'Israeli' billionaire turns Kape Technologies into silent VPN giant

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9 hours ago|

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9 hours ago|

Lifestyle

Kape Technologies now fully private under 'Israeli' billionaire Teddy Sagi, removing public oversight.
Company controls major VPN brands including ExpressVPN, PIA, CyberGhost, and ZenMate.

The VPN market is facing what experts describe as a “privacy crossroads” as Kape Technologies completes its transformation into a private, tightly controlled tech conglomerate. With multiple billion-dollar acquisitions and strategic influence over online security tools, the company’s dominance raises concerns about the future of digital privacy.

Privatization Eliminates Transparency

Since the start of 2026, Kape has been fully privatized under Teddy Sagi’s Unikmind group, following the removal of its listing from the London Stock Exchange. Analysts and the public no longer have access to corporate filings or transparency reports, effectively turning the company into a literal “black box”. The shift removes regulatory oversight, making it difficult to track financial flows or business decisions.

Acquisition Empire: The Eight Giants

Kape’s portfolio covers much of the global VPN landscape:

ExpressVPN: Acquired for $936 million, the flagship brand.
Private Internet Access (PIA): Once a favorite of open-source communities.
CyberGhost & ZenMate: Popular mainstream VPN services.
Security Tools: Intego for Mac protection and Restoro for system repair.
Media Influence: Webselenese, operator of vpnMentor, shapes public perception and rankings of “top VPNs,” keeping Kape products at the forefront.

Intelligence Connections and Project Raven

Concerns extend beyond corporate control to intelligence ties:

Leadership by Edo Ehrlich and former 'Israeli' Unit 8200 veterans embeds cyber-intelligence practices in company operations.
Past controversies, including involvement of ExpressVPN’s CTO Daniel Gericke in Project Raven, an Emirati surveillance program targeting journalists and activists, have eroded user trust despite fines paid to the US Department of Justice.

Political and Military Implications

Kape’s influence is compounded by Teddy Sagi’s reported donations to 'Israeli' military logistics in 2024–2025. For users in the Middle East, VPN choice now intersects with political and ethical considerations, not just technical security.

Encryption Under Question

While ExpressVPN maintains a “no-logs” policy, experts warn of structural vulnerabilities:

“The encryption itself may remain intact, but when a company with intelligence ties controls servers, it can monitor traffic at entry or exit points, or even deploy backdoors in app updates,” said a cybersecurity analyst.

Alternatives for 2026

As Kape’s dominance grows, independent VPNs have gained attention:

Mullvad VPN (Sweden): No personal information required, cash payments accepted.
Proton VPN (Switzerland): Features post-quantum encryption and total independence from investment conglomerates.
IVPN: Emphasizes full technical transparency.

Conclusion

By 2026, VPN usage is no longer a purely technical decision. The consolidation of ExpressVPN and other major services under Kape Technologies has shifted digital privacy into the realm of politics and corporate control. For privacy-conscious users, seeking independent and fully transparent alternatives is now essential to safeguarding online freedom.