Simon Migliano

Simon Migliano is best known for his extensive VPN investigations as well as in-depth research into internet censorship and privacy issues. Some of his most notable studies include:

• Websites Blocked in Russia: tracks and analyzes the thousands of websites officially blocked in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine that relate to the conflict. The result is the only public dataset of its kind in the world.
• The Global Cost of Internet Shutdowns: monitors the economic cost of every major internet shutdown around the world since 2019. This research is regularly cited by academics and major government organizations.
• The Dangers of Free VPN is a collection of 11 research reports into various aspects of the ownership and security of free VPN mobile apps. I have also explored app store policies around VPN privacy.
• Global Mobile VPN Report 2019: a world-first study of mobile VPN download growth across 70+ countries with year-over-year data back to 2016.
• Collateral Damage in the War Against Online Harms: co-authored with Open Rights Group, this investigation into overblocking of websites by UK ISPs revealed over 400 charity, school and social supports sites had been blocked in error.

Simon’s ongoing research into the Cost of Internet Shutdowns with Samuel Woodhams is regularly cited in public policy documents and academic papers.

Some examples of this include:

• United States International Trade Commission official report: United States International Trade Commission Foreign Censorship, Part 2: Trade and Economic Effects on U.S. Businesses
• Digital Economy Report 2021 for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
• Center for Democracy & Technology submission to the U.S. Sentate Finance Committee
• Academic paper authored by researchers at University of Kashmir: “Impact of Internet Blockade Post Abrogation of Article 370 of Indian Constitution on Doctoral Students Pursuing Research in Kashmir”
• Academic paper by White, P of University of Maine, “Symbiotic Suppression: How Digital Authoritarianism Helps Facilitate Physical Repression in Indian Controlled Kashmir”

Simon is frequently quoted as a VPN expert in privacy-related news stories and features, such as The Guardian, BBC News, CNN, CBS News, TIME, Los Angeles Times and The Sunday Times.

As well as authoring research for Top10VPN.com, Simon has written articles on VPN, privacy and censorship issues for other well-respected sites including Hackernoon, Reuters, OpenDemocracy and TechRadar.

Simon brings extensive experience in technology and research from his 17-year career. He began as a journalist for the Australian Associated Press (AAP) in Sydney, Australia before emerging as a tech business leader in London, UK and Shanghai, China.

He was the first team member to join Top10VPN.com and played a significant role in launching the VPN review website, extensively testing all the leading VPN services and writing the first VPN reviews and privacy guides.

Simon has been a long-time user of both consumer and enterprise VPN technology. His time leading a Shanghai-based team remotely from London and working in China has given Simon first-hand experience of relying on a VPN as a vital anti-censorship tool.

His VPN investigations and other digital privacy and cybersecurity research have been featured in leading news sites including The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Telegraph, Quartz, The Economist, Der Spiegel, NBC News, The Times, Fortune, and Fast Company.

His research findings have also received extensive coverage in major foreign-language publications all over the world, such as Deutsche Welle, CNet Japan, Repubblica, Le Figaro, ZDNet France, PC Magazin and CNN Espanol.

Simon holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and a bachelor’s degree from The University of Liverpool.

Media Inquiries: Please contact Simon at simon@top10vpn.com or visit our Press Room for more information.