Welcome to the ExpressVPN Digital Security Lab
About
Our goal at ExpressVPN is to help build a safe, private, and open internet that empowers people around the globe.
One of the tools we employ in pursuit of this goal is high-quality research. Before we can successfully approach a problem or threat, it is vital to have an in-depth understanding of it. This is where the Digital Security Lab fits in.
With a clearer perception of cyber challenges and a more diverse body of knowledge, we can all better prepare for, mitigate, and solve issues that threaten global digital rights. At the Digital Security Lab, we focus on real-world problems with a broad impact in the areas of:
Digital privacy
Cybersecurity
Access to knowledge
Information flows
Ultimately, we want to answer a basic but crucial question: How can we protect and expand our rights, including to privacy and security, in an increasingly connected world?
Mission
The ExpressVPN Digital Security Lab aims to empower consumers with useful information about their privacy, security, and rights online. We do that by:
Advancing public understanding of the online landscape.
Investigating privacy harms, producing actionable reports about security issues, and providing the guidance consumers need to better safeguard their digital lives.
Expanding the reach of research and breaking down complex technical problems into results that are accessible to everyone.
Research
Opioid addiction treatment and recovery apps
Digital Security Lab studied privacy and security risks associated with ten apps used for opioid addiction treatment and recovery. One finding was consistent access to unique identifiers, which was particularly alarming given the sensitivity surrounding health and substance use issues, and the fast rise of telehealth products. Read the research report.
Location surveillance research
The ExpressVPN Digital Security Lab conducted extensive research on a pervasive privacy problem: Location tracking of consumers via smartphone apps. Our research identified location tracker SDKs in 450 apps, which have been cumulatively downloaded at least 1.7 billion times. Read the research findings.
Leak testing tools
Rigorous, regular testing is key to ensuring a VPN service protects against leaks. As part of our investment into user privacy and security, ExpressVPN has developed an extensible suite of leak testing tools designed for both manual and automated regression testing. Learn more about these tools.
Ongoing research
These are some of the research topics we are currently pursuing:
Mobile app privacy
IoT security issues
Proximity tracking and location surveillance
Censorship, internet filtering, and connectivity
Get in touch
We welcome researchers, academics, developers, and others to join us in our effort to improve online privacy and security. Please drop us a line at digital-security-lab@expressvpn.com if you’d like to collaborate or speak to our research team. You can also send us tips anonymously via OnionShare.