CoopVPN: Privacy-Focused VPN Built by RiseupVPN Developers Launches as Cooperative Alternative

The Project

CoopVPN is a new privacy-focused VPN service built by the developers behind RiseupVPN, one of the most trusted privacy tools in the activist community. The project takes a cooperative ownership model, distinguishing it from commercial VPN providers.

Key Features

Privacy-First Architecture

• No logging: Standard privacy VPN promise
• Open source: Code available for public audit
• Built on proven technology: Leverages the RiseupVPN codebase and infrastructure expertise
• Anti-censorship: Designed to work in repressive environments

Cooperative Model

Unlike commercial VPNs owned by venture capital or private equity:

• User-owned cooperative: Members have a say in governance
• Transparent operations: Financial and operational decisions open to members
• No exit strategy: Not building to sell to a data company
• Accountable to users, not shareholders

The RiseupVPN Legacy

RiseupVPN has been a trusted tool for:

• Journalists protecting sources
• Activists in authoritarian regimes
• Privacy-conscious individuals worldwide
• Organizations requiring secure communications

The CoopVPN team brings this expertise to a broader audience with a more sustainable organizational model.

Why It Matters

VPN Industry Problems

The commercial VPN industry has significant trust issues:

• False no-log claims: Several providers caught logging despite promises
• Acquisition by data companies: NordVPN (acquired), ExpressVPN (acquired by Kape)
• Opaque ownership: Many VPNs hide their true corporate structure
• Marketing over substance: Heavy advertising often masks mediocre privacy

The Cooperative Alternative

CoopVPN addresses these issues through structural accountability:

• Users are owners, not products
• No acquisition risk — cooperatives can't be sold without member consent
• Transparency is built into the governance structure

Who Should Use It

• Privacy advocates who want VPN accountability
• Activists who need trustworthy tools
• Anyone tired of commercial VPN false promises

Website: coopvpn.net

Source: Hacker News