This story was originally published on HackerNoon at: https://hackernoon.com/safepaper-exposes-hidden-vpn-ties-behind-best-vpn-rankings.
SafePaper reveals hidden ties shaping “best VPN” rankings, exposing affiliate deals and media ownership that mislead consumers.
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SafePaper’s report by Paige West shows many “best VPN” lists are influenced by hidden ownership and affiliate marketing, not product quality. Major VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark dominate rankings due to shared parent companies and media control, while independents like Mullvad are ignored. Consumers should scrutinize VPN ownership before trusting review sites.