which is why l only use Windscribe for Netflix and PlA for all other purposes since Windscribe is a company rather new to me..
people used to warn against PIA as well because it's based in Denver, USA. but there are already proven and published cases of FBI approaching PlA for logs which PIA couldn't produce for the FB because they do not log. So although PIA falls within the "VPN 5/9/14 Eyes", at least they have proven track records that they do not log. another good thing about them is that they accept payment by Bitcoins and gift cards.
I'm aware of some VPN providers conducting earlier external audits on the security of their services and I'm also aware that PIA does not follow suit and have seen Redditors and users on PIA community questioning them on this matter. couldn't remember the exact reply but if I remember correctly they mentioned in their response that such external audits do not come cheap and most of the other VPN providers that conducts such audits usually have higher subscription cost. they felt that it's unnecessary for them to do so and eventually pass on the cost to subscribers which is an added cost that doesn't add value in user experience for you as a subscriber. on top of that, even without any external audits, they already have real life cases to prove their point.
edit* I found the reddit post and reply from PIA
https://www.reddit.com/r/PrivateInternetAccess/comments/a140c7/audit/
can see this short summary of the 5/9/14 eyes if you are interested.
https://youtu.be/M5N51k0o_8A
this is the 2nd and most recent court case of PIA's proven no logging policy when FBI requested for then to hand over information again.
https://www.technadu.com/private-internet-access-wins-against-fbi/30987/
this was the earlier 1st case where FBI approached PIA for leads but could not find any evidence like payment or email addresses used to subscribe to PIA that could be linked to the accused.
https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-providers-no-logging-claims-tested-in-fbi-case-160312/
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