1 in 6 VPNs Track Your Location, According to New Report From Proton
According to the report, 64 VPN apps on Apple’s App Store and Google Play contain trackers that collect your sensitive data; the exact opposite of what a VPN is supposed to do.
A recent report from Proton reveals that one in six virtual private networks (VPNs) track users' locations, according to a new investigation. VPNs encrypt internet activity and hide users' IP addresses and physical locations to safeguard their identities. However, Proton found that 64 VPN apps downloaded in the US, owned by Chinese companies, contain trackers that gather user information like device IDs, network details, device models, and mobile carrier data.
Notably, 25% of these apps actively track users' locations. In June alone, such apps were downloaded over 13 million times.
The report highlights the use of shell companies registered in jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK by 31 of these Chinese-owned VPNs to conceal their identities. This could enable authoritarian governments like China to track individuals' locations who use these VPNs for safety purposes. China is not the only country where data is harvested; Israel, Russia, and the Five Eyes countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US) also have companies collecting tracking data from millions of people.
Transparency is a significant concern, as numerous VPN apps available for download through Apple and Google lack proper verification. Apple and Google require developers to submit paperwork but provide little verification or independent audits. This lack of oversight makes it difficult to determine which VPN apps truly protect user privacy.
VPN verification processes are also problematic, as both Apple and Google do not conduct independent audits of developer claims. Proton's report underscores the importance of knowing the source behind VPN apps and what data they collect. Attila Tomaschek, a CNET Senior Writer, emphasizes that even popular VPN apps on Apple's or Google's app marketplaces may not be safe to use.
Tomaschek recommends reputable VPNs like Proton and ExpressVPN, which undergo rigorous testing that includes examining privacy policies, transparency reports, audits, corporate structures, and legal jurisdictions. When choosing a VPN, it is best to avoid those that are unclear about their principles, basing decisions on transparency, clear locations, and a commitment to user privacy.
Written by urgent.news from CNET's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
