Raf Vantongerloo

I'm a digital privacy advocate, developer, and writer dedicated to defending online privacy and digital rights in an era of increasing surveillance and data exploitation. Based in Belgium, I combine technical expertise with advocacy work to empower individuals and organizations to reclaim control over their digital lives.

My work centers on educating people about privacy tools and practical solutions that protect against invasive data collection. Through my writing on Medium and my website chat-control.eu, I focus extensively on the EU's controversial Chat Control legislation—a proposed regulation that would mandate mass scanning of private communications under the guise of child protection. I've been actively researching and exposing how this legislation threatens end-to-end encryption, creates unprecedented surveillance capabilities, and undermines the fundamental right to privacy that democratic societies depend on.​

As an indie maker and developer, I build privacy-focused tools and Chrome extensions (like Trimless for Gmail V3) that give users practical ways to protect their digital footprint. My technical background in React, Next.js, and automation platforms like n8n allows me to create solutions that make privacy accessible to everyone, not just technical experts. I'm particularly passionate about combining AI and automation to help people navigate the complex privacy landscape.

My expertise extends to comprehensive research and reviews of the best VPNs and privacy services available today. I evaluate these tools based on real-world privacy commitments, security audits, and proven track records—not marketing hype. Through detailed analysis and hands-on testing, I help readers understand which privacy tools actually deliver on their promises, from no-logs VPN providers to encrypted communication platforms.​

I'm also deeply involved in affiliate marketing within the privacy space, carefully recommending only services and tools that align with genuine privacy principles. My goal is to bridge the gap between complex privacy concepts and practical implementation, making digital security accessible through clear explanations, automation workflows, and actionable recommendations.

Whether writing about agentic AI, SEO strategies, or the latest threats to digital freedom, my mission remains constant: empowering individuals with knowledge and tools to protect their online privacy, defend their digital rights, and navigate an increasingly surveilled internet with confidence and autonomy.