A leading VPN service has just launched a rather provocative poster campaign to raise awareness of the need to stay protected while browsing the web.
Hide.me has decided to target Russia amid a growing number of suspicious deaths linked to those who question the war in Ukraine and the political views of the Kremlin.
The bold billboards, which refer to talking about Russian politics online without being the victim of an "accident", have been appearing in London since December 13.
The campaign, co-developed with creative agency Spellcaster, aims to get more people to use a VPN as it can be a necessary tool to protect your security online and offline.
1/2 We have launched a new #billboard campaign in #London. We want to speak up and empower others to do so, and we hope these billboards do. pic.twitter.com/zqEGyB9bRvDec 12, 2022
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"Freedom of expression is threatened"
"We mainly wanted to raise awareness about online safety, which can also have real-life implications. In some cases, it can mean the difference between life and death," Hide.me CEO Sebastian Schaub told TechRadar. .
In fact, the invasion of Ukraine was followed by a series of mysterious deaths (opens in a new tab) among Russian oligarchs and others who criticize Putin's actions online.
“People should have freedom online without having to worry about their security,” Schaub said. "The fact is that free speech is under threat and tools like a VPN are becoming essential for consumers."
With 10 years of experience behind it and a community of more than 25 million users between its free VPN and its premium service, Hide.me hopes to allow more and more people to surf the web freely and safely.
A VPN is a tool that fakes people's real location while encrypting all data leaving their devices. This means they can bypass censorship and secure their digital lives with just a few clicks.
As the use of such security software is becoming more prevalent among various types of users, downloading a secure VPN has become a necessity for those who live under strict internet restrictions and invasive surveillance practices.
Since the start of the war, VPN use in Russia has skyrocketed among those looking to access censored content and protect their anonymity online.
Unfortunately, this was not an isolated trend.
From conflicts to social unrest, there have been countless cases that have triggered VPN usage around the world over the past year.
As Kristijan Janušić, Hide.me's Marketing Director, said: "We wanted to draw attention to this issue by addressing sensitive situations that some people are interested in and want to talk about, but don't feel empowered to express themselves." ."
As London is a cosmopolitan city with many major media outlets, it was a natural choice to launch the campaign. The ultimate goal, however, seems to extend the reach to other cities, starting with Europe.
When asked about possible plans for additional campaigns targeting other authoritarian regimes, Schaub said: "If the narrative fits, definitely yes, we will never hold back as we plan to remain completely open, honest, nervous and fearless."
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