Toronto, Canada, April 28th, 2025, CyberNewsWire
In a significant legal development that echoes throughout the privacy technology sector, Yegor Sak, founder of the well-known privacy-focused Virtual Private Network (VPN) service, Windscribe, has been fully acquitted by a court in Athens, Greece. This verdict follows a tumultuous two-year legal battle in which Sak himself faced charges linked to alleged internet offenses committed by unidentified users of Windscribe’s services.
The case stemmed from accusations that a Windscribe-operated server located in Finland had been utilized to impact a system in Greece. Greek law enforcement, in collaboration with INTERPOL, traced the offending IP address back to Windscribe’s infrastructure. However, in a marked departure from standard international protocols, Greek authorities chose to pursue criminal charges directly against Sak, rather than seeking appropriate information through the traditional corporate request channels typically utilized in cases involving internet infrastructure.
“This was not just about me,” Sak expressed in a post-verdict statement. “It was about defining a rigorous legal boundary around the responsibilities and roles of privacy infrastructure providers. Since we operate on a no-logs policy, we cannot provide data that simply does not exist.”
On April 11, 2025, the court officially dismissed all charges against him, citing insufficient evidence to establish any wrongdoing on Sak’s part or that of Windscribe. This dismissal has broader ramifications, particularly for privacy infrastructure providers, as it reaffirms the validity of no-logs policies in legal contexts.
A Precedent with Global Implications
The legal proceedings unfolded amid increasing scrutiny and pressure on privacy technology companies across the globe. Typically, law enforcement agencies resort to issuing subpoenas to VPN providers when there is a suspicion of criminal activity. Windscribe, in line with its strict no-logs policy, has commonly responded that it cannot produce user data—an assertion that is generally accepted without further escalation.
However, this case diverged sharply from the norm. After the Finnish data center provider was subpoenaed, leading to the revelation of Sak’s identity, the Greek authorities swiftly initiated criminal proceedings against him. This approach marked a departure from the usual protocol wherein VPN companies are first contacted for information prior to any legal escalation.
Sak warned, “This sets a concerning precedent for anyone who owns servers that could potentially be misused by others. If this precedent is upheld, it could lead to the criminalization of ownership for actions taken by anonymous users.”
The Philosophy Behind Windscribe’s No-Logs Policy
Windscribe’s philosophy is entrenched in the belief that the internet should be free from censorship, personal data harvesting, targeted advertising, and geographic restrictions. These ethical principles guide the company’s operations. The firm refuses to pay for advertisements or promoted content, which is a critical element of its operational strategy and overall philosophy.
Sak reiterated that the company remains totally committed to user privacy and operational transparency. “Some people argue that VPN services should be banned due to misuse by a handful of individuals,” he commented. “Using that logic, we should also ban hammers and cars, as they can be misused as well.”
The case significantly highlights a fundamental dilemma that privacy providers face: assisting investigative efforts often necessitates the collection of user logs—something that inherently undermines trust and utility in a service designed to protect user anonymity.
Sak elaborated, “Today it’s hacking. Tomorrow it could be deemed a crime to speak ill of a dictator. We’d rather pursue legal battles than betray the trust of our users.”
About Windscribe
Founded in 2016, Windscribe has become a trusted provider of VPN and privacy tools for millions of users worldwide, specializing in safeguarding online privacy and circumventing censorship. The company’s strict no-logs policy, coupled with open-source applications and a strong advocacy for user rights, positions Windscribe as one of the most transparent and principled entities within the privacy tech domain.
For additional information, interested individuals can visit the official website at Windscribe.
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This ruling not only vindicates Sak but also reinforces the importance of privacy infrastructure compliance and the need for clear legal frameworks supporting no-logs policies. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this case will likely resonate throughout the industry, prompting renewed discussions on privacy, legality, and the responsibilities of internet service providers.