Mullvad is apparently the main financier of a Swedish far-right party
cross-posted from: hexbear.net/post/8915892
(original article in Swedish that reported this)Posting this because I hadn't heard about it before and I'm probably not the only Mullvad user here, so might as well.
The party claims to stand for a "class-conscious populism" which according to party leader Markus Allard takes inspiration from marxist ideology and unites the "productive" classes of society against the "Transferiat", with the "Transferiat" being a term coined by Allard to describe the classes of society that lives off transfers that are a net negative for society such as those who, despite having an ability to work, live off social welfare benefits, as well as those who work "made-up services"[...]The party differs from modern day left-wing parties by seeing the working class as co-dependent with people working in enterprise and business and instead sees the classes that "live off transfers", as specified, as a large economic net-negative and an obstacle for a functional society.
Their ideology is nonsense fake-marxist revisionism to redirect anger at capitalism and turn it against immigrants and people who need social welfare (though they do back some generally left oriented social policies, their main thing appears to be racism)
Even if you're comfortable with funding this, it still begs the question of just how trustworthy Mullvad actually is.
I guess this still beats any of the dozens of Israeli VPNs that definitely spy on you, but it's not great
Techprofil ger miljoner till Örebropartiet
It-bolaget Mullvads grundare donerade fem miljoner – till parti som vill se ”storskalig återvandring”Jacob Lundberg (Flamman)
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blueworld
in reply to Rindogang • • •news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4…
... Show more...news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4…
Hi, Mullvad has two owners, founders, and CEOs - Daniel Berntsson, and me, Fredr... | Hacker News
news.ycombinator.com☂️-
in reply to blueworld • • •paranoia
in reply to ☂️- • • •JillyB
in reply to paranoia • • •paranoia
in reply to JillyB • • •Sure, but there are two owners. It's possible to start a company with someone that has different views, or ones that diverge over time. You can't really blame the other guy for his partner's opinions.
So what should they do? Liquidate the company? Should the reasonable person leave the company he built? The guy the internet doesn't like might still be ok to work with, and equally not want to leave. Should you get in trouble for your coworker's opinions?
ZeroHora
in reply to paranoia • • •☂️-
in reply to paranoia • • •nevyn
in reply to ☂️- • • •The reply is fence sitting/pr, it is a fair assumption that the choices of one of the co-founders has put the company into a very difficult position. I'm not a fan of the wording, not sure I would have done a better job though.
After reading it, I applied for my refund yesterday, and it was approved yesterday.
I hope Daniel Berntsson is somehow removed (or does the right thing and removes himself) from the company.
It is definitely shitty to hold Mullvad accountable for this, but money paid to Mullvad has been used to fund the political party via Daniel Berntsson.
Anyone with any vpn experience should already be well aware that it is a dodgy industry, with the majority of available 'information' being transparent marketing. I wouldn't trust 95% of companies in the industry, I would like to see Mullvad come out of this the right way up.
TheFermentalist
in reply to nevyn • • •No. It’s not. Hold them accountable. Co-founder must have known that Berntsson has fascist tendencies. That’s kinda hard to hide
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AllNewTypeFace
in reply to TheFermentalist • • •nevyn
in reply to TheFermentalist • • •I hold you personally, and completely responsible for its actions, you know its issues and crimes.
TheFermentalist
in reply to nevyn • • •nevyn
in reply to TheFermentalist • • •☂️-
in reply to nevyn • • •nevyn
in reply to ☂️- • • •That assumes there is anything they can do about his actions in his personal life.
A clause in his contract that applies significant penalties if he brings the company into disrepute sounds cool, but also problematic, and may not even be a possibility, let alone a reality.
I want him gone, it may not be that simple though.
☂️-
in reply to nevyn • • •regardless, paying for a service that pays for fascism is something that might put them in trouble if they don't deal with it.
that is if people care. that has to be a consideration these days.
nevyn
in reply to ☂️- • • •It has already attracted negative press, some of it valid, some of it due to deliberate manipulation and idiots (op as an example of both), the effect on their reputation will not be short lived, and this issue will continuously resurface online.
They still need to deal with it though, and soon.
It has already cost them business/money due to refunds ($$$ ???), and a short/medium/long term reduction in new customers.
"That is if people care" Always the issue with humanity.
People tend to be polar online, rarely fair, or decent.
☂️-
in reply to nevyn • • •TheFermentalist
in reply to blueworld • • •Don’t tolerate the intolerant.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_…
Berntsson hides his fascist tendencies behind a thin veneer of free speech.
Strömberg obviously knows his bedmate and tolerates his tendencies.
Fuck them both. Delete Mullvad (which I used until very recently)
logical paradox in decision-making theory
Contributors to Wikimedia projects (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.)jdr
in reply to TheFermentalist • • •Don't rely on a totschlagargument to to save yourself from thinking about the complex consequences of your choices.
Even if you think Popper was right that doesn't mean you can just draw a line down the middle of humanity dividing the intolerant-because-evil and intolerant-but-only-to-other-group.
nevyn
in reply to Rindogang • • •Your headline is misleading.
One of the founders (and co-ceo) of Mullvad made a substantial donation to an unhinged political party.
Mullvad did not, and Mullvad claim to be against it.
This has been all over mastodon for days.
Seppo
in reply to nevyn • • •like this
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ExcessShiv
in reply to Seppo • • •Their statement reads
They're pretty clearly saying that they as a company have no part in this political support.
vas
in reply to ExcessShiv • • •True. But they did not say that they are _against_ the donation.
The original comment should simply be reworded to "and Mullvad says it has nothing to do with the donation and wasn't aware of it" or something like that. Remove "~~claim to be against~~".
ExcessShiv
in reply to vas • • •vas
in reply to ExcessShiv • • •nevyn
in reply to Seppo • • •JillyB
in reply to nevyn • • •nevyn
in reply to JillyB • • •Their response quoted here was too subtle, but you know it is pr for a very serious issue for the company.
"not part of Mullvad's values" ,perhaps we interpret this differently because we are different people. If something is not part of my values, I am against it, because I am value based, how I interact with society is completely defined by my values.
For all I know you are corn chip based, maybe even a corn chip cooked in palm oil, using child labour, purchased from amazon, and delivered by ubereats.
JillyB
in reply to nevyn • • •nevyn
in reply to JillyB • • •Using the word "fact" doesn't make something a fact, do you find people usually fall for that obvious bs?
People are deliberately trying to mislead other people with click bait headlines. Discredit the company by making it look like he is the company.
Many people do not read past headlines, many people just follow the crowd, and are eagerly manipulated by it.
If he was the only owner, then yes his company would very more than likely be very much in line with his own morals, or lack of.
But he isn't the only owner, he isn't the company.
Decent customers should be getting refunds to apply pressure to the dodgy co-CEO in the hope that he does the right thing and leaves mullvad, or is somehow removed, or so that the (as far as we aware ) decent CEO makes his own vpn company with the morals that we believe(d) mullvad to have.
The irony of clearly dodgy people deliberately trying to make this a 'mullvad is evil' thing, is pathetic, but not surprising.
sudoer777
in reply to nevyn • • •nevyn
in reply to sudoer777 • • •Nothing is obvious for multiple reasons, one of them is that people are deliberately trying to manipulate this to be 'Mullvad is the nazi party'
The headline of the thread we are commenting on is pure trash.
I requested and received my refund, I hope many others are doing the same with the aim of pressuring his removal from the company
sudoer777
in reply to nevyn • • •nevyn
in reply to sudoer777 • • •"Mullvad is apparently the main financier of a Swedish far-right party"
you are dodgy
M137
in reply to nevyn • • •The post should be removed.
nevyn
in reply to M137 • • •I meant lemmy, I have only just started using both with the aim of dropping reddit and bluesky, and apparently I am confused.
I agree the post should be removed.
daniskarma
in reply to nevyn • • •Saapas
in reply to Rindogang • • •I mean doesn't sound that far off from "he who does not work, neither shall he eat"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_who_d…
aphorism found in 2 Thess 3:10
Contributors to Wikimedia projects (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.)like this
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ViatorOmnium
in reply to Saapas • • •That's a fascist position even if it came wrapped in a pseudo-marxist wrapping.
There's a world of difference between "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs" and withholding basic needs.
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Saapas
in reply to ViatorOmnium • • •like this
Endymion_Mallorn likes this.
doleo
in reply to Saapas • • •It seems to me that one of the key reasons that modern Marxists are angry with views extolled by people like this Mullvad guy, is that this notion that undeserving people are lapping up public funds and holding the rest of us back is normally a play straight from the far right playbook.
This not only distracts from the fundamental issue that we're facing, with a group of undeserving people lapping up all funds, public or otherwise, it also gives fuel to an unjustified claim that was only created to sow seeds of division in the working class.
JillyB
in reply to Saapas • • •He's a fascist. Part of fascism is co-opting Marxist talking points but pinning the blame on other working class people. The reason fascism comes about is due to a worsening life for regular people, leading them to believe the current system is rigged against them. Marxism tells them there is a different way and blames capitalism. Fascism tells them there's a different way and it's blame other working class people. Existing capitalists, like Daniel, see the Marxists as a threat to their power and throw their support behind the fascist to maintain power.
Listen to a lot of Trump's campaign speeches leading up to the 2016 election and it sounds like stuff from the occupy wall st movement, right up until he starts railing against Mexicans. That's what fascism is.
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chicken
in reply to Rindogang • • •nevyn
in reply to chicken • • •somewhere between sfa, and bugger all
ivpn, or airvpn would be good ones to consider. The majority of others seem very dodgy, and some are right wing already.
starsoaked_lily
in reply to chicken • • •Mikina
in reply to Rindogang • • •That is a really difficult situation to be in, and I don't envy them. I'm struggling with coming up with a solution to this, when one of your co-founders, that you basically can't force out if I understand it correctly, is using his own money, he made from the company, but it's still his own, to go against your mission.
If they can't convince him to not do that, there's not much they can do.
I really like Mullvad, it's the only VPN that I feel kind of safe abiut and trust them, but if a part of my money goes directly to fund extremistic parties, then I simply won't do that and will be asking for a refund. I really hope they figure something out.
But Mullvad could also react a little better, by emphasizing that they would remove him if they could, and that they are working on a solution. Because it kind of isn't their fault, and it sucks to be in a position like this.
... Show more...Currently it's like Tesla or SpaceX saying that they don't agree with Musk's values, and that he's spending his own money they have no control over, as if that was an argument why it's fiine to b
That is a really difficult situation to be in, and I don't envy them. I'm struggling with coming up with a solution to this, when one of your co-founders, that you basically can't force out if I understand it correctly, is using his own money, he made from the company, but it's still his own, to go against your mission.
If they can't convince him to not do that, there's not much they can do.
I really like Mullvad, it's the only VPN that I feel kind of safe abiut and trust them, but if a part of my money goes directly to fund extremistic parties, then I simply won't do that and will be asking for a refund. I really hope they figure something out.
But Mullvad could also react a little better, by emphasizing that they would remove him if they could, and that they are working on a solution. Because it kind of isn't their fault, and it sucks to be in a position like this.
Currently it's like Tesla or SpaceX saying that they don't agree with Musk's values, and that he's spending his own money they have no control over, as if that was an argument why it's fiine to buy Tesla or invest into SpaceX.
But unsubscribing from Mullvad is the best thing we can do now, hopefully the co-founder loosing his income will make him reconsider the PR of his personal spendings, and the dropping number will force him to reconsider.
AllNewTypeFace
in reply to Mikina • • •Mikina
in reply to AllNewTypeFace • • •There's still the second owner who can maybe convince him, or strike a deal.
A lot of people boycoting Mullvad over it might be the motivation he needs, but it's not an easy position to be in, and I'm not getting my hopes up.
He can also maybe just take/sell his half and fork out? But even to me, who knows nothing about running this scale of business, that sounds like something unreasonable.
irate944
in reply to Mikina • • •Don't anthropomorphize companies mate. That's not how it works.
Think about it, from inside the company point of view: who, exactly, would write and post something like that?
Mullvad isn't a company with a board that can vote out a shareholder. Berntsson and Stromberg are the sole shareholders and co-CEOs, 50/50. There's no mechanism to "remove" a co-owner short of him voluntarily selling his stake or a negotiated buyout, and neither will happen because of some angry posts on the internet.
Mullvad isn't a separate entity with its own thoughts and ideologies. It's two guys who hire people to offer a service
Mikina
in reply to irate944 • • •You are right, that's what I was trying to say that there's not much they can do about it. I haven't mentioned it directly, but by "Mullvad", I mostly meant the second owner. It's now mostly up to him to either somehow deal with his co-owner, or just loose hopefully a lot of customers.
Lot of people boycotting Mullvad because of this is the only thing that may help in this regard, but I'm not getting my hopes up.
whatiswrongwithyou
in reply to Mikina • • •If it actually matters that you have privacy and anonymity it’s probably best to not switch.
You know what’s best for you, but the guilt of knowing one drop of your money goes to someone whom you find repugnant is preferable to losing life or safety.
Mikina
in reply to whatiswrongwithyou • • •I was judt thinking about this, especially considering that it's very probable that most of the money I spend are eventually financing lobyiing and who-knows what else, if you were to track them down simillarly.
But, if it's true that 75% of the donations the party has received is from the Mullvad co-owner, there is a chance that it would allow them to keep on surviving even when they shouldn't, and if they manage to get elected (which unfortunately seems to be more and more of a trend), it can cause a lot more harm than a little bit of lost privacy.
I don't know. I don't want to stop supporting Mullvad, but if that means also giving a far right party a better chance at surviving, then it sucks.
whatiswrongwithyou
in reply to Mikina • • •Tidesphere
in reply to Rindogang • • •AllNewTypeFace
in reply to Tidesphere • • •Prunebutt
in reply to AllNewTypeFace • • •chortle_tortle
in reply to Prunebutt • • •Mullvad's co-founder is bankrolling the far right
Manuel Dorne (Korben)Prunebutt
in reply to chortle_tortle • • •I don't think this'll seriously impact MullvadVPN. But don't let me stop you from trying.
I'm simply a bit weary. It seems a bit to me like a -irtue-signaling liberal cancel-culture move about a party that most people don't understand, because they don't speak swedish.
I've read a bit about them in swedish until I found the damming policy propositions.
drthunder
in reply to Prunebutt • • •Prunebutt
in reply to drthunder • • •starsoaked_lily
in reply to Tidesphere • • •(recommended by privacyguides.org)
ordnance_qf_17_pounder
in reply to Rindogang • • •Although this was a private donation and not Mullvad as a company, it's still bad. I've been a Mullvad user for a few years now and I dislike the idea that some of the money I've paid to them, no matter how little overall, might have been used to support a political party that pushes for "remigration".
I may have very indirectly helped finance a fascist party, and I'm not okay with that. I'd like Mullvad to take steps to ensure that this can't happen again. Until then, I can't be sure where my money will end up.
inkblade
in reply to Rindogang • • •sorter_plainview
in reply to Rindogang • • •Mullvad issued a response. Which IMO is shitty.
Source
::: spoiler Statement from Mullvad
Mullvad is a political company. We fight for freedom of speech, freedom of information and the right to privacy. These are firmly held values of the founders of Mullvad.
Mullvad protects the right for people to express things we don't agree with. We protect the right of everyone to access views we don't agree with.
We also live these values by being tolerant in our daily work. Everyone is welcome to collaborate with Mullvad if they share these narrow core values. As employees, contractors, customers, suppliers, lobbyists, campaign partners or whatever it might be. No matter what their other opinions are and no matter whether the founders or anyone else in Mullvad dislike them. The founders themselves fundamentally disagree on several important issues.
This is what allows us to advance our common causes. Being in a tolerant and intellectually open e
... Show more...Mullvad issued a response. Which IMO is shitty.
Source
::: spoiler Statement from Mullvad
Mullvad is a political company. We fight for freedom of speech, freedom of information and the right to privacy. These are firmly held values of the founders of Mullvad.
Mullvad protects the right for people to express things we don't agree with. We protect the right of everyone to access views we don't agree with.
We also live these values by being tolerant in our daily work. Everyone is welcome to collaborate with Mullvad if they share these narrow core values. As employees, contractors, customers, suppliers, lobbyists, campaign partners or whatever it might be. No matter what their other opinions are and no matter whether the founders or anyone else in Mullvad dislike them. The founders themselves fundamentally disagree on several important issues.
This is what allows us to advance our common causes. Being in a tolerant and intellectually open environment is also liberating and promotes truth seeking.
The more people do this, the better a place the world will be.
It should be obvious that Daniel's private donation to a political party is not part of Mullvad's values or mission, in the same way that someone's opinions on animal rights, taxes or public healthcare policy isn't.
That said, if you no longer want to be a Mullvad customer for philosophical reasons, we think it's important to honor that, and will gladly refund you.
:::
RoddyStiggs
in reply to Rindogang • • •Nobody using Mullvad is going to have their credit card tied directly to it. Much less are they going to start calling financial institutions and government agencies and tell them they're a Mullvad user.
You need to get way more subtle with your propaganda, corpos.
mathemachristian[he]
in reply to RoddyStiggs • • •Artemis_Mystique
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •mathemachristian[he]
in reply to Artemis_Mystique • • •starman2112
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •Privacy policy
Mullvad VPNmathemachristian[he]
in reply to starman2112 • • •Why?
and they will be forever and ever? There's one move fascists have, coast on good will until it's time for the rug-pull. A lot of fascists started out genuinely believing in some cause but sooner or later they all turn. What with contradictions sharpening and all
starman2112
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •Because you don't know anything about the infrastructure of their operation. It's as yet impossible for them to track traffic through their servers.
As long as it's one guy making personal donations and not the company as a whole, yes
mathemachristian[he]
in reply to starman2112 • • •Enlighten me then? Simply calling others stupid and playing coy with your argument isn't that convincing an argument.
that "one guy"? Oh he owns half the company, and we are very happy to run this operation with him don't worry about him.
starman2112
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •mathemachristian[he]
in reply to starman2112 • • •Oh the privacy policy?? The thing that they could just update, revoke entirely or even just ignore??
not to do business with nazi's is not a big ask for most people... he owns half the company for crying out loud there is so much damage he could cause, or threaten to cause instead of sending out a mail thats just "we at mullvad don't like to be seen as nazis but what people heil on their own time is their business"
RoddyStiggs
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •Explain to me how you activate an account on Mullvad. Right here.
Don't Google it. Just explain it.
mathemachristian[he]
in reply to RoddyStiggs • • •RoddyStiggs
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •mathemachristian[he]
in reply to RoddyStiggs • • •RoddyStiggs
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •mathemachristian[he]
in reply to RoddyStiggs • • •RoddyStiggs
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •mathemachristian[he]
in reply to RoddyStiggs • • •RoddyStiggs
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •Spacestar ordering, certainly.
youtu.be/38hiqW2E88A
- YouTube
youtu.beCowbee [he/they]
in reply to Rindogang • • •FoundFootFootage78
in reply to Rindogang • • •ZeroHora
in reply to FoundFootFootage78 • • •Melusine
in reply to FoundFootFootage78 • • •prole
in reply to Rindogang • • •Yeah... About that....
SupremeDonut
in reply to prole • • •southsamurai
in reply to SupremeDonut • • •nova_ad_vitum
in reply to SupremeDonut • • •prole
in reply to SupremeDonut • • •geneva_convenience
in reply to Rindogang • • •magnue
in reply to Rindogang • • •Kaul
in reply to Rindogang • • •SpaceMan9000
in reply to Kaul • • •petco34
in reply to SpaceMan9000 • • •Prior_Industry
in reply to petco34 • • •placebo
in reply to SpaceMan9000 • • •godsammitdam
in reply to placebo • • •72% of the party's funding...also more than 27x their entire previous years funding...what would constitute financing the party?
It's a founder who owns 50% of the company...he holds majority sway. He directs the company. Elon only owns 15% of Tesla for reference.
Timeline of Örebropartiet party donations Sweden | DonationWatch
DonationWatchplacebo
in reply to godsammitdam • • •The key differences are (1) whose money it is, (2) whose name/role is being used, (3) how the donation is legally treated, and (4) how it’s perceived and disclosed.
1) Whose money is used (entity vs individual)
2) Who is the legal “donor” and how it’s reported
- Company donation: Usually reported under the company’s name and governed by rules for political giving by organizations (often with tighter restrictions for corporate entities depending on jurisdiction and whether the company is considered a “corporation,” “business entity,” or “nonprof
... Show more...The key differences are (1) whose money it is, (2) whose name/role is being used, (3) how the donation is legally treated, and (4) how it’s perceived and disclosed.
1) Whose money is used (entity vs individual)
2) Who is the legal “donor” and how it’s reported
3) Limits and eligibility can differ
In many places, rules differ because:
So even if the “same person” is effectively involved, the legal analysis often depends on whether the donor is the entity or the individual.
4) Indirect control and “straw donor” risk
If an owner routes company money through a person, it can trigger enforcement concerns:
(That’s why compliance usually focuses heavily on source of funds and documentation.)
5) Corporate governance and ethics/perception
Even where allowed, the optics can differ:
6) Practical compliance and internal controls
ZeroHora
in reply to placebo • • •placebo
in reply to ZeroHora • • •ZeroHora
in reply to placebo • • •nevyn
in reply to placebo • • •Great way to compromise your side of the argument.
You were arguing with someone who was deliberately full of shit, and you countered with ai... daft
godsammitdam
in reply to placebo • • •Dumbass, you conceded the argument because you didn't use your own brain to make it.
placebo
in reply to godsammitdam • • •godsammitdam
in reply to placebo • • •God, what are you, a shill? You really do have no brain.
Just because you attempt to call something a strawman and downplay its importance doesn't make it true. We live in objective reality you rightwing numbnut.
The crux of this entire argument is that the owner's political ideology and decisions can be interpreted as synonymous with the company, given his control and that a significant portion of Mullvad's profit will go into his pocket.
Here, let me translate that for you:
That's not a strawman, it's the main throughline of the entire argument.
placebo
in reply to godsammitdam • • •I guess I don't. After all, I can only dream of reaching you level of intellect where you call people dumb and brainless for not sharing your opinion.
godsammitdam
in reply to placebo • • •Shares AI
willington
in reply to Kaul • • •So is the nazi coowner getting ousted soon?
Right now we're at "Mullvad is part nazi, nazi adjacent, nazi lite, moderately fascist, feudalism-curious" stage.
mursejoy
in reply to willington • • •like this
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matlag
in reply to mursejoy • • •Kaul
in reply to mursejoy • • •nevyn
in reply to willington • • •Hopefully he leaves, not sure if that is possible/likely though
Right now we are at some people are genuine, some people are in denial, some people are apathetic, some people are clearly very right wing, and some people are deliberately posting clickbait and manipulative rubbish.
DharkStare
in reply to willington • • •willington
in reply to DharkStare • • •The company can be spun out into two.
Let the spun out Nazivad get their own customers separately, if they can.
Otherwise the whole company is now tainted.
nevyn
in reply to willington • • •Safeguard
in reply to Kaul • • •I sympathize, but. The paradox of tolerance is at play here. We cannot tolerate the intolerant actions from this CEO.
If the rest of the company wants to project an open/free and honest stance. They must root out and remove all intolerance.
Until then, I will not use this company.
nevyn
in reply to Safeguard • • •GaumBeist
in reply to Kaul • • •Kaul
in reply to GaumBeist • • •GaumBeist
in reply to Kaul • • •like this
cheeseharlot likes this.
starman2112
in reply to Rindogang • • •Zerush
in reply to Rindogang • • •Labor Class
in reply to Rindogang • • •chortle_tortle
in reply to Labor Class • • •SupremeDonut
in reply to Rindogang • • •Taasz/Woof
in reply to Rindogang • • •captcha_incorrect
in reply to Taasz/Woof • • •placebo
in reply to Taasz/Woof • • •HereIAm
in reply to Taasz/Woof • • •The ownership and future of Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPNnevyn
in reply to HereIAm • • •architect
in reply to Taasz/Woof • • •nevyn
in reply to architect • • •How many owners does your business have?
Mullvad has more than one.
GaumBeist
in reply to Taasz/Woof • • •nevyn
in reply to GaumBeist • • •hneerqe
in reply to Rindogang • • •This is why I don't like any people and none of their parties.
Years of uncompromised world class service. Then a person there has the audacity of having a political view (shocking!)
Now they suck and should be boycotted. This is how ingrate you look, we were lucky we even had mullvad in the first place.
秦始皇帝
in reply to hneerqe • • •hneerqe
in reply to 秦始皇帝 • • •FistingEnthusiast
in reply to hneerqe • • •hneerqe
in reply to FistingEnthusiast • • •judgy_jackdaw
in reply to FistingEnthusiast • • •Lenin's Dumbbell
in reply to hneerqe • • •Geez, Nazis don't even have to defend themselves anymore. Libs run to defend them without even asking
Doomsider
in reply to Rindogang • • •hneerqe
in reply to Rindogang • • •inclementimmigrant
in reply to hneerqe • • •orc girly
in reply to hneerqe • • •Cam
in reply to Rindogang • • •Based!
Looks like I am switching to Mullvad, especially since Mullvad's response to this "matter" is to uphold free speech and not join in on cancel culture.
Anyone who complaining about this needs to grow up and learn to respect other people for their opinion. I am certain many snowflakes have shopped at stores were the owner would be considered a "facist". I am certain I have shopped at businesses were the owner was politically different than me, but I won't go on a crusade to get the owner to step down over opinions.
"B-b-but he is a nazi!" its 2026, everyone is a nazi now because of snowflakes pointing and sputtering.
sudoer777
in reply to Cam • • •tixnou
in reply to Cam • • •uhh yeah sure it's just "snowflakes"... uh huh...
looks inside
As easy as it is to believe that people like you are as ill-intentioned and full of bullshit as the people you admire, I'd prefer to think you're just uninformed and didn't know what this was all about. I don't think that any sane person with even a vague concept of empathy would knowingly support this kind of stuff. So please do better.
forced or promoted return of non-ethnically European immigrants and their descendents back to their place of racial origin regardless of citizenship status
Contributors to Wikimedia projects (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.)obvs
in reply to Rindogang • • •gnate
in reply to obvs • • •They've claimed they'll honor refunds,fwiw:
mastodon.online/@mullvadnet/11…
Mullvad VPN (@mullvadnet@mastodon.online)
Mullvad VPN (Mastodon)whatiswrongwithyou
in reply to gnate • • •gnate
in reply to whatiswrongwithyou • • •whatiswrongwithyou
in reply to gnate • • •It’s less of an ingenuine offer issue and more of a “there’s a way to pay thats anonymous and untraceable” problem.
There’s no way to privately and anonymously confirm that the person who paid cash and is asking for a refund is who they say they are. If you have them do that then now you have a record of who they are and that can be used by the cops when they cleverly hit you with a subpoena the month after your big scandal broke.
So if you’re committed to protecting customers privacy you can’t do refunds on cash.
gnate
in reply to whatiswrongwithyou • • •whatiswrongwithyou
in reply to gnate • • •Oh they can do cc and PayPal refunds. Probably monero and bitcoin too. Wire transfers you can’t usually reverse, cash you can’t either. Cooperative merchants can refund a wire transfer, but it’s not as cut and dry as the cc, PayPal or crypto process.
And it’s possible for a rep to decide a person is who they say they are and refunding the balance of an account somehow but that requires the person give up the shield of anonymity and who would do that.
That’s the whole point of paying cash. If your vpn account gets associated, just abandon it and move on. There’s no record of ongoing payment for an investigator to trace back.
nevyn
in reply to gnate • • •nevyn
in reply to whatiswrongwithyou • • •butsbutts
in reply to Rindogang • • •Humorless4483
in reply to Rindogang • • •I renewed my account after I learned about it. Because the real Nazis are actively trying to cancel him for having an opinion. Wanting someone to be kick out of his job, to be cancelled, to be never allowed to work again because his opinion goes against yours, that’s real fascism.
I’m going to be downvoted to hell because the far left is too indoctrinated into believing that they have the only correct opinion and anyone with a different one is directly their enemy. They won’t understand that they are the fascists here but at least I tried.
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godsammitdam
in reply to Humorless4483 • • •And we're allowed to have our opinions too? The founder can do and say what he wants, but so can we? Right wingers seem to be all about free speech in one direction. No one is entitled to our money. And many of us would rather not have our money, a significant portion of which going to the founder, redirected to a party advocating for ethnic cleansing. Which would make people need a vpn more via persecution. Not to mention a founder with 50%+ ownership would have significant sway on the company itself.
For those looking for other options:
vpn.techlore.tech/
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u…
And before you try to downplay what the party stands for:
friatider.se/ma
... Show more...And we're allowed to have our opinions too? The founder can do and say what he wants, but so can we? Right wingers seem to be all about free speech in one direction. No one is entitled to our money. And many of us would rather not have our money, a significant portion of which going to the founder, redirected to a party advocating for ethnic cleansing. Which would make people need a vpn more via persecution. Not to mention a founder with 50%+ ownership would have significant sway on the company itself.
For those looking for other options:
vpn.techlore.tech/
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u…
And before you try to downplay what the party stands for:
friatider.se/markus-allard-om-…
VPN Comparison: IVPN, Mullvad, Proton VPN & more | Techlore
Techloremajster
in reply to godsammitdam • • •FistingEnthusiast
in reply to Humorless4483 • • •You're a real dickhead
Don't breed
lenz
in reply to Humorless4483 • • •Your money is given to a man.
That man gives it to nazis.
You: but he's the middle man! That means he can do whatever he wants with the money I give him, and even though I know he'll give it to nazis, I'm fine with that! In fact, I'll give him MORE money! The left is so indoctrinated for thinking my actions are wrong! It's CANCELLING someone if you refuse to given them money! Being mean to a nazi supporter by refusing to give him my money is the REAL fascism!
sp3ctre
in reply to Rindogang • • •It's pretty easy in my opinion. We see, that right wing shit spreads around the world.
My consequences will be: Any company supporting this shit (even indirectly) will not be paid with my money in the future.
Too bad my subscription for a year has been paid a few weeks ago....
gnate
in reply to sp3ctre • • •They've offered refunds for those who are upset about the owner's actions. Not condoning anything, but maybe worth getting your money back.
mastodon.online/@mullvadnet/11…
Mullvad VPN (@mullvadnet@mastodon.online)
Mullvad VPN (Mastodon)sp3ctre
in reply to gnate • • •nevyn
in reply to gnate • • •Zerush
in reply to Rindogang • • •With this the only European browser is Vivaldi, by its own structure as a cooperative, owned by the employees, quite far from the right. The only thing they sponsor is a local football club in Iceland.
I hope that KDE would improve one day its independent Konqueror browser (KHTML/ Qt engine, ancestor of WebKit and Blink, Linux only), to have some more alternatives in the EU. It works as browser AND file manager, but due to a good improvement very slow nowadays.
Konqueror
Konquerormarcie (she/her)
in reply to Zerush • • •Mullvad browser is still mostly maintained by the Tor project and doesn't phone home, still one of the best choices for a no fingerprint browser even if you use a different vpn for it. Biggest downside imo is it's not on Android. It's entirely FOSS and again, no phoning home on an action, so it doesn't matter what the creator thinks.
My personal use case for tracking is different from others, I mostly want to avoid surveillance capitalism. It's genuinely a problem for my PTSD, if I talk about my PTSD on a corporate app I'll get spammed with triggering shit 24/7 because they like to spam you with "solutions" and self help and news for crimes against women like it's my special interest. Obviously I would love to avoid state surveillance but you're not getting that from any vpn server domiciled in the west, it'd have to be in a geopolitical enemy of the west e.g. Russia or China or Serbia and most people would not like the latency that involves.
G_M0N3Y_2503
in reply to marcie (she/her) • • •If you cut out buffer bloat it's easy to forget that everything is only slightly slower, it's the inconsistency in the latency that makes you really notice. With a base of ~130ms when it doubles for those first couple of packets of every page load you really feel it, as long as it's smooth, your brain can adjust.
I have it for my whole house and no one notices/complains.
waveform.com/tools/bufferbloat
github.com/lynxthecat/CAKE-aut…
That said, it's kind of niche then more niche to run it on the VPN too, I wish it were more accessible.
Bufferbloat and Internet Speed Test - Waveform
WaveformZerush
in reply to marcie (she/her) • • •FOSS nowadays is less and less a guarantee, since Google, M$, Amazon and Fakebook are one of the biggest contributers of FOSS (naturally all with their corresponding tracking APIs).
Currently the company ethics, transparency and trust are a very important. At least for me, it's not acceptable when a service is used to sponsor right wing or nazi parties.
It's not direct Mullvad, but their CEO paid by this product.
Faschism is advancing in a creepy manner and at least I'm not willing to support it in any way.
PD. TOR was developed by the US army and secret services and they still owned the onion server. The future and free internet will not be the Onion, but I2P and decentralized networks, out of the reach from big brother corps.
whatiswrongwithyou
in reply to marcie (she/her) • • •traxex
in reply to Rindogang • • •like this
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VonReposti
in reply to traxex • • •mathemachristian[he]
in reply to traxex • • •Assata Shakur
traxex
in reply to mathemachristian[he] • • •87Six
in reply to Rindogang • • •I honestly don't give a damn. They make the best VPN and so I buy it. That's the end of it.
Funding pedophiles isn't stopping most of the american population from paying their taxes either.
madcaesar
in reply to 87Six • • •nevyn
in reply to madcaesar • • •architect
in reply to 87Six • • •Most Americans do not pay an income tax. That’s how broke bitches be. Paying social security etc is not a tax.
So there’s nothing for them to stop paying.
AlteredEgo
in reply to Rindogang • • •That ideology sounds wild lol. Almost literal "national - socialism"?
The issue is rich people using undemocratic power to fund things like this. Which ironically sounds exactly like the “Transferiat” siphoning money and power from VPN users to funnel it into unwanted, fringe channels.
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justaman123
in reply to AlteredEgo • • •AlteredEgo
in reply to justaman123 • • •To be fair, much of this could be flak, deliberate distortion and slander by the neoliberal forces in Sweden. You can't trust the mainstream media not to trash anything that isn't neoliberal.
This all sounds great.
... Show more...And I suspect a clear majority of Europeans are also against immigration or reducing how many refugees we take in thanks to fucking imperialist wars by the elite. There is nothing "far right" about this. I'm also for sending refugees back (EDIT: After i
To be fair, much of this could be flak, deliberate distortion and slander by the neoliberal forces in Sweden. You can't trust the mainstream media not to trash anything that isn't neoliberal.
This all sounds great.
And I suspect a clear majority of Europeans are also against immigration or reducing how many refugees we take in thanks to fucking imperialist wars by the elite. There is nothing "far right" about this. I'm also for sending refugees back (EDIT: After it's safe to send them back!) and strictly limiting immigration in my country. The only real issue is that "remigration" is apparently code word for ethnic cleansing.
The larger issue is that this ideology sounds pretty half baked and too simple for the complexity of the current state of things.
justaman123
in reply to AlteredEgo • • •AlteredEgo
in reply to justaman123 • • •kossa
in reply to AlteredEgo • • •like this
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AlteredEgo
in reply to kossa • • •From what I read remigration is ethnic cleansing by mass deportation. I hadn't even heard of the term before. I guess detention (or concentration?) camps are then inevitable too, we're seeing remigration right now in the US. Everyone just watches and lets it happen.
It should go without saying that I'm sarcastic and absolutely against such inhuman policies and that it's an entirely different thing from being against immigration and unlimited refugees in Europe. Different to the USA which is still mostly empty and an immigration country.
Sweden is now 8.1% Muslim. Even if most are moderate or non-practicing, that's well past a limit where you can expect "assimilation". Whatever that is supposed to mean, are we the Borg?
Does your own country and it's culture mean anything? Are you allowed to have and preserve a cultural identity? Does ideal diversity and internationalism mean homogenity globally? I don't think so.
So yeah, remigration is a far right dogwhistle, but calling anyone in favor of sensible limits on immigration/refugees a racist or xenoph
... Show more...From what I read remigration is ethnic cleansing by mass deportation. I hadn't even heard of the term before. I guess detention (or concentration?) camps are then inevitable too, we're seeing remigration right now in the US. Everyone just watches and lets it happen.
It should go without saying that I'm sarcastic and absolutely against such inhuman policies and that it's an entirely different thing from being against immigration and unlimited refugees in Europe. Different to the USA which is still mostly empty and an immigration country.
Sweden is now 8.1% Muslim. Even if most are moderate or non-practicing, that's well past a limit where you can expect "assimilation". Whatever that is supposed to mean, are we the Borg?
Does your own country and it's culture mean anything? Are you allowed to have and preserve a cultural identity? Does ideal diversity and internationalism mean homogenity globally? I don't think so.
So yeah, remigration is a far right dogwhistle, but calling anyone in favor of sensible limits on immigration/refugees a racist or xenophobe is a neoliberal talking point.
Anyway, climate change could create something like a billion refugees until the end of the century. That would make ideology pretty much irrelevant.
kossa
in reply to AlteredEgo • • •Yes, those are inevitable. Even the death camps within, it's not about detention. Like, the "real nazis" themselves wanted to "remigrate" jews to Madagascar. That was their original plan to get rid of them
Didn't work, so they needed to genocide. And that shit will happen again while we all watch and debate whether "remigration" is a far-right thing and whether donating to a literal nazi party makes you a nazi ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
cheeseharlot
in reply to AlteredEgo • • •Yeah, just the small issue of genocide, but other than that, the rest of their policies are only moderate white supremacist ones.
AlteredEgo
in reply to cheeseharlot • • •cheeseharlot
in reply to AlteredEgo • • •AlteredEgo
in reply to cheeseharlot • • •Ethnic cleansing can mean mass deportation, like in the US right now. You really think that genocide? Would deporting the 1.1 million Ukrainian refugees in Germany back to Ukraine be genocide?
Ethnic cleansing sounds vile enough. No need to call it genocide, which it isn't.
jmp242
in reply to AlteredEgo • • •I'm not even sure I'd call the mass deportation in the US Ethnic Clensing. Part of the problem is it targets minorities, but not one specific minority, and the extent it targets minorities under cover of law is targeting non-citizens. Now, I think the whole thing is horrible, and bad policy. But it seems different to me from openly taking a specific group that are citizens and deporting them en masse.
Now - it's made worse by the wink and nod the US sort of used for decades and never actually made good / modern immigration policy.
I think it's possible to be someone who's for mass deportation of people not legally in a country and not be someone who supports genocide OR ethnic clensing. It can actually be a simple "rule of law" sort of position. I don't think MAGA is that sort of person, or at least many seem to be perfectly happy with ethnic clensing as an idea, but I also don't think they're actually happy to stop at non-citizens. It's just they haven't gotten through the "illegals" yet.
Maybe a good thread the needle would be if you're in the country for 10 ye
... Show more...I'm not even sure I'd call the mass deportation in the US Ethnic Clensing. Part of the problem is it targets minorities, but not one specific minority, and the extent it targets minorities under cover of law is targeting non-citizens. Now, I think the whole thing is horrible, and bad policy. But it seems different to me from openly taking a specific group that are citizens and deporting them en masse.
Now - it's made worse by the wink and nod the US sort of used for decades and never actually made good / modern immigration policy.
I think it's possible to be someone who's for mass deportation of people not legally in a country and not be someone who supports genocide OR ethnic clensing. It can actually be a simple "rule of law" sort of position. I don't think MAGA is that sort of person, or at least many seem to be perfectly happy with ethnic clensing as an idea, but I also don't think they're actually happy to stop at non-citizens. It's just they haven't gotten through the "illegals" yet.
Maybe a good thread the needle would be if you're in the country for 10 years (or some amount of time) without getting deported, a "statute of limitations" has then expired and you're now a citizen. I'm sure that wouldn't pass many people's politics, but it would to my mind hold that if the government didn't care for that long, you can't be that much of an actual problem, and shouldn't be kicked out anymore because you've also likely integrated into communities etc.
AlteredEgo
in reply to jmp242 • • •judgy_jackdaw
in reply to Rindogang • • •Dalkor
in reply to judgy_jackdaw • • •I think information is useful. I see no problem giving people the information and vehicles for making decisions... but as a society I do think we need to get to a place where we acknowledge that everyone has their own line and trust they are making the best decisions they can be, given the information they have.
I've asked the same question for situations where the court of public appeal has changed the donation decisions and yet people choose to castigate because they believe repreations to counteract their donations are due. I believe progress is progress and it should be rewarded, that is my line. Others will disagree and that's fine.
bloogoose
in reply to Rindogang • • •You guys are gonna lose your shit when you find out where your tax dollars are winding up... Or your phone purchase dollars... Or your electricity bill dollars...
Are you alive and spending? If the answer is yes, congratulations you cause pain and suffering.
Ensign_Crab
in reply to bloogoose • • •bloogoose
in reply to Ensign_Crab • • •Ensign_Crab
in reply to bloogoose • • •nevyn
in reply to bloogoose • • •Some of us try to make conscientious choices though, we do not assume that every dollar that flows through our hands doesn't have blood on it, but we make choices based on the information we find.
Your 'argument' while accurate, is also encouraging apathy.
bloogoose
in reply to nevyn • • •What's the difference in apathy and inaction?
Nothing.
nevyn
in reply to bloogoose • • •In reality nothing
I was refunded, I was not apathetic, I make conscientious choices based on the information I am able to obtain.
'If in doubt, find out, or go without'
I'm never going to assume I know everything, or that everything is static, but I approach corporations, governments, social media, humanity, cynically... for good reason.
cheeseharlot
in reply to bloogoose • • •My phone company is evil, sure. And individual consumer choice has limited utility in a world where all the phone companies are evil, which is why consumers should get organized.
But if I find out that my evil phone company is the primary financier of my or another country's most prominent Nazi party that's advocating for Nazi policies, I'm switching to the other evil phone company. Not a difficult decision?
bloogoose
in reply to cheeseharlot • • •cheeseharlot
in reply to bloogoose • • •paultimate14
in reply to Rindogang • • •someonesmall
in reply to paultimate14 • • •starsoaked_lily
in reply to paultimate14 • • •(recommended by privacyguides.org)
gleaminggoat
in reply to Rindogang • • •This seems pretty sensationalized. Wikipedia does not classify them as a far right party. "Some key issues for the Örebro Party locally include strong secularism, a 30-hour workweek with retained pay, lowered wages for politicians, expanded social housing, abolishing preschool-fees, making public transport free of charge,[4] ending taxpayer funding of what it sees as wasteful sculptures, monuments and art and introducing free dental care."
Yeah those Nazis are always for sure advocating for social housing and a 30 hour work week. /s
axx
in reply to gleaminggoat • • •Yeah and it's not Mullvad itself but the cofounder with his personal money (which of course he has for being the Mullvad cofounder and handsomely paid co-CEO, I expect).
Still, nuance?
nevyn
in reply to axx • • •ZeroHora
in reply to gleaminggoat • • •kossa
in reply to gleaminggoat • • •Very convenient how you skipped the next sentence:
Oh, wow. Remigration is a link to another wiki page. Let's learn something about it:
Uh. That sounds pretty Nazi to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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bitwolf
in reply to Rindogang • • •So.. Is there any VPN provider without controversy?
I think Mullvad was the last one I knew of.
They're either lying about logging, lying about backdoors, or apparently Nazis?
dektep
in reply to bitwolf • • •someonesmall
in reply to bitwolf • • •freddo
in reply to someonesmall • • •I just bought the 2/3 days and tried around 10 servers with wireguard and the best speed that I got was 500Mbit/s which is half of my speed.
Also, most of them did not even pass 100Mbit/s.
Am I doing something wrong?
I had great speeds with mullvad with the respective set-up.
starsoaked_lily
in reply to bitwolf • • •(recommended by privacyguides.org)
AfricanExpansionist
in reply to bitwolf • • •JigglySackles
in reply to Rindogang • • •r3plic
in reply to JigglySackles • • •JigglySackles
in reply to r3plic • • •T0RB1T
in reply to Rindogang • • •Once again, it feels like too much money and power just makes people into freaks. None are completely immune, too few are effectively resistant.
When money makes you complicit in the system where money is power, there is no way to leverage money to fix the system unless you're somehow completely insulated from direct personal gain.
Morality, ethics, humanity... These must be maintained, have we all just moved on? Maybe it's just me that's given up.
JillyB
in reply to T0RB1T • • •I believe that a person's world view, ethics, moral system, etc is almost entirely molded to fit their incentives. When I was a manufacturing engineer, I was effectively automating people's jobs. I created an elaborate narrative that not only let me off the hook, but made me the good guy. I was making the workers more productive and therefore setting the stage for them to negotiate better pay or treatment. That plant closed down 3 years later.
If everyone who punched a child in the face received $1000, people would initially be appalled by anybody who would take that money. After a while, people would start to fondly remember moments when they had been beaten or hurt. They would consider it a vital part of growing up. "Pain is what makes us strong". People would proudly announce how many children they had punched. It would completely change the morals of everyone with the opportunity to receive the benefit.
Many people have personal evidence of this. A work friend suddenly becomes a prick when they get promoted to supervisor. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". "It i
... Show more...I believe that a person's world view, ethics, moral system, etc is almost entirely molded to fit their incentives. When I was a manufacturing engineer, I was effectively automating people's jobs. I created an elaborate narrative that not only let me off the hook, but made me the good guy. I was making the workers more productive and therefore setting the stage for them to negotiate better pay or treatment. That plant closed down 3 years later.
If everyone who punched a child in the face received $1000, people would initially be appalled by anybody who would take that money. After a while, people would start to fondly remember moments when they had been beaten or hurt. They would consider it a vital part of growing up. "Pain is what makes us strong". People would proudly announce how many children they had punched. It would completely change the morals of everyone with the opportunity to receive the benefit.
Many people have personal evidence of this. A work friend suddenly becomes a prick when they get promoted to supervisor. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it". In this case, A CEO feels his power in society threatened and he adopts whatever politics is needed to ensure he retains power. He isn't doing this out of cold calculus. He will actually believe the politics because that's what fits his incentives and makes him the good guy, actually.
oyzmo
in reply to Rindogang • • •airikr
in reply to Rindogang • • •The company Mullvad do not support nor like Daniel Berntsson's donation which is a personal donation from Daniel himself.
Mullvad as a company do not support far-right.
korben.info/en/mullvad-cofound…
techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-…
Mullvad's co-founder is bankrolling the far right
Manuel Dorne (Korben)