Opera, China, and Your Data: 

What the Evidence Actually Shows

If you’ve heard whispers that Opera browser hands your data to the Chinese government, you’re not alone. The internet is full of speculation—but does any of it hold up?

Let’s break it down with facts, not speculation.

The Rumor

“Opera is owned by a Chinese company—so the CCP must be getting all your browser data, right?”

Sounds suspicious on the surface. But here’s what the actual evidence says.

The Known Facts

• Opera is majority-owned by Kunlun Tech, a Beijing-based tech company. That part’s true.
• China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law requires all Chinese companies to cooperate with state intelligence work.
• Opera says its infrastructure and user data are managed under Norwegian jurisdiction, and that its Chinese parent company does not have data access.
• Opera’s transparency reports show zero law enforcement data disclosures as of June 2025.
• Its built-in “free VPN” passed a no-log audit by Deloitte in 2024.
• No court filings, leaks, or whistleblower reports show PRC surveillance via Opera.

What This Really Means

Right now, there is no verifiable proof that the Chinese government has accessed any Opera user data.

Could it happen? Yes, in theory—because Kunlun could be pressured under PRC law.
Has it happened? There’s no public evidence to suggest it has.

Who Should Be Concerned?

• Everyday users: If you’re just browsing Reddit or Googling recipes, your risk is low.
• Dissidents, journalists, or high-risk targets: Even a theoretical window might be unacceptable.

If your threat model is strict, use a browser with:

• No Chinese equity (e.g. Firefox, Brave, LibreWolf)
• Open-source codebase
• External audited no-log VPN

Otherwise, if you like Opera’s features, disable telemetry and ad tracking and proceed with eyes open.

Bottom Line

There’s no smoking gun. Just a possible risk created by Opera’s ownership structure and Chinese law. You have to decide if that’s good enough—or not. If you’re choosing your tools based on real-world security and not just headlines, don’t fall for knee-jerk paranoia. Look at the facts. Make the call.

Questions or concerns? Leave a comment — happy to break it down.