Carl Dong → obscura.net
@carldong.me
Building @obscura.net, former Bitcoin Core contributor
Every Cloudflare outage makes me wonder:
Can we develop an open-source, local Cloudflare?
Modern tooling/packet bypasses like XDP and BPF surely lower the barrier-to-entry to meaningful DDoS protection significantly.
Can we develop an open-source, local Cloudflare?
Modern tooling/packet bypasses like XDP and BPF surely lower the barrier-to-entry to meaningful DDoS protection significantly.
November 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Every Cloudflare outage makes me wonder:
Can we develop an open-source, local Cloudflare?
Modern tooling/packet bypasses like XDP and BPF surely lower the barrier-to-entry to meaningful DDoS protection significantly.
Can we develop an open-source, local Cloudflare?
Modern tooling/packet bypasses like XDP and BPF surely lower the barrier-to-entry to meaningful DDoS protection significantly.
😲 Ubiquiti just made a Flipper Zero for SFP modules!
October 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
😲 Ubiquiti just made a Flipper Zero for SFP modules!
You can tell I had a lot of fun chatting with @ente.io's CEO Vishnu 😊
Fighters for digital privacy, unite!
Fighters for digital privacy, unite!
Vishnu, Ente's founder interviews @carldong.me, founder & CEO of @obscura.net. A great chat on VPNs, Bitcoin, Chat Control and more - www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zP_...
Vishnu's Podcast ft. Carl Dong - CEO @ ObscuraVPN | VPN, Bitcoin, Privacy & more
Carl Dong, CEO of Obscura talks to Vishnu Mohandas, CEO of Ente on all things VPNs, Bitcoin, Privacy Tech, User Experience and a lot more.
Carl Dong - https://x.com/carl_dong
Obscura VPN -…
www.youtube.com
September 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
You can tell I had a lot of fun chatting with @ente.io's CEO Vishnu 😊
Fighters for digital privacy, unite!
Fighters for digital privacy, unite!
User data is toxic waste.
Companies that don't treat it as such are ngmi.
Companies that don't treat it as such are ngmi.
September 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
User data is toxic waste.
Companies that don't treat it as such are ngmi.
Companies that don't treat it as such are ngmi.
🎉 BIG NEWS: Obscura is now on iOS!
Obscura engineering team remains undefeated, even against the goliath that is App Store Review and In-App Purchases.
We'll do a blog post about this someday, so folks can learn from our battle scars!
Obscura engineering team remains undefeated, even against the goliath that is App Store Review and In-App Purchases.
We'll do a blog post about this someday, so folks can learn from our battle scars!
HUGE RELEASE: Obscura VPN is now on iOS 🥳
📱 Now you can use the VPN that can't log, won't lag, and works anywhere ON THE GO!
🔗 Our website: obscura.net
📱 iOS App Store: apps.apple.com/app/obscura...
📱 Now you can use the VPN that can't log, won't lag, and works anywhere ON THE GO!
🔗 Our website: obscura.net
📱 iOS App Store: apps.apple.com/app/obscura...
August 19, 2025 at 6:23 PM
🎉 BIG NEWS: Obscura is now on iOS!
Obscura engineering team remains undefeated, even against the goliath that is App Store Review and In-App Purchases.
We'll do a blog post about this someday, so folks can learn from our battle scars!
Obscura engineering team remains undefeated, even against the goliath that is App Store Review and In-App Purchases.
We'll do a blog post about this someday, so folks can learn from our battle scars!
Anyone know of folks that have worked with the Android `VpnService` API?
August 18, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Anyone know of folks that have worked with the Android `VpnService` API?
> Apple: Confirming that you've fixed X, only Y needs fixes
> Us: We've now fixed Y
> Apple: Please fix X
> Us: You literally just confirmed that we already fixed X
> Apple: Please fix X (no details added)
> Us: Here's proof we fixed X
> Apple: Please fix X (no details added)
> Us: We've now fixed Y
> Apple: Please fix X
> Us: You literally just confirmed that we already fixed X
> Apple: Please fix X (no details added)
> Us: Here's proof we fixed X
> Apple: Please fix X (no details added)
August 4, 2025 at 8:38 PM
> Apple: Confirming that you've fixed X, only Y needs fixes
> Us: We've now fixed Y
> Apple: Please fix X
> Us: You literally just confirmed that we already fixed X
> Apple: Please fix X (no details added)
> Us: Here's proof we fixed X
> Apple: Please fix X (no details added)
> Us: We've now fixed Y
> Apple: Please fix X
> Us: You literally just confirmed that we already fixed X
> Apple: Please fix X (no details added)
> Us: Here's proof we fixed X
> Apple: Please fix X (no details added)
British lawmakers are buying their VPN subs with taxpayer money… and telling the same taxpayers not to use VPNs.
You cannot make this shit up.
You cannot make this shit up.
August 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
British lawmakers are buying their VPN subs with taxpayer money… and telling the same taxpayers not to use VPNs.
You cannot make this shit up.
You cannot make this shit up.
I am a systemd lover and I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE
July 30, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I am a systemd lover and I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE
“We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any. We must come together and create systems which allow anonymous transactions to take place.”
– A Cypherpunk’s Manifesto
An open and private internet is more important than ever.
That's what we fight for at @obscura.net
– A Cypherpunk’s Manifesto
An open and private internet is more important than ever.
That's what we fight for at @obscura.net
July 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
“We must defend our own privacy if we expect to have any. We must come together and create systems which allow anonymous transactions to take place.”
– A Cypherpunk’s Manifesto
An open and private internet is more important than ever.
That's what we fight for at @obscura.net
– A Cypherpunk’s Manifesto
An open and private internet is more important than ever.
That's what we fight for at @obscura.net
A Remote Access Trojan Malware was found in packages for
Librewolf, Firefox, and Zen Browser last week 😰
If you were an Arch Linux users who tried to install these browsers via patched packages in the AUR, please check your system!
Librewolf, Firefox, and Zen Browser last week 😰
If you were an Arch Linux users who tried to install these browsers via patched packages in the AUR, please check your system!
July 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
A Remote Access Trojan Malware was found in packages for
Librewolf, Firefox, and Zen Browser last week 😰
If you were an Arch Linux users who tried to install these browsers via patched packages in the AUR, please check your system!
Librewolf, Firefox, and Zen Browser last week 😰
If you were an Arch Linux users who tried to install these browsers via patched packages in the AUR, please check your system!
Reposted by Carl Dong → obscura.net
NEW in v1.128: Location Switching in the Menu Bar
A lot of you have asked for this, and it's finally here!
Switch between your pinned locations and Quick Connect right from your menu bar! (See video below)
Felix the friendly bot will miss you, but he understands ☺️
A lot of you have asked for this, and it's finally here!
Switch between your pinned locations and Quick Connect right from your menu bar! (See video below)
Felix the friendly bot will miss you, but he understands ☺️
July 18, 2025 at 2:52 PM
NEW in v1.128: Location Switching in the Menu Bar
A lot of you have asked for this, and it's finally here!
Switch between your pinned locations and Quick Connect right from your menu bar! (See video below)
Felix the friendly bot will miss you, but he understands ☺️
A lot of you have asked for this, and it's finally here!
Switch between your pinned locations and Quick Connect right from your menu bar! (See video below)
Felix the friendly bot will miss you, but he understands ☺️
Reposted by Carl Dong → obscura.net
Hey folks! Our 25% off launch sale will be ending next Monday (July 21st).
If you haven't taken advantage of the sale yet, this is your sign to do so 😄
If you subscribe, we'll honor this sale price indefinitely 🔁
We've also recently added WireGuard support and iOS Testflight!
If you haven't taken advantage of the sale yet, this is your sign to do so 😄
If you subscribe, we'll honor this sale price indefinitely 🔁
We've also recently added WireGuard support and iOS Testflight!
July 15, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Hey folks! Our 25% off launch sale will be ending next Monday (July 21st).
If you haven't taken advantage of the sale yet, this is your sign to do so 😄
If you subscribe, we'll honor this sale price indefinitely 🔁
We've also recently added WireGuard support and iOS Testflight!
If you haven't taken advantage of the sale yet, this is your sign to do so 😄
If you subscribe, we'll honor this sale price indefinitely 🔁
We've also recently added WireGuard support and iOS Testflight!
In Rust terms: When you thought your VPN provider's elided lifetime resolves to 'static but it's really just 'whenwedie 😆
tech.slashdot.org/story/25/07...
tech.slashdot.org/story/25/07...
BulletVPN Shuts Down, Killing Lifetime Members' Subscriptions - Slashdot
VPN provider BulletVPN has shut down its servers with immediate effect, leaving subscribers without service regardless of their subscription terms. The company announced the closure on its website, citing "shifts in market demand, evolving technology requirements, and sustainability of operations." ...
tech.slashdot.org
July 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
In Rust terms: When you thought your VPN provider's elided lifetime resolves to 'static but it's really just 'whenwedie 😆
tech.slashdot.org/story/25/07...
tech.slashdot.org/story/25/07...
James Dyson just made hair being stuck in Vacuums a thing of the past.
Nobody is as obsessed with building the best Vacuum as James Dyson.
Nobody is as obsessed with building the best VPN as our team at Obscura.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve6...
Nobody is as obsessed with building the best Vacuum as James Dyson.
Nobody is as obsessed with building the best VPN as our team at Obscura.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve6...
The Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones™ cleaner | Global Premiere
Join James Dyson as he introduces the new Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones™ cleaner. Our latest, most advanced floorcare technology – now available in Japan.The f...
www.youtube.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
James Dyson just made hair being stuck in Vacuums a thing of the past.
Nobody is as obsessed with building the best Vacuum as James Dyson.
Nobody is as obsessed with building the best VPN as our team at Obscura.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve6...
Nobody is as obsessed with building the best Vacuum as James Dyson.
Nobody is as obsessed with building the best VPN as our team at Obscura.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve6...
I knew there was something familiar about the American Megatrends BIOS logo... Skynet had ring-0 access the whole time!
July 8, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I knew there was something familiar about the American Megatrends BIOS logo... Skynet had ring-0 access the whole time!
So Gemini on Android is about to forcefully get access to your WhatsApp + Messages, regardless if you've previously turned it off?
And they want to dress it up like they're helping you?
Please tell me I'm misunderstanding something here...
And they want to dress it up like they're helping you?
Please tell me I'm misunderstanding something here...
July 4, 2025 at 12:41 AM
So Gemini on Android is about to forcefully get access to your WhatsApp + Messages, regardless if you've previously turned it off?
And they want to dress it up like they're helping you?
Please tell me I'm misunderstanding something here...
And they want to dress it up like they're helping you?
Please tell me I'm misunderstanding something here...
In the digital age, our de-facto privacy rights in the physical world are being stripped away.
Even worse - surveillance mechanisms are being set up.
As people wake up to this, privacy-by-default will become table-stakes for digital products.
techcrunch.com/2025/03/02/...
Even worse - surveillance mechanisms are being set up.
As people wake up to this, privacy-by-default will become table-stakes for digital products.
techcrunch.com/2025/03/02/...
Signal is the No. 1 downloaded app in the Netherlands. But why? | TechCrunch
Privacy-focused messaging app Signal has been flying high in the Dutch app stores this past month, sitting in pole-position for much of it.
techcrunch.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
In the digital age, our de-facto privacy rights in the physical world are being stripped away.
Even worse - surveillance mechanisms are being set up.
As people wake up to this, privacy-by-default will become table-stakes for digital products.
techcrunch.com/2025/03/02/...
Even worse - surveillance mechanisms are being set up.
As people wake up to this, privacy-by-default will become table-stakes for digital products.
techcrunch.com/2025/03/02/...
Reposted by Carl Dong → obscura.net
Today's background music: A dramatic reading of RFC 2119 on loop 😆
soundcloud.com/ericwbailey...
soundcloud.com/ericwbailey...
RFC 2119
https://ericwbailey.website/published/you-must-listen-to-rfc-2119/
soundcloud.com
July 2, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Today's background music: A dramatic reading of RFC 2119 on loop 😆
soundcloud.com/ericwbailey...
soundcloud.com/ericwbailey...
If you can't see your VPN App's source code, you can almost safely assume it's compromised.
www.theregister.com/2025/06/24/...
www.theregister.com/2025/06/24/...
Fake SonicWall VPN app steals user credentials
: A good reminder not to download apps from non-vendor sites
www.theregister.com
June 26, 2025 at 5:20 PM
If you can't see your VPN App's source code, you can almost safely assume it's compromised.
www.theregister.com/2025/06/24/...
www.theregister.com/2025/06/24/...
Me: Oh! Tim Sweeney won and we can link to our own payments on iOS!
Apple: You plebeian. Your app won't pass App Store review without also offering Apple in-app purchases. And there's a whole different set of rules for EU.
😒 We would have already launched iOS otherwise.
Apple: You plebeian. Your app won't pass App Store review without also offering Apple in-app purchases. And there's a whole different set of rules for EU.
😒 We would have already launched iOS otherwise.
We launched WireGuard last week, but we're not stopping there 😤
Available today: Obscura VPN's iOS Testflight! 📱
Links below 👇
Available today: Obscura VPN's iOS Testflight! 📱
Links below 👇
June 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Me: Oh! Tim Sweeney won and we can link to our own payments on iOS!
Apple: You plebeian. Your app won't pass App Store review without also offering Apple in-app purchases. And there's a whole different set of rules for EU.
😒 We would have already launched iOS otherwise.
Apple: You plebeian. Your app won't pass App Store review without also offering Apple in-app purchases. And there's a whole different set of rules for EU.
😒 We would have already launched iOS otherwise.
A cheery bit of Tom Lehrer for our Sunday evenings 🎶
www.youtube.com/watch?v=frA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=frA...
Tom Lehrer - We Will All Go Together When We Go
Tom Lehrer on public domain (2020):https://tomlehrersongs.com/http://www.amazon.com/Tom-Lehrer-Collection-CD-DVD/dp/B0039TD73G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid...
www.youtube.com
June 23, 2025 at 1:26 AM
A cheery bit of Tom Lehrer for our Sunday evenings 🎶
www.youtube.com/watch?v=frA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=frA...
This Meta AI search thing seems pretty bad (and perhaps sad)...
"'What counties [sic] do younger women like older white men,' a public message from a user on Meta’s AI platform says..."
"...all tied to user names and profile photos." 😨
www.wired.com/story/meta-...
"'What counties [sic] do younger women like older white men,' a public message from a user on Meta’s AI platform says..."
"...all tied to user names and profile photos." 😨
www.wired.com/story/meta-...
The Meta AI App Lets You ‘Discover’ People’s Bizarrely Personal Chats
Launched in April, the Meta AI platform offers a “discover” feed that includes user queries containing medical, legal, and other seemingly sensitive information.
www.wired.com
June 19, 2025 at 1:05 AM
This Meta AI search thing seems pretty bad (and perhaps sad)...
"'What counties [sic] do younger women like older white men,' a public message from a user on Meta’s AI platform says..."
"...all tied to user names and profile photos." 😨
www.wired.com/story/meta-...
"'What counties [sic] do younger women like older white men,' a public message from a user on Meta’s AI platform says..."
"...all tied to user names and profile photos." 😨
www.wired.com/story/meta-...