WangGuard Blocks VPN Providers: Discriminates Against Privacy

Earlier this week I came across a blog that I liked, and I wanted to submit a guest blog to it. Guest blogging is an old school relationship building technique that has been around since the beginning of the Internet, and will outlast anyone who tries to stop it: I’m talking to you Google and WangGuard.

When I went to register for this blog I was greeted with a message that I was not allowed to register as I could be a bot. I assure you, my readers, that I am indeed a human being. The problem is that WangGuard blocks VPN providers, and proxy addresses, across the board. They are denying your ability to protect yourself at a crucial moment: when you’re entering your personal information.

WangGuard blocks VPN providers

How do I know that this was the case? Simple – I asked the WangGuard webmasters why their program thought I was a robot. I’m going to leave names out, but there was no confidentiality agreement within the message signature so I feel free to post this:

“Your email was not blocked, it was your IP. You used a proxy or VPN. Please don’t use it for register or you will be blocked. After signup you can use it again.”

When I’m signing up and entering my personal information is a CRUCIAL moment, maybe one of the most important moments for my VPN service. I was bothered by this, so I asked why this was happening. I was given more information:

“The problem is 90% of spammers and sploggers are using VPN. And 98% of VPN users are spammers or Sploggers. You only needs to deactivate the VPN for register, after that, you can use it again.”

I stated that I thought that WangGuard blocking VPN providers based on completely made up data (98%? Really? Can I see the study?) was irresponsible. There are plenty of reasons why people use a VPN service:

• Protecting themselves while using public WiFi
• Unlocking geo-blocked content
• Remaining anonymous online
• Maintaining the confidentiality of a company

No comment came back my way when I pointed this out about how WangGuard blocks VPN providers without any regard for privacy at the moment when someone is deciding on their password.

WangGuard blocks VPN providers: Why it’s a problem

WangGuard is used by webmasters who want to open their blogs up to guest posting via a WordPress registration process, but who don’t want to be subjected to the incredible glut of spam registrations which come their way. If the best that we’ve come up with is blocking VPN providers blindly, then this tech is failing us.

I’m not going to say that something shouldn’t be done, all kinds of spam are an issue, but this ham fisted approach seems less than eloquent to me. It is also setting a precedent for those who want to tear down net neutrality and privacy. I’m looking at you, Hulu.

I’m not saying that you should write to WangGuard and question their policy of blocking all VPN providers and web proxy tools, undermining your personal web security, but I will say that their publicly published email address is admin@wangguard.com.

Feature image via Rawpixel / Shutterstock