Manage Openvpn

How to cancel OpenVPN in new zealand: your complete guide

What OpenVPN is and why you might cancel

OpenVPN is a VPN (virtual private network) service that offers encrypted remote access and secure networking. The company operates two main products: OpenVPN Access Server, which targets businesses with commercial subscriptions and licensing options, and Private Tunnel, a consumer VPN app available through app stores and the web.

You may decide to cancel for several reasons: you've found a VPN that better suits your needs, your business has changed its security requirements, or you simply want to reduce your monthly subscriptions. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to walk you through the process step by step.

The two OpenVPN products explained

Private Tunnel is OpenVPN's consumer-facing VPN service. You access it via a mobile or desktop app, or by logging into privatetunnel.com. This is the service most individual users in New Zealand will have purchased.

OpenVPN Access Server is a business product. If your company bought an Access Server subscription or license key, you'll manage cancellation differently, typically through your sales contact or support ticket system. Both paths are covered below.

Why cancellation matters

Canceling promptly protects you from unexpected charges, especially if your subscription renews automatically. Early action also preserves your right to a refund within OpenVPN's 30-day window. At Stopee, we've helped thousands of consumers navigate VPN cancellations and avoid costly delays.

How to cancel private tunnel (consumer VPN)

Canceling your Private Tunnel account is straightforward if you follow these steps in order.

Step-by-step cancellation via the web

1. Visit privatetunnel.com and log in with your email and password.
   • Pro tip: if you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login screen.
2. Once logged in, navigate to your account settings or profile menu (usually in the top right corner).
   • Look for an option labeled "Account", "Settings", or "Profile".
3. Find and click "Delete Account" or "Close Account".
   • Some versions of the interface may label this as "Remove Account" or "Deactivate".
4. Confirm the deletion by following any on-screen prompts.
   • Warning: account deletion is usually permanent. Your VPN access stops immediately, and you cannot recover the account afterward.
5. Check your email for a confirmation message from OpenVPN.
   • This confirms your account has been deleted.

Canceling a private tunnel subscription on apple app store

If you purchased or renewed your Private Tunnel subscription through the Apple App Store on iPhone or iPad, you must also cancel that subscription separately. Deleting your Private Tunnel account does not automatically cancel the App Store subscription.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • On your home screen, tap Settings.
2. Tap your Apple ID name at the top of the screen.
   • You'll see "Apple ID", "iCloud", "Media & Purchases".
3. Tap "Media & Purchases" or "Subscriptions" (depending on your iOS version).
   • Some older versions show "Subscriptions" directly under your name.
4. Tap "Subscriptions".
   • A list of all active subscriptions appears.
5. Find "Private Tunnel" in the list and tap it.
   • If Private Tunnel does not appear, the subscription may already be inactive.
6. Tap "Cancel Subscription" and confirm.
   • Pro tip: Apple typically allows you to cancel a subscription immediately, or use it until the next billing date. Choose whichever works for you.

If you cannot log in to private tunnel

If you've lost access to your account or forgotten your login details, contact OpenVPN support directly.

1. Email support@privatetunnel.com with the subject line "Account Deletion Request".
   • Include the email address associated with your Private Tunnel account.
   • State that you want to delete your account and cancel your subscription.
2. OpenVPN's support team will verify your identity and process the deletion.
   • Response times vary; allow 5-7 business days for confirmation.
3. Ask support to confirm in writing once your account is deleted.
   • This serves as proof for refund requests or dispute resolution.

How to cancel OpenVPN access server (business subscriptions and licenses)

Business users managing OpenVPN Access Server subscriptions or license keys follow a different cancellation path.

Canceling an access server subscription

1. Email sales@openvpn.net with your subscription details.
   • Include your order number, subscription start date, and the email address linked to your account.
   • Write clearly: "I request cancellation of my OpenVPN Access Server subscription effective [date]".
2. If you want to stop VPN access immediately, log into your Access Server admin interface and revoke user credentials or remove the server license.
   • This disables the service right away, even if you're still in the paid billing period.
3. Confirm that your subscription will not auto-renew.
   • Ask the sales team to confirm the cancellation date and final billing date in writing.

Canceling a fixed license key (non-subscription)

Fixed license keys do not auto-renew, so you don't need to "cancel" them in the traditional sense. However, you can request a refund if the key has not been activated.

1. Visit the OpenVPN support ticket system and open a new ticket.
   • Go to the OpenVPN support portal or email sales@openvpn.net if you don't have access to the ticketing system.
2. Provide your license key, order number, and purchase date.
   • Pro tip: include a screenshot of your order confirmation if available.
3. Request a refund, specifying that your key remains unactivated.
   • Unactivated keys are eligible for refund within 30 days of purchase (see Refund Policy section below).
4. If the key has been activated, you may still request a refund by contacting support and explaining any technical issues or defects.
   • Warning: refunds on activated keys are at OpenVPN's discretion and not guaranteed outside the 30-day window.

Your consumer rights under new zealand law

As a consumer in New Zealand, you have protections under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. These rights apply to OpenVPN subscriptions and licenses purchased for personal use.

The consumer guarantees act and OpenVPN

The Consumer Guarantees Act protects you when you buy goods or services from a supplier. For a VPN service like OpenVPN, the Act guarantees that the service is of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered within a reasonable timeframe.

If OpenVPN fails to deliver these guarantees-for example, if the VPN is constantly disconnecting, not encrypting properly, or unavailable in your region-you can claim a refund or remedy under the Act.

Your cancellation and refund rights

• You have the right to cancel and request a refund if the service is defective or unfit for purpose, regardless of OpenVPN's stated refund window.
• You can escalate your complaint to the Consumer Protection Authority (or the Commerce Commission) if OpenVPN refuses to honor your Consumer Guarantees Act rights.
• Stopee recommends documenting all communication with OpenVPN, including emails, support tickets, and screenshots of service outages or defects. These become evidence in any dispute.

OpenVPN's refund policy explained

OpenVPN offers refunds under specific conditions. Understanding these terms helps you act within the refund window.

Private tunnel refunds

Private Tunnel refund terms depend on where you purchased the subscription.

OpenVPN access server refunds

Access Server subscriptions have a clear 30-day refund window. Here are the rules:

• Subscription refunds: full refund if you request it in writing by email to sales@openvpn.net within 30 days of purchase.
• Renewals: no refunds on renewed subscriptions after the initial 30-day period unless you claim a defect.
• Unactivated license keys: refund available if the key has not been activated and you request it within 30 days.
• Activated license keys: no refund unless the product is defective. You must describe the defect when requesting a refund.

How to request a refund

1. Gather your order details: order number, purchase date, and subscription or license key information.
   • Check your email receipts for this information.
2. If you purchased Access Server, email sales@openvpn.net within 30 days of purchase.
   • Write: "I request a refund for order [number] purchased on [date]. Please confirm your refund policy and process my refund."
3. If you purchased Private Tunnel directly, email support@privatetunnel.com.
   • Include your account email and subscription start date.
4. Keep all email correspondence.
   • Pro tip: forward all support emails to your personal email as a backup in case you lose access to the original inbox.
5. OpenVPN typically responds within 5-10 business days.
   • If they refuse the refund and you believe you have grounds under the Consumer Guarantees Act, escalate to the Consumer Protection Authority.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation doesn't happen instantly in all cases. Understanding the timeline helps you plan your security arrangements.

Immediate effects of cancellation

When you delete your Private Tunnel account or cancel an Access Server subscription, your VPN access stops. The speed depends on where you canceled:

• Private Tunnel account deletion (web): access stops within minutes.
• Apple App Store subscription cancellation: access stops at the end of the current billing cycle (usually at your next renewal date).
• Access Server admin interface cancellation: you can revoke credentials immediately, or let the subscription expire on its renewal date.

Data retention and your personal information

OpenVPN retains account data for varying periods. If you want your personal data deleted, request this explicitly when you cancel.

1. Email support@privatetunnel.com or sales@openvpn.net requesting data deletion under the Privacy Act 2020.
   • Write: "I request complete deletion of my personal data associated with account [email]. Please confirm this within 20 working days."
2. The Privacy Act 2020 gives you the right to request your personal information be deleted.
   • Pro tip: OpenVPN's response time is usually 20 working days. Keep proof of your request.

Auto-renewal after cancellation

Cancellation stops future auto-renewals. However, check your email and payment method to confirm:

• If you canceled via the web or support email, you won't be charged again after your current paid period ends.
• If you canceled through Apple or Google Play, the app store's system controls renewal. Verify in your app store account that the subscription is truly inactive.
• Set a phone reminder for your renewal date (about a week before) to check your bank or credit card statement and confirm no charge has occurred.

Common mistakes when canceling OpenVPN

Many users cancel incompletely and end up charged months later. Here's how to avoid these pitfalls.

Mistake one: deleting the app without canceling the subscription

Uninstalling the Private Tunnel app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. The renewal charges continue.

The fix: always cancel the subscription first (via privatetunnel.com or the app store), then uninstall the app.

Mistake two: canceling only the app store, not the private tunnel account

You canceled your Apple or Google Play subscription but didn't delete your Private Tunnel account. OpenVPN may still retain your account and renewal charges may reactivate if you reinstall the app.

The fix: log into privatetunnel.com, delete your account completely, and separately cancel any app store subscriptions. Stopee recommends doing both to ensure a clean break.

Mistake three: requesting a refund after 30 days

Once the 30-day refund window closes, OpenVPN rarely offers refunds on Private Tunnel or Access Server subscriptions unless the service is defective.

The fix: act within the first 30 days. If you discover a problem after 30 days, contact support with evidence of the defect and reference the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Mistake four: not keeping cancellation confirmation

Without proof of cancellation, you have no evidence if OpenVPN charges you again or disputes your refund claim.

The fix: screenshot or save all confirmation emails. Note the cancellation date, order number, and final billing date in your records.

OpenVPN pricing and plan comparison

Understanding the different OpenVPN products and their costs helps you decide whether cancellation is right for you.

Private Tunnel is the most common choice for individual users. Access Server is aimed at teams and organizations. Exact prices vary by region and currency; Stopee recommends checking OpenVPN's current website for New Zealand pricing in NZD.

Should you cancel OpenVPN? a quick checklist

Before canceling, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I still using the VPN regularly, or has my usage dropped off?
• Is the service meeting my needs, or do I experience frequent disconnections, speed issues, or server unavailability in my region?
• Have I found a cheaper or faster alternative?
• Do I still need VPN protection, or have my security requirements changed?
• Is my subscription renewing soon, and would I be charged before I can cancel?

If you answered "no" to regular use, "yes" to technical problems, or "yes" to finding a better alternative, cancellation makes sense. Stopee's mission is to help you make that decision quickly and avoid unnecessary charges.

After cancellation: your next steps

Canceling OpenVPN is just one part of your security plan. Here's what to do next:

Switching to another VPN

• Research alternative VPN providers and compare features, pricing, and server locations available in New Zealand.
• Download and test the new VPN on one device before committing to a subscription.
• Once you're satisfied, subscribe to the new service and set up your accounts.
• After confirming the new VPN works, complete your OpenVPN cancellation using the steps above.

Reviewing your digital security

• If you canceled because you don't need a VPN, review whether you should still use one for public Wi-Fi or financial transactions.
• Check your online accounts to see which ones were accessed via the VPN and update your security settings if needed.
• Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts like email and banking.

Monitoring for unwanted charges

• Set a calendar reminder to check your credit card or bank statement 1-2 days after your expected final billing date.
• If you see an unexpected OpenVPN charge, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately and file a dispute. Share your cancellation confirmation email as evidence.

Contact OpenVPN for support or disputes

If OpenVPN refuses to cancel your account, issue a refund, or responds to complaints, contact them using these channels:

Official OpenVPN contact details

• Private Tunnel support email: support@privatetunnel.com
• Access Server sales and cancellations: sales@openvpn.net
• Mailing address (US headquarters only, as New Zealand office address unavailable): OpenVPN Inc., 900 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States.

Escalation options in new zealand

If OpenVPN fails to respond or denies your cancellation or refund request unreasonably, you have consumer protection options:

• Consumer Protection Authority: file a complaint at consumer.org.nz or contact them by phone for guidance on your Consumer Guarantees Act rights.
• Commerce Commission: for large or systemic consumer issues, lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission.
• Chargebacks: if OpenVPN charged you after cancellation and refuses a refund, ask your bank or credit card provider to reverse the charge (chargeback). Provide your cancellation confirmation as evidence.
• Stopee: review our cancellation guides for other VPN providers and learn how Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions and recover unwanted charges.

Final checklist before you finalize cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you've covered all the bases:

Conclusion: take control of your subscriptions

Canceling OpenVPN is straightforward when you follow the right steps in order. Whether you're deleting a Private Tunnel account, canceling an Access Server subscription, or requesting a refund, you now have a clear path forward.

Remember: you have consumer rights under New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act, a 30-day refund window on most OpenVPN products, and the power to escalate complaints to the Consumer Protection Authority if needed.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, recover refunds, and take control of their finances. Visit Stopee today to explore cancellation guides for other services, track your subscriptions, and make sure you're not paying for anything you don't use. Your cancellation journey ends here; your financial freedom starts now.