How to Cancel Private Internet Access VPN (2026 Guide) — PIA Changed Ownership, Should You Care?
Updated 2026-02-24 · 5 min read
Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN costs $11.99/month or as low as $2.03/month on a 3-year plan. PIA was acquired by Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider, an adware company) in 2019 — the same company that owns ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and ZenMate. If you're concerned about the ownership change or just don't use it, here's how to cancel.
Confirm — VPN access continues until the end of your billing period
💰 30-Day Refund: PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you signed up recently, request a full refund through the PIA helpdesk or live chat. They process refunds within 5-10 days.
Cancel App Store Subscriptions
Apple: Settings → Your Name → Subscriptions → PIA VPN → Cancel
Google Play: Play Store → Subscriptions → PIA VPN → Cancel
App store refunds are handled by Apple/Google, not PIA
The Kape Technologies Problem
This is the elephant in the room:
Kape Technologies was previously named Crossrider, which distributed browser extensions classified as adware/malware
They rebranded to Kape and started acquiring VPN companies (CyberGhost, PIA, ExpressVPN, ZenMate)
They also own VPN review websites that rank their own products highly
PIA's original founders have left the company
PIA's no-logs policy has been verified in court (pre-Kape acquisition) — but the ownership change makes some users uncomfortable
VPN Alternatives (Not Owned by Kape)
Mullvad ($5.50/mo, no accounts) — The privacy gold standard. No email needed, pay with cash or crypto. Independent Swedish company
ProtonVPN (free/$4.99/mo) — By the Proton Mail team. Free tier available with no data limits. Swiss-based
Windscribe (free/paid) — Canadian. Generous free tier (10GB/mo). Independent company
Mozilla VPN ($4.99/mo) — Backed by the Firefox foundation. Uses Mullvad's network
Do You Even Need a VPN in 2026?
Honest assessment:
Yes, if: You use public WiFi regularly, you want to access geo-restricted content, you live in a country with internet censorship, or you torrent
Probably not, if: You only browse at home on your own WiFi. HTTPS already encrypts your web traffic. Your ISP can see domains you visit but not page content. A VPN hides this but introduces a new trust relationship (the VPN company)
The VPN marketing machine dramatically overstates the risks of not using a VPN. You don't need a VPN "for security" — you need it for specific use cases
The Multi-Year Plan Trap
PIA's pricing is designed to push long-term commitments:
Monthly: $11.99/mo (expensive)
1 year: $3.33/mo ($39.95/year)
3 years: $2.03/mo ($79.00 upfront for 3 years)
The 3-year plan looks cheap but locks you in. If PIA changes policies, speeds degrade, or you stop using it, you've already paid
🔍 Security & Privacy Sub Audit: VPN + antivirus + password manager + identity monitoring + encrypted email — privacy subscriptions stack up fast. Upload your bank statement to JustCancel to see the total.