles that give more context to this topic — all selected from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇

🔸 “Van, ahol már személyi kell a pornónézéshez – és jöhet egy újabb szigor”
🗞️ Source: hvg – 📅 2025-08-21 09:03:00
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🔸 “Getting Valorant mobile outside China isn’t rocket science”
🗞️ Source: Hindustan Times – 📅 2025-08-21 07:24:29
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🔸 “How to watch ‘Mudtown’ online — stream the English-language version of the crime drama from anywhere”
🗞️ Source: Tom’s Guide – 📅 2025-08-21 08:29:45
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😅 A Quick Shameless Plug (Hope You Don’t Mind)

Let’s be honest — most VPN review sites put NordVPN at the top for a reason.
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Affiliate disclosure: MaTitie may earn a small commission if you purchase via the link.

📌 Disclaimer

This article blends public reporting, independent study findings, and practical testing advice. It’s intended for general informational purposes and not legal or professional guidance. Always double-check policies and test services yourself before trusting them with sensitive data.