Articles by Chiara Castro, News Editor (Tech Software)

Chiara is a multimedia journalist committed to covering stories to help promote the rights and denounce the abuses of the digital side of life – wherever cybersecurity, markets, and politics tangle up. She believes an open, uncensored, and private internet is a basic human need and wants to use her knowledge of VPNs to help readers take back control. She writes news, interviews, and analysis on data privacy, online censorship, digital rights, tech policies, and security software, with a special focus on VPNs, for TechRadar and TechRadar Pro. Got a story, tip-off, or something tech-interesting to say? Reach out to chiara.castro@futurenet.com

With a passion for digital storytelling in all its forms, she also loves photography, video making, and podcasting. When she isn't working at her laptop, you can find her reading a book with a glass of wine or beer in her hand. Literature was probably the primary reason for her interest in foreign languages. Italian, English, Spanish, and French (in order) so far. She worked and studied across Italy, the UK, and New Zealand, then obtained a MA in International Journalism from Cardiff University. Originally from Milan, Italy, she has been based in Bristol, UK, since 2018.

Articles by: Chiara Castro

Proton Mail app (promo image) on the left, India's flag on the right

Proton Mail hit with blocking order in India - here's everything we know so far

By Chiara Castro published 30 April 25

Proton Mail could soon stop working in India after being hit by a legal blocking order. Here's all you need to know.

Case dismissed – Windscribe wins landmark no-log VPN lawsuit in Greece

By Chiara Castro published 30 April 25

The Court decision to dismiss the case confirms VPNs' no-logs policy as a valid legal defense. Here's why it matters.

Surfshark has launched a free, privacy-first, public DNS service - here's what you need to know

By Chiara Castro published 30 April 25

Surfshark becomes the first company to unveil a pubic DNS to help privacy-conscious individuals and organizations break free from online tracking.

The best Android VPN apps 2025

By Rob Dunne last updated 29 April 25

VPN Boost your mobile privacy and unblock your tablet's potential with the best Android VPN on the market.

Beware, another ChatGPT trend threatens your privacy – here's how to stay safe

By Chiara Castro published 25 April 25

The latest viral AI trend is doing "reverse location search" from photos – yet another privacy and security nightmare is waiting to happen. We asked some experts for some tips to stay safe.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) hugs Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at a signing ceremony in the Great Hall of the People on February 5, 2025 in Beijing, China.

China is helping Pakistan build a Great Firewall-like internet censorship system – here's what you need to know

By Chiara Castro published 24 April 25

Huawei is among several Chinese companies involved in the almost one-year-long project

AI apps on smartphone screen, finger tapping on DeepSeek app

DeepSeek is "a profound threat" to national security and privacy, according to the US Congress

By Chiara Castro published 24 April 25

A new report into DeepSeek AI revealed data privacy and security issues, the use of tracking tools, the spread of propaganda, and more. Here's all you need to know.

A man in the crowd at the Pyramid Stage who knows how to get Glastonbury tickets

Glastonbury 2025 ticket resale is here: 4 killer tips to improve your chances

By Chiara Castro last updated 24 April 25

From exploiting the power of proxies and VPNs to buddying up with friends, four great tips to get Glastonbury tickets for 2025 and avoid disappointment.

avel Durov, chief executive officer of Telegram, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016.

Telegram pledges to exit the market rather than "undermine encryption with backdoors"

By Chiara Castro published 23 April 25

Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, reacts to the widespread push for creating encryption backdoors, reaffirming the company's commitment to users' privacy and security.

"More than a recognition" – PureVPN obtains the VPN Trust Seal to back up its privacy, security, and transparency claims

By Chiara Castro published 23 April 25

PureVPN earned the VPN Trust Seal accreditation – again. Here's why it matters.

Pakistan grants first VPN licenses in a bid to regulate VPN usage in the country

By Chiara Castro published 22 April 25

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) urges all VPN providers to obtain a license to avoid potential service disruptions. Here's all you need to know.

IPVanish's malware protection confirmed among the best on the market

By Chiara Castro published 18 April 25

The technology fueling IPVanish malware and tracker blocker, VIPRE Advanced Security received the highest rating in the latest AV-Comparatives' test.

Meta is set to train its AI models with Europeans' public data, and you can stop it doing so

By Chiara Castro published 17 April 25

The Big Tech giant resumes its AI training plan, after pausing the launch of Meta AI amid EU data regulators' concerns.

Apple has removed yet another popular VPN app from its Russian App Store

By Chiara Castro published 17 April 25

NORSE Labs DVPN adds to the over 100 VPN apps currently unavailable in Russia's Apple App Store. Here's all you need to know.

A Ghibli-style AI image generated on a smartphone on the left, AI doll trends on Instagram feed on the right

If you want to turn yourself into an AI doll, at least do it safely

By Chiara Castro published 17 April 25

Experts share some tips on how to minimize the privacy and security risks of viral AI trends. Here's all you need to know.

A Surfshark user choosing from a number of server regions on their laptop

Surfshark finally adds split tunneling on macOS – making it one of the few VPNs to have it

By Chiara Castro published 16 April 25

Surfshark Bypasser finally lands on macOS, but it's also available on Windows, Android, iOS, and a browser extension. Here's how you should use it.

Grok AI is under investigation in the EU over potential GDPR violations – here's what you need to know

By Chiara Castro published 16 April 25

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Young girl early teens playing on her phone and listening to music wearing headphones

Florida wants an encryption backdoor – in the name of children’s safety

By Chiara Castro published 15 April 25

Instead of protecting minors using social media, experts warn that Florida's bill will end up making them less safe online. Here's all you need to know.

Everyone wants the viral AI doll – but it’s a privacy nightmare waiting to happen

By Chiara Castro published 15 April 25

Millions have already given away their face and sensitive data to jump on the latest viral AI trend – and that's bad for your privacy and security.

The best VPN for Canada in 2025

By Chiara Castro last updated 14 April 25

VPN With a Canada VPN, you can boost your digital privacy and unblock international content—here are my top five picks.

World Quantum Day – is the internet ready for the "biggest security threat of all time"?

By Chiara Castro published 14 April 25

Q&A Tuta explains the importance of quantum-resistant encryption and its work in the field

Hand with mobile phone and VPN application with the EU flag on a laptop's screen on the background

"Weakening encryption would make European security worse" – the VPN industry reacts to the EU's plan for end-to-end encryption backdoors

By Chiara Castro published 12 April 25

ProtectEU is the first step into the EU Commission's strategy to lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement

Quantum computing concept. Digital communication network. Technological abstract.

Is it possible that quantum computing ends up saving encryption? Here's how it could happen

By Chiara Castro published 11 April 25

According to Tuta Mail, the need for quantum-safe cryptography "could help raise awareness among politicians" and halt efforts to weaken encryption.

Independent audit confirms IPVanish never logs your data

By Chiara Castro published 10 April 25

In a boost of transparency, IPVanish unveils successful no-log audit and new Trust Center resource. Here's all you need to know.

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, candidate for the Gabonese presidential election during his campaign opening rally at the Amitie stadium in Libreville on March 29, 2025.

Gabon elections – "We urge authorities to ensure unrestricted access to the internet"

By Chiara Castro published 10 April 25

The internet went down in 2023, the last time citizens headed to the polls

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