Basically, my friend is saying that the VPN we use (ExpressVPN) doesn’t log your data, but the state can through the websites you visit. Is it true that the torrents can be traced back to me even if I’m connected to a place like the US?
Assuming you’re talking movies and tv shouldn’t make a difference. Could you ask your friend to elaborate? Why do they think that?
No, you friend is full of shit.
,Yours Freinds is making mad to you
Many time i connected to new york for torrenting nothing happened.
any VPN in the 14 eyes can easily give up data to courts without hassle. Even if a US VPN is logless, FBI can use a warrantless trace and ask the VPN for help which will build a case under the VPN server your connected too. Usually it takes month or even years. Same goes with other countries in the 14 eyes - they can share data and cooperate with the US courts on information.
ExpressVPN is probably safe but not the safest you could be, I advise switching to mullvad.
For reference I currently have a subscription with both (for reasons I don’t feel like explaining). Also, mullvad will speed up torrents with port forwarding.
Your friend is wrong. Always connect to the server nearest you. If the VPN is any good at all, country and server don’t matter.
yes they can log your data from the website and even at your own computer plus All VPN Providers Log data and even if they Don’t the Companies they use do All VPN Providers use servers from other companies like Google and Google Logs all that Data so unless you make your Own VPN on your Own Servers it’s Pointless
It depends on what you’re doing though your VPN.
If you’re visiting everyday websites, accepting cookies and using social media then your identity will get linked to your VPN.
If you separate your identifying internet use from your VPN then you’ll remain anonymous.
Yes, it’s possible. But are they going to do it? No. The VPN will likely not help with things like cookies and fingerprinting that sites will take from your system. So it is possible that they CAN trace it back to you. But unless you’re running some dark web drug store, no one will put in that effort to find your identity.
The only thing I’d be worried about with using US servers is that these VPN providers here may have to sooner or later block BitTorrent traffic, by court order.
I do not recommend using US servers for this, due to legal pressure there, but it is safe nonetheless. D0_stack delivered an excellent answer.
Your friend is mistaken.
I use a VPN that’s based in Sweden but use a server in Atlanta that’s only a couple hours away from my house.
thanks for the informational explanation, needed this to prove my friend wrong
Honestly I’m not sure of a reason that he elaborated on other than “my dad told me and has years of experience”
For most people that shouldn’t really be a problem, it’ll be enough to deter copyright trolls.
Ah, the old ‘my dad said’ maneuver. 
if you haven’t noticed All EU Countries and Companies are Breaking EU Laws thing is not if they are breaking the law but if the Law will come for them which hasn’t happened yet
I have no idea what your reply has to do with my comment or the topic.
your right my mistake. that comment was towards another topic.
i agree, for most people it shouldnt be a problem. I have nothing to hide but I still run a VPN 24/7 for security and privacy. Copyright infringement is all over the internet. Whether you save a picture off a website, or share/download a movie, if they see anyone of interest they will still give up any data under jurisdiction.