SBF Called Back Into Court Over VPN Access

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried could have his bail conditions amended once again – this time, to restrict his use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

According to a Tuesday report from CNN, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered Bankman-Fried to appear at a hearing on Thursday after learning that he used a VPN twice in the past month.

Judge Kaplan noted that the former FTX CEO’s use of VPN came after he was ordered to refrain from using encrypted messaging apps such as Signal.

“The defendant’s use of a VPN presents many of the same risks associated with his use of an encrypted messaging or call application,” he said.

The  order comes after federal prosecutors penned a letter to the judge, notifying him of Bankman-Fried’s VPN use in late January and early February. The prosecutors said his use of the service raised potential concerns, including the fact that the encrypted method is used to his whereabouts and online activities from third parties, including the government.

“It is well known that some individuals use VPNs to disguise the fact that they are accessing international cryptocurrency exchanges that use IPs to block U.S. users,” said the prosecutors in the letter. 

Bankman-Fried’s lawyers explained that his use of VPN was to watch NFL playoff games and Super Bowl games with the international subscription he acquired when he lived in the Bahamas.

The FTX founder previously had his bail conditions amended to restrict his use of encrypted messaging apps and prevent his contact with former FTX employees. His lawyers are working on removing a bail condition that prevents his access to FTX and Alameda funds.

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• Source: https://unchainedpodcast.com/sbf-called-back-into-court-over-vpn-access/