ExpressVPN employees protest against executive’s role in Project Raven
Senior executive Daniel Gericke among those fined by DoJ
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Workers atExpressVPNhave apparently publicly protested against company following the news that senior executive Daniel Gericke will jointlypay a $1.6 million fineto the US Department of Justice (DoJ) for his involvement in a suspected spying campaign.
Gericke is part of the three former US intelligence operatives that have been charged by the DoJ for their role inProject Raven, which involved the creation of spying tools for the UAE.
“To find out such news of the people we work closely with everyday through an online article was absolutely distasteful. Why weren’t we given a heads up? Isn’t transparency and respect our core values?” one employee posted during an internal chat meeting between the management and employees, according toVice.
We’re looking at how our readers use VPNs with streaming sites like Netflix so we can improve our content and offer better advice. This survey won’t take more than 60 seconds of your time, and we’d hugely appreciate if you’d share your experiences with us.
Click here to start the survey in a new window«
The trio have agreed not to contest the charges and pay the imposed fine, and accept any accompanying sanctions.
Eroded consumer trust
According to reports, ExpressVPN employees asked management several questions about Gericke, his employment history, and how his continued association will affect the company’s perception in thecybersecurityindustry.
“This episode has eroded consumer’s trust in our brand, regardless of the facts. How do we intend to rebuild our reputation?” wrote another employee on the chat board according toReuters.
Following thepublic disclosureof Gericke’s role as a mercenary hacker, former NSA whistleblower and privacy advocate Edward Snowdentook to Twitterto ask users tostop usingthe popularVPNservice.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Despite receiving flak from all quarters, ExpressVPN continues to stand by its Chief Information Office (CIO) and hasissued a statementin his support, adding that while they “value Daniel’s expertise and how it has helped us to protect customers, we do not condone Project Raven.”
In addition to several other employees asking questions about the implications of DoJ’s action against Gericke on ExpressVPN’s balance sheet, there were several who were trying to wrap their heads around thecompany’s acquisitionby security firm Kape, earlier this month.
ViaVice
With almost two decades of writing and reporting on Linux, Mayank Sharma would like everyone to think he’sTechRadar Pro’sexpert on the topic. Of course, he’s just as interested in other computing topics, particularly cybersecurity, cloud, containers, and coding.
Should your VPN always be on?
3 reasons why PIA fell in our best VPN rankings
NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Sunday, November 10 (game #252)
