NordVPN, one of the world's largest virtual private network providers, faces a class action lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court alleging deceptive subscription practices that quietly overcharge customers. This latest legal challenge adds to mounting litigation against the privacy company, with similar class action lawsuits pending in California, Colorado, New York, Illinois, and North Carolina.
The lawsuit claims NordVPN employs multiple deceptive tactics, including quietly increasing subscription renewal prices without proper notice to customers. According to court documents, NordVPN's website and checkout process fail to clearly disclose that renewal prices will increase once the initial subscription period ends. Many users reportedly only discover the higher charges when reviewing their credit card statements after the fact.
Additionally, the complaint alleges NordVPN charges customers the higher subscription renewal price approximately two weeks before their actual renewal date. This timing effectively traps users in a new annual plan before they have the opportunity to cancel their subscription. The lawsuit further contends that NordVPN backdates its advertised "30-day money-back guarantee" to the date of the early charge, making the guarantee period substantially shorter than 30 days in practice.
"This case is about fairness and transparency from a company that claims to safeguard both," said Burkett McInturff of Wittels McInturff Palikovic. "NordVPN markets itself as a trusted privacy company, yet it takes advantage of trusting customers—quietly hiking prices, charging early, and misrepresenting its refund policy."
The legal action seeks damages, restitution, and a court order to halt NordVPN's allegedly unlawful billing practices. The lawsuit asserts violations of Chapter 93A, the Massachusetts consumer-protection statute, and common law principles. The case, Rene Tio v. NordVPN S.A. and Tefincom S.A. d/b/a NordVPN, is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts under case number 1:25-cv-13374.
Scott Harris of Bryson Harris Suciu & DeMay, PLLC emphasized the consumer impact, stating "Consumers sign up expecting privacy and flexibility. Instead, NordVPN locks them in with hidden charges and fine print that undercuts its own promises." The legal team has requested a jury trial to resolve the matter.
This case highlights broader concerns about subscription-based business models in the digital privacy industry, where companies that promise to protect consumer data may be employing practices that undermine consumer trust. The outcome could set important precedents for how VPN providers and similar subscription services must communicate pricing changes and handle automatic renewals.
For consumers, the lawsuit serves as a reminder to carefully review subscription terms and monitor billing statements, even when dealing with companies that market themselves as privacy advocates. The case also underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in the rapidly growing digital privacy market, where consumer protection laws must keep pace with evolving business practices.
