Windscribe Confirms Dutch Authorities Seized One of Its VPN Servers
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Key Takeaways
- Windscribe Seized Dutch Server: Confiscation occurred, but RAM-only setup ensures no user data or VPN logs are exposed to authorities.
- RAM-Only Architecture Protects Privacy: Volatile memory wipes all active connections when powered off, leaving nothing for analysis.
- Company Track Record and Transparency: Regular audits and transparency reports confirm Windscribe maintains strong privacy protections for users.
Dutch authorities have reportedly seized a Windscribe VPN server, according to a post from the company on X on Friday. The post did not specify the reason for the seizure but noted that authorities conducted it without a warrant and plan to return the server after analysis.
Windscribe reassured users that the seizure poses no privacy risk because all of its servers run on RAM-only infrastructure, meaning no user data is stored permanently.
RAM-Only Servers Keep User Data Safe
RAM-only servers store information in volatile memory, which is wiped when the server is powered off or disconnected. Windscribe CEO Yegor Sak told CNET that even if authorities performed a RAM dump, no user data or active connection records would be accessible because the network cable was disconnected before the seizure.
The company highlighted that its privacy policy already ensures no logs of user IP addresses, VPN sessions, or visited sites are kept. This combination of RAM-only servers and no-logs policy means the seized server should contain nothing authorities could use.
Windscribe’s Track Record With Privacy and Legal Cases
Windscribe has undergone regular third-party audits since 2021, with the latest in 2024 covering its FreshScribe VPN infrastructure. While audits provide trust signals, real-world legal cases also test a VPN’s privacy claims.
In 2023, Greek authorities charged Sak for "illegal access to an information system" after a user misused a Windscribe server. The case was dismissed after Windscribe demonstrated it had no user data to provide.
Windscribe continues to share transparency reports, noting that it receives several law enforcement requests monthly but cannot comply due to lack of relevant data. The company emphasized that the Dutch server seizure was unusual because authorities did not request logs, they seized the server directly.
This incident reinforces the importance of Windscribe's RAM-only infrastructure and no-logs policies in protecting VPN user privacy during server seizures.
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