Mullvad, the Swedish VPN provider known for its privacy-focused services, is facing backlash from some customers after co-founder Daniel Berntsson personally donated SEK 5 million (£385,000/$519,000) to Örebropartiet, a populist party contesting Sweden's 2026 national election for the first time. The donation matters because it has drawn scrutiny to the politics of a company whose brand relies heavily on user trust, sparking public criticism from privacy-focused bloggers and a large online discussion thread, even though Mullvad insists the gift was a personal act unrelated to company values.

Örebropartiet mixes left-leaning policies, such as free preschool and public transport plus a 30-hour working week, with hard-right positions including sharply reduced immigration and "large-scale remigration." Berntsson's donation was unusually large by Swedish standards, reportedly the biggest single private donation to any party in 2025 and accounting for 72 percent of the party's annual income, according to newspaper Flamman. Mullvad, co-run by Berntsson and fellow CEO Fredrik Strömberg, has publicly stated the donation reflects Berntsson's personal views and not the company's mission, and The Register has sought further comment from the firm.