Understanding NordVPN Privacy Policy and No-Logs Audit

Imagine a world in which no one could see how you use the internet. Every time you do something on the internet, it is as if it never happened. It seems almost too good to be true, but NordVPN is working on making it possible for a lot of people.

NordVPN began in 2012. Its purpose is to keep you anonymous when using the internet. Today, a large number of individuals are using it. It has servers in different locations around the world. You should use these servers to disguise your online activity.

It makes a big promise. It claims never to record any of your online activity. It is almost as if it takes no knowledge of what sites you visit. This is where the NordVPN no-logs policy comes from. It allows other smart people to verify its work and prove it is telling the truth. Such individuals and companies keep NordVPN on their toes to implement their core values.

This article will explain how NordVPN privacy policy works to protect user data. The next section will go into the no-logs policy in significantly more detail. It will also talk about the audits it allows others to do, and it will come with an explanation of how does NordVPN keep your data and handles your information.

Why Is Privacy Important In VPN Services?

Trust And Purpose

VPNs are built on trust. Users choose VPNs to protect their privacy online. A virtual private network needs strong privacy rules to succeed in its main job. Users need to know the service they trust with their data will not misuse it.

No Logging Policy

Most VPNs make a “no-logs” assurance. This also means there are no logs involving user actions. A privacy policy for this can be a huge help. It ensures that users need not worry about their online behaviors getting tracked.

Preventing Misuse

Since there are no stringent rules, a VPN could be potentially misappropriating user data. They could make money selling it to advertisers or use the data for their own purposes. This helps to prevent this and encourages the VPN to remain honest with a transparent privacy policy.

Transparency

A thorough privacy policy demonstrates exactly what happens with user data. This openness is putting it all out in the open. This transparency creates trust between you and your audiences. It gives users insight into how to use the service.

P.S: This way, VPNs are largely about privacy. More than just a nice-to-have, it is practically mandatory to have an extremely tight privacy policy. This provides some privacy, and the VPN actually works and will truly submit users’ private information. The absence of this makes the service almost completely pointless to anyone wanting a VPN.

What Is NordVPN No-Logs Policy?

Understanding No-Logs Policies

A no-logs policy is just a guarantee by VPN companies. That means it will not track your online activity. Or mapping your steps through a new city with the help of a tourist guide. A typical coach would have jotted down the place you went. In other words, a no-logs guide would give you the tour and promptly wipe their memory when it was over.

That means that the VPN companies do not retain records of which websites you are visiting. Their logging is the amount of data uploaded and downloaded, not what you downloaded or how long you were online. They also do not retain your actual IP address. This means your internet use is kept private. They have nothing to share if anyone comes asking the VPN company about you.

NordVPN No-logs Policy

NordVPN proudly says it has a “strict no-logs” VPN service. Check out the guide to learn if NordVPN is really safe or not. What exactly does this mean practically? Following are the things that will show how does NordVPN keep your data:

• Connection timestamps: It does not keep a log of the time information when you connect with them. 
• Session information: They do not record the time spent logged in.
• Used bandwidth: The amount of data you transfer while connected is not logged.
• Traffic logs: The websites that you visit and their contents will be hidden. Here is the list of providers that keep your traffic logs, so you should check them out. It will help you a lot in picking the right VPN service.
• IP addresses: No actual IP or NordVPN-assigned addresses are stored.

This information is so that NordVPN keeps no logs of what you do on the internet and can not provide this data to anyone. It can neither be handed over to the police nor the government.

How NordVPN Compares To Others?

Some VPNs may claim not to keep logs, but not all no-log policies are created equally. On the other hand, some VPNs will avoid saving your browsing history but might still gather data on you. For example, they could log which time you connect or how much data you use. Some might retain your data for a day or two and then purge it.

NordVPN is one of the few providers that don’t store any information capable of identifying what you do online. That, in addition to the fact that NordVPN is based out of Panama, which has no data retention laws whatsoever, makes it a haven for privacy-loving users looking to protect themselves with best-in-class encryption. NordVPN privacy policy is as comprehensive as that of some other VPN businesses.

It also does not store any logs, which means that your online activities will remain private. That is the reason a large portion of individuals pick NordVPN at whatever point they have to set up their online protection.

Why No-Logs Policy Matters For Your Privacy?

A no-logs policy is very important for keeping your online activities private. Here is why it matters:

Staying unknown online

There are almost no records connecting your online activities with real people. This is highly essential for someone who needs to be in cover like a reporter or a person residing in an unfair rule country.

Avoiding targeted ads

Because companies have no information on what you do in the online world, they cannot show your special kinds of ads. So you may also notice fewer ads that know too much about you.

P.S: NordVPN no-logs policy is one significant way in which they secure your online activities. This is the primary reason why NordVPN will be used by so many people when they want their internet use to be kept secret and secure.

Why Do Independent Audits Matter?

Audits are important because they show if a VPN is telling the truth. It is easy for a company to say they do not keep logs. But it is much better when someone else checks and confirms it. This helps us trust the VPN more. Here is why independent audits are so important:

History Of NordVPN Audit

Not only that, but NordVPN audit has the great track record to prove their transparency and accountability. Knowledge is power, and in no other case is this expression more truthful than when it comes to the latest audits; here are some of the very recent ones.

2018 Audit By PricewaterhouseCoopers AG (PwC)

PwC, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms audited NordVPN for the first time in a big way in 2018. For this audit, we investigated NordVPN’s no-logs policy and server infrastructure.

2020 Audit By PwC

PwC performed a second NordVPN audit in 2020. This audit was a lot more thorough than the last one. This covered more than just the no-logs policy but also servers and other privacy aspects of its service.

2022 Audit By Deloitte

The other audit was conducted in 2022 by Deloitte, another Big Four firm and the largest of all. This is a NordVPN audit, and all located standard VPN, obfuscated, double VPN, and P2P servers as well as their central infrastructure.

2022 Audit By Cure53

It then hired Cure53, a respected cybersecurity firm based in Germany to perform an audit of their security measures in early 2022. The audit involved both a penetration test and source code review of NordVPN server infrastructure, as well as mobile applications for Android/iOS and desktop applications. Cure53 checked and scored NordVPN website code and browser extension security, their APIs (including the Threat Protection Pro feature), and VPN servers.

Our development team has fully verified and quickly mitigated the details. This research showed NordVPN has a solid infrastructure engineering-wise, which adequately prevents security issues associated with mobile environments on the server side.

2023 Audit By Deloitte

After that, NordVPN once again opens up Deloitte to do a full audit of its privacy policies and infrastructure. Since this was the fourth year in a row it had passed an audit. And this audit reaffirmed NordVPN’s commitment to transparency and user privacy. Audit 30 November December 2023 On 13 December, they released the report about NordVPN’s no-logs policy.

Key Findings Of The Audit

NordVPN performed very well in the 2023 audit. It did show that it works as advertised in terms of NordVPN privacy policy and security. Below are the key highlights of what was revealed during the audit.

• No-Logs Policy is Real: Deloitte has Proven that NordVPN does not log. In other words, NordVPN does not keep any of your surfing actions information. The auditors inspected NordVPN’s computers and processes to verify this.
• Servers are Safe: The audit looked into all of NordVPN’s servers. No logs policy. They found all the servers are no-logs, okay, Smish person. That no server was collecting intelligence about users.
• Better Privacy Protection: Deloitte also observed that NordVPN privacy policy has been improved since the last audit. It uses servers that lose everything when powered down. They have also increased the strength of their encryption.

ThingsTo Improve

Even though the audit was mostly good, Deloitte suggested a few ways NordVPN could get even better:

• Keep Improving Encryption: NordVPN’s way of encrypting data is already good. But Deloitte said they should keep making it even better to stay ahead of new threats.
• Make Inside Jobs Better: Deloitte thought NordVPN could improve how they handle problems and deal with data inside the company. This would help them be the best in the VPN business.
• Check More Servers: The 2023 audit looked at all the types of servers NordVPN has now. Deloitte said that in the future, they should check any new types of servers NordVPN might start using.

These regular NordVPN audits by outside experts show that it cares about proving it keeps your information private. It is like having a teacher grade your work to show your parents you are doing well in school.

How Audit Was Performed? 

Deloitte carried out a comprehensive NordVPN audit in 2023. There were a lot of ways they tried to access NordVPN’s systems. Here is how they did it:

Black Box Penetration Testing

Deloitte performed a “Black Box” penetration test. The idea was to simulate a real attack against NordVPN and pretend as if they were hackers attempting to access the company’s systems. They used no inside info. They also concluded from this that NordVPN is very secure. If you are curious to know in-depth about black box penetration tests, you can visit this helpful guide.

Checking Server Settings

The audit took an in-depth look into the way all of NordVPN’s servers were configured. They tested regular VPN servers, obfuscation/stealth/servers to bypass China censorship, double protection servers, and P2P dedicated servers. They just rushed this so that all of these servers would be in line with NordVPN’s promises not to keep logs.

Infrastructure Review

Each piece of NordVPN has been reviewed by Deloitte. That means the primary and secondary servers, as well as everything else that goes along with operating a VPN. They needed to ensure all affairs were as they should be

Technical Controls Assessment 

A significant part of the audit centered around testing how it prevents even its employees from logging user details. This comparison looked at how NordVPN encrypts and conceals the data awareness of its server operations to prevent your privacy in a variety of ways.

Interviews And Process Evaluation

Auditors spoke with key personnel at NordVPN. We asked them questions about what it looks like with NordVPN in production. Privacy Policy: This led us to look up if they had access or logs of your usage from the way that NordVPN manages data, how it deals with server management, and making sure there are no records kept.

Deloitte was able to piece together NordVPN’s work by conducting all these different checks. This builds user trust in NordVPN to not violate their privacy. They examined every aspect of NordVPN to ensure that it performs as promised in protecting user data.

Data Logging Practices By NordVPN

NordVPN has a very straightforward outlook on data logging. Before we go into the actual review, note that this is supposed to be a zero-logs service.

Types Of Data Logged

NordVPN follows a zero-logs privacy policy as it relates to user activities, however, they do keep track of the following information:

• Email: Required for account creation and communication.
• Payment data: Needed for paying subscriptions (but users are offered the option to pay in an anonymous manner, such as with cryptocurrency).
• Server load information: Anonymize the data of how servers are performing in order to improve the service.

Important to mention is that none of this data can be directly associated with online behavior by an individual use

Purpose Of Data Collection

Importantly, no data related to user online activities is ever retained. NordVPN does collect some data, but this is a way for the company to use it:

• Account management that is account creation, password resets, and important service updates.
• Payment processing: Payment information is required for billing purposes.
• Performance enhancements: Anonymized server load data helps NordVPN improve its network performance.

Duration Of Data Retention

The data that NordVPN keeps:

• Email address: As long as the customer account is active.
• Payment Data: Maintained for tax records, most of the time it is 10 years.
• Server load data is anonymized, never linked to individual users, and is refreshed continuously

Basically, NordVPN never actually stores anything related to any of the online activity from a user.

Connection Timestamps

A notable category of queries about NordVPN’s handling of data practices concerns their use of connection timestamps. It also logs connection timestamps but for a mere 15 minutes.

For instance, when you connect to a NordVPN server it records the time of connection. The active memory of this timestamp persists only for up to 15 minutes. If we do not recover the registration on time, it will be removed automatically 15 MIN after the first response with this timestamp.

Purpose And Necessity Of This Practice

NordVPN requires timestamp retention for 15 minutes because:

• Load Balancer: This enables NordVPN to route user connections effectively through their server network.
• Combat abuse in order to detect and prevent abusive usage of the service, such as spam/DDoS attacks.
• Troubleshooting: If there are ever any issues connecting then this short log can be very useful to the Support team in order for them to diagnose and resolve errors faster.

NordVPN Privacy Policy Implications For Users

This might seem like more of a red flag that most privacy advocates care to see, but the practice has relatively few implications:

• Activity-free timestamp: The website that you visit or the action you take does not check any user activity.
• User ID: It does not correspond to any user ID in the web application and does not store any personally identifiable information.
• Extremely brief: The 15-minute retention duration means NordVPN has scarcely any thought of who is or was linked to its servers at any one time.

Technical necessity This is the compromise between total no logging and maintaining a high-quality, abuse-resistant service.

Dedicated IP Feature And Associated Privacy Concerns

It gives its users the same fixed IP on every connection. A dedicated IP is an IP address created for one user only. Instead of getting an IP with other users, you will get a unique and static address. Great for getting through IP-restricted networks, dodging stupid CAPTCHAs, or connecting your own servers. This is, without a doubt, convenient for some things, but from a privacy perspective, this can also be a concern.

Privacy Risks Of Dedicated IP

Specifically, we discuss all the things that dedicated IP addresses might mess up privacy-wise.

• More tracking potential: A static IP allows one to locate and identify the user behind Internet activity.
• Less anonymity: You lose some or all the potential advantages of being lost in a crowd, such as sharing IP addresses with thousands to millions of other users.
• Correlation potential: Using the same IP for a long time could enable websites to correlate your data with time.

How Does NordVPN Deal With These Threats?

To combat these concerns, NordVPN has implemented multiple solutions.

• Even when using a dedicated IP, NordVPN still benefits from the no-log benefit.
• Dedicated IPs in different server networks for extra security.
• Users may opt to receive a unique IP or stay on shared IPs.

User Considerations When Using Dedicated IPs

These are the factors one should consider in making up their mind regarding a dedicated IP:

• Need or privacy: Are the benefits worth risking your privacy?
• Behavior patterns: Remember that if you use a dedicated IP address regularly, it could also make your online behavior very traceable.
• Using the other features: You may also consider using dedicated IPs in addition to NordVPN privacy policy!

Handling Of Government And Legal Requests

Jurisdiction And Its Implications

NordVPN’s choice of Panama as its base of operations plays a vital role in how it handles government and legal requests for user data. Panama offers several advantages such as it has no mandatory data retention laws, it is not in major surveillance alliances (Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, Fourteen Eyes) and it has strong privacy protection laws. 

This jurisdiction significantly impacts how NordVPN responds to international data requests. It limits international cooperation for digital information sharing. There is no legal obligation to respond to foreign government requests. It protects NordVPN against large-scale surveillance programs.

Company Policy And Response To Data Requests

NordVPN privacy policy is clear for handling government data requests. This policy includes the following main points:

• They only respond to requests that follow proper legal procedures under Panamanian law.
• Each request is carefully scrutinized and reviewed by their legal team.
• Due to NordVPN no-logs policy, it has very limited information to provide, even if compelled.
• When legally permitted, they aim to notify users about valid legal requests concerning their accounts.

Transparency And Reporting

To keep users informed, NordVPN publishes regular transparency reports. The reports are commonly annual and include statistics on received requests. These reports provide details on how NordVPN responded to these requests. Generally, reports show a low number of requests received and zero instances of user data being provided.

Instead of using a warrant canary, NordVPN relies on these transparency reports to communicate about government requests. This approach is chosen due to reliability concerns with traditional warrant canaries, legal ambiguity surrounding warrant canaries, and preference for direct communication through comprehensive reports.

NordVPN’s handling of government and legal requests is characterized by a strong emphasis on user privacy, backed by favorable jurisdiction and transparent reporting practices. This practice places NordVPN among the more privacy-protective VPN providers in the industry.

User Control and Privacy Settings

Privacy Options And Data Sharing

NordVPN offers a range of privacy options and several ways for users to customize their data collection and sharing preferences. However, you can learn more about NordVPN by visiting our guide. 

• VPN protocols: Users can choose between different VPN protocols, each with its balance of speed and security. The protocols are:
• NordLynx (based on WireGuard): Offers high speed and strong security.
• OpenVPN: A well-established, highly secure protocol.
• IKEv2/IPsec: Good for mobile devices due to its ability to quickly re-establish connections.

• Kill switch: Users can enable a kill switch that automatically disconnects their device from the internet if the VPN connection drops. It prevents accidental data leaks.
• CyberSec feature: This optional feature halts ads, malware, and phishing attempts.
• Double VPN: Routes traffic through two VPN servers for an extra layer of encryption.
• Obfuscated servers: Disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, useful in countries with VPN restrictions.
• Split tunneling: Allows users to choose which apps use the VPN connection and which use their regular internet connection.
• Invisibility on LAN: Makes the user’s device invisible to others on the local network.
• Account information: Users can update or modify their account information at any time through their NordVPN account dashboard.
• Communication preferences: Users can opt in or out of marketing communications. Essential service-related communications cannot be opted out of for security reasons.
• Payment information: Users can choose to use anonymous payment methods like cryptocurrency for added privacy.
• Usage Data: Users can opt out of sharing anonymous app diagnostics data used for improving the service.
• Browser extension settings: For those using NordVPN’s browser extensions, additional privacy settings are available, such as restricting WebRTC leaks.

Account Deletion Process And Data Removal Policies

NordVPN provides a simple process for account deletion and has clear policies on data removal.

Account deletion process

Users can initiate account deletion through their account dashboard or by contacting customer support. The process normally involves verifying the user’s identity to prevent unauthorized account deletions.

Data removal policies

Upon account deletion, it commits to removing all personal information associated with the account. Due to the NordVPN no-logs policy, there is no VPN usage data to delete. Some information may be retained for a limited time for legal and financial compliance reasons (e.g., payment records for tax purposes).

Retention Period

Most personal data is deleted immediately upon account closure. Any data retained for legal reasons is kept only for as long as necessary and is then securely deleted.

Third-party Data

It will also request the deletion of user data from any third-party services they use (e.g., payment processors), though users should be aware that these third parties may have their retention policies.

Unrecoverable Deletion

It uses secure deletion methods to ensure that deleted data cannot be recovered. It offers users a high degree of control over their privacy settings, allowing for a customized VPN experience that aligns with individual privacy needs.

Reviews From Cybersecurity Experts On NordVPN Privacy Policy

Cybersecurity experts have generally provided positive assessments of NordVPN’s privacy measures:

Ratings From Independent VPN Review Organizations

NordVPN has received high ratings from several independent VPN review organizations:

VPN.com

Overall rating: 4.5/5 stars

They positively state that NordVPN has an extensive server network, strong security features, and excellent speeds. It also has user-friendly apps for various platforms and reliable customer support. According to vpn.com, it is the best choice because of the competitive pricing for long-term plans and the 30-day money-back guarantee. Moreover you can get a NordVPN subscription through us to get extra benefits and support. 

VPNMentor

Overall rating: 9.6/10

It has praised  NordVPN for its strong security features, large server network, and user-friendly apps. Also suggested more customization options for advanced users.

TechRadar

Overall rating: 4.5/5 stars

They have highlighted the excellent performance, strong privacy practices, and wide range of features. In the criticism, they have noted that the monthly plan is relatively expensive compared to long-term subscriptions.

CNET

Overall rating: 4/5 stars

Commended strong security, audited NordVPN no-logs policy, and a large server network. They have also mentioned the past security breach but acknowledged NordVPN’s transparent handling and continuous improvements.

ProPrivacy

Overall rating: 9.2/10

They have praised it for its strong encryption, privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and advanced features like DoubleVPN. They have also recommended more detailed explanations of technical features for novice users.

User Feedback And Experiences Related To NordVPN Privacy Policy

User feedback on NordVPN privacy policy has been largely positive:

Trustpilot

Overall rating: 4.4/5 stars

 (Based on over 20,000 reviews)

Many users praise NordVPN for its ease of use and perceived improvement in online privacy. Some users report feeling more secure when accessing public Wi-Fi networks.

Reddit Communities (r/VPN, r/PrivacyToolsIO)

There is generally positive sentiment towards NordVPN privacy policy. Users appreciate the regular audits and transparency reports. Some advanced users express a desire for more technical details about server configurations.

App Store Reviews

Google Play Store: 4.3/5 stars

Apple App Store: 4.6/5 stars

Common praise includes the feeling of enhanced privacy and the intuitive user interface. Some users report occasional connection issues, though these are not typically related to privacy concerns.

User Testimonials 

Many users report feeling more secure when browsing, especially when using public Wi-Fi. Some users in countries with internet restrictions praise NordVPN’s ability to bypass censorship while maintaining privacy. A few users have noted the peace of mind provided by the no-logs policy and independent audits.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

NordVPN is very good at keeping users’ online activities private. It does not record what users do online and it lets outside experts audit its claims. It is open about how it works, which helps people trust this. It uses strong tools to protect users. Their servers forget everything when turned off and they offer extra ways to stay hidden online. It is based in Panama, where privacy laws are strong.

The company follows privacy rules from many countries and often does more than needed. Users can adjust settings to choose how private they want to be. Many experts say good things about NordVPN privacy policy. But remember, no VPN can completely hide you online. Users should still be careful about what they share.

The internet is always changing with new privacy risks. It seems ready for these changes. It is a good choice for people who care a lot about privacy. As the internet keeps changing, NordVPN looks ready to keep protecting privacy in new ways.