The majority of free VPN apps aren’t exactly paragons of virtue when it comes to respecting your privacy. Not only do they collect your data, but they also sell it, which means that rather than keeping your online activity private and secure, they do the opposite.
This egregious disregard for user privacy can be attributed to a simple fact: free VPN service providers need to cover the cost of running servers, paying employees and financing other operating expenses. Free VPNs cannot help but sell your data if they want to stay in business.
When browsing, you have enough to worry about: ISP tracking, third-party cookies, malware, and much more. The last thing you want to think about is who the VPN is selling your data to and what the buyers might do with that information.
Sure, it can be used for marketing purposes (in the best case) but it can easily lead to identity theft as well. You may not know, but your information is really valuable to cybercriminals.
So instead of worrying about what they do with your information, you are advised to avoid using free VPNs and consider using a real VPN that actually respects your privacy.
In other words, use a popular VPN developed by well-established company (like NordVPN) that really protects you, your privacy and your data.