"Privacy isn’t just a buzzword" – independent audit confirms NordVPN doesn't store your data

A hand holds a smartphone displaying the NordVPN logo

Independent auditors have confirmed that one of the best VPN providers never stored your data.

Security experts at leading auditing firm Deloitte inspected NordVPN's server configuration and relevant IT systems to ensure data related to users' activities is never logged as stated in its privacy policy. The independent audit found the VPN's infrastructure to be "properly prepared," meaning the provider cannot know anything about online user activity when connected to the service.

NordVPN regularly puts its security and privacy infrastructure under independent scrutiny as a way of "showing our users that we care about their privacy." This is the fifth time, in fact, the popular VPN provider has proved its no-logs claims with an external audit since 2018.

NordVPN 5th no-log audit

Deloitte auditors conducted a series of privacy and security analysis between November 18 to December 20, 2024.

This included inquiries with NordVPN employees, an inspection of all types of VPN servers the provider offers (standard servers, double servers, obfuscated servers, onion over VPN, and P2P servers), their configuration, and their deployment, as well as a review of all the relevant privacy settings and procedures.

After this thorough analysis, experts concluded that the VPN is indeed designed in accordance with its no-log claims as "the configuration of IT systems and management of the supporting IT operations is properly prepared."

If you're subscribed to NordVPN, you can access the full audit report by logging in to your Nord Account and tapping on the report section in the user control panel.

Commenting on the findings, CTO at NordVPN, Marijus Briedis, said: "The trust we earn from our customers underscores everything we do in the cybersecurity industry. To maintain that trust, we not only strive each year to innovate and develop world-leading cybersecurity products, but we also fully commit to our promise not to monitor or record our users’ online traffic."

As mentioned earlier, this is the 5th time the team successfully put its no-log privacy policy under external scrutiny since 2018 – with the latest assessment conducted in 2023 – showing the company's continuous commitment to privacy.

"Having this assurance reaffirmed by independent, globally respected researchers for the fifth time demonstrates that privacy isn’t just a buzzword at NordVPN – it’s in our DNA," Briedis concluded.

The importance of using a no-log VPN

Using a trustworthy no-log VPN is your guarantee that no personal information or usage data can ever be collected and then linked to you or your online activities.

This is why a strict no-log policy (bonus points if its regularly independently audited) should be your main priority when choosing a virtual private network service, especially if your main use case is better online privacy.

Privacy isn’t just a buzzword at NordVPN – it’s in our DNA

Marijus Briedis, NordVPN

It's worth noting, however, that even no-log VPNs need to collect some basic data in order to work properly. These include the number of users connecting to the same server as well as the email address associated with a user's account. Nonetheless, these details won't be enough to identify you online or anything you do when connected to the VPN app.

Not having your usage data stored on the VPN servers is advantageous as, even in the case that a hacker or government manages to breach the provider's security network, your sensitive information won't be there.

The real-life importance of a no-log policy has already been proven on a few occasions across the VPN industry. In one such instance, Swedish authorities were left empty-handed after an inconclusive police raid on Mullvad's servers failed to find any stored users' details.

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

TOPICS
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 writes news, interviews, and analysis on data privacy, online censorship, digital rights, cybercrime, 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

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
A repeating pattern of pink magnifying glasses on a light blue background
Why do VPN audits matter?
NordVPN running on a desktop, mobile devices, Apple TV, a router and a game console
NordVPN reacts to results from its latest security audit
best Secure VPN
Secure VPN providers 2025: safe options for the best security and encryption
Outlook Calendar on a Tablet
What we learned from VPNs in 2024
A VPN running on a mobile device
A new era for VPN testing? ATMSO publishes the first-ever testing standards in an "important milestone"
VPN apps running on various devices during TechRadar's testing
The best VPN service 2025
Latest in VPN
A computer file surrounded by red laser beams
Cover your tracks: the risk of sending unencrypted files
Using an Amazon Fire Stick on a Smart TV
How to use a VPN with Fire Stick
Close up of PS5 DualSense controller leaning on a PS5
5 reasons your PS5 needs a VPN
Harry Halpin, CEO and co-founder of Nym Technologies, and Chelsea Manning, Nym Technlogies' security consultant, on stage at the Frontline Club in London during the NymVPN launch on March 13, 2025.
NymVPN is now live – here's everything you need to know
Tor
What is Onion over VPN?
Green background featuring laptop with connect button
I tried the "world's most secure VPN" and while it's not the VPN you'll want, you'll need it sooner than you think
Latest in News
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics
PowerColor Red Devil AMD RX 9070 XT graphics card shown side-on
Your next GPU could be from AMD, not Nvidia, if Team Red’s success with PC gamers continues
Intel Lunar Lake concept
Intel's Panther Lake processors won't arrive until Q1 2026 - corroborates previous delay rumors despite former Intel CEO's promise of 2025 launch
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #1149)