Using a VPN to hide your location could expose you to government surveillance

Democratic lawmakers sent lawmakers requested information six Democratic lawmakers asked the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to disclose whether US citizens connecting through VPNs lose constitutional protections.

Commercial VPNs VPNs obscure user location commercial VPNs route internet traffic through servers that can be located anywhere in the world, making origin determination harder for US intelligence.

National Security Agency NSA presumes unknown-location persons are non‑US declassified guidelines say a person whose location is unknown is presumed to be a non‑US person unless there is specific information to the contrary.

Section 702 permits warrantless targeting of foreigners, section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows warrantless collection of foreigners' communications and can sweep up messages sent by Americans.

Executive Order 12333 EO 12333 authorizes foreign surveillance without court oversight surveillance under EO 12333 proceeds under guidelines approved by the US attorney general rather than court oversight.