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Is LINE safe to use?

Safe with care

Safe for everyday use; chats are end-to-end encrypted by default, but a 2023 breach exposed hundreds of thousands of user records.

Checked October 2026

Quick facts

Owned by
LY Corporation
Based in
Tokyo, Japan
Encryption
End-to-end for chats and calls by default (Letter Sealing).
Data it collects
Phone number, contacts, chats metadata and usage data; some services share data with LY's ad business.
Minimum age
Varies; age verification limits some features

What keeps you safe

  • Letter Sealing end-to-end encryption is on by default.
  • Two-step login protection and login alerts.

Risks to know about

  • In November 2023 LY Corporation said about 440,000 records were leaked through a breach at a subcontractor linked to Naver.
  • Japan's government ordered LY to reduce its reliance on Naver's systems in 2024.

Scams to watch for on LINE

  • Investment groups and fake celebrity accounts.
  • Requests to buy gift cards from hacked friends.

Is LINE legit?

LINE is a legitimate app run by LY Corporation.

Is it safe for kids?

Restrict who can add you by ID.

How to use LINE safely

  1. Turn off "Allow others to add me".

  2. Turn on Letter Sealing on every device.

  3. Never share your verification code.

Where LINE is restricted

Does a VPN make LINE safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and protects you on public Wi-Fi. It can't stop LINE collecting data or scammers messaging you.

Picked for privacy and getting messages through.

Proton VPN

Swiss-based with open-source apps and a free tier, plus a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks.

For strict networks: the Stealth protocol.

Try Proton VPN

NordVPN

Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.

For strict networks: NordWhisper or obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

Private Internet Access

Open-source apps, unlimited devices and servers in every US state, at a low price.

For strict networks: the Shadowsocks proxy option.

Try Private Internet Access
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs ExpressVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost

ExpressVPN

Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.

For strict networks: automatic obfuscation (with the protocol on Automatic).

Try ExpressVPN

Surfshark

Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.

For strict networks: NoBorders mode.

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost

Servers labelled for specific streaming services and a 45-day refund window on longer plans.

For strict networks: a nearby server (CyberGhost has no stealth mode).

Try CyberGhost

We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money

Questions people ask

Is LINE safe to use?

Safe for everyday use; chats are end-to-end encrypted by default, but a 2023 breach exposed hundreds of thousands of user records.

Is LINE legit?

LINE is a legitimate app run by LY Corporation.

Is LINE encrypted?

End-to-end for chats and calls by default (Letter Sealing).

What data does LINE collect?

Phone number, contacts, chats metadata and usage data; some services share data with LY's ad business.

Is LINE safe for kids?

Restrict who can add you by ID.

Does a VPN make LINE safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi, so your network and ISP can't see what you do on LINE. It does not stop LINE itself from collecting data, and it does not protect you from scams inside the app.

Sources