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I'm Done with Mullvad
TL;DR
Mullvad VPN's reputation as a privacy champion has been tarnished by CEO Daniel Berntsson's significant donation to an ethnonationalist political party. This donation, which constitutes 72% of the party's income, contradicts Mullvad's stated values of promoting a free and open society.
✦ Why It Matters
Evaluate your company's leadership and ensure their personal values align with your brand's mission to avoid reputational damage.
Key Takeaways
- Evaluate the ethical implications of companies you support.
- Consider alternative VPN providers that align with your values.
- Stay informed about company leadership and their actions.
- Voice your concerns to companies when their values misalign with yours.
Full Summary
Mullvad VPN, once seen as a paragon of privacy and ethical business practices, faced significant criticism after co-CEO Daniel Berntsson donated 5 million SEK to the ethnonationalist Örebro Party. This donation, which constituted 72% of the party's income for 2025, contradicts Mullvad's stated values of promoting a free and open society.
Users expressed outrage, feeling that their subscription fees indirectly supported harmful political agendas. Despite Mullvad's defense of Berntsson's personal donation as separate from the company's mission, many users and employees are reconsidering their association with the brand.
The backlash has led to a call for Berntsson's resignation to restore trust, with some users successfully obtaining refunds for their subscriptions. Ultimately, the incident highlights the importance of aligning corporate actions with stated values in the tech industry.