Judge Bans Sam Bankman-Fried from Using VPNs While on Bail

In a significant development in the Sam Bankman-Fried case, a judge has prohibited the FTX co-founder from using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) while out on bail. This restriction comes after concerns were raised regarding his internet usage.

New York Judge Lewis Kaplan has banned FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried from using VPNs while out on bail. The order stems from concerns about Bankman-Fried potentially masking his online activity and potentially violating the terms of his bail agreement.

United States District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan reportedly set a hearing for Thursday after prosecutors alerted him of Bankman-Fried's use of VPN while on house arrest. Bloomberg reported the urgency of the situation, prompting the judge to take swift action.

The situation escalated following reports that SBF had been using a virtual private network (VPN). This use raised red flags with prosecutors, who argued it could allow him to circumvent monitoring and engage in potentially prohibited online activities.

Sam Bankman-Fried was temporarily ordered to stop using a VPN after he used a private network to watch the Super Bowl and other football games. A judge will hear arguments about the permanent nature of this restriction. The initial discovery of his VPN use involved him watching sporting events, raising questions about the necessity and purpose of masking his IP address.

On Feb. 14, a federal judge ordered Sam Bankman-Fried to refrain from accessing the internet using privacy tools. This demonstrates the court's increasing scrutiny of Bankman-Fried's online activities and a commitment to ensuring he adheres to the conditions of his bail.

The use of VPNs has become a focal point in the case, raising concerns about potential bail violations and the integrity of the legal process. The upcoming hearing promises to shed further light on the extent of Bankman-Fried's VPN usage and the judge's rationale for imposing this ban.