Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Bitfinsider

Sam Bankman-Fried said he used a VPN to watch the Super Bowl while under house arrest, so a judge forbade him from using one.

According to U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, he said: “The defendant’s use of a VPN presents many of the same risks associated with his use of an encrypted messaging or call application.” and further added:  “I hereby amend the conditions of defendant’s release, effective immediate, to prohibit the  defendant’s use of any VPN.”

Bankman-Fried’s attorneys are negotiating bail conditions with prosecutors as they make this decision. Following allegations that Bankman-Fried had contacted a prospective witness in his criminal case, the judge recently banned him from using encrypted messaging services like Signal. Furthermore, until his bail conditions are satisfied, Bankman-Fried is not permitted to speak with any current or former FTX workers.

The judge rejected a request from attorneys to extend the deadline for fresh bail terms until Friday. According to Kaplan’s ruling, the court will hear arguments on Bankman-Fried’s bail restrictions Thursday after receiving submissions by Wednesday.

According to court documents, authorities learned about Bankman-Fried’s usage of a VPN earlier this week, which raised fears that they wouldn’t be able to see the websites he visits or the data he sends and receives while on a private network.

The AFC and NFC football championship games on January 29 as well as the Super Bowl on Sunday were all watched by Bankman-Fried, according to his attorneys, who claimed this on Tuesday. While residing in the Bahamas, Bankman-Fried purchased an NFL Game Pass worldwide membership, which he used to watch the games. He has volunteered to abstain from using the private network until the terms of his bail are determined.

On a $250 million bond, Bankman-Fried is placed under house arrest and faces a potential life sentence if found guilty.