Millions of VPN users in the US are inadvertently putting their privacy at risk, Proton warns
Think a VPN keeps you completely anonymous? A sweeping new study by Proton reveals that 85% of VPN apps in the US contain hidden trackers, exposing millions of users to the exact privacy risks they’re trying to avoid.
Millions of US VPN users may be exposing their privacy to risks, warns Proton VPN after discovering alarming trends in its latest report. The study found that 85% of mobile VPN apps available on US app stores contain trackers that collect and share sensitive user data. These rogue apps harvest crucial information such as device IDs, models, network types, and carrier data. Shockingly, Google and Apple allowed over 13.2 million downloads of these suspect VPNs in June 2026 alone.
Among the 390 VPNs available, Proton's research revealed that 64 of them are owned by Chinese companies, with 31 of these services hiding their ownership behind shell companies in places like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK. Some of the most popular location-tracking apps that put users' anonymity at risk include VPN Proxy Master, VPN-Fast VPN Super, and X-VPN. These 64 apps alone accounted for more than 3 million US downloads in June.
David Peterson, Proton VPN General Manager, emphasizes the importance of informed choices for privacy-conscious users. He stated that people have the right to know if their personal information is being shared by their VPN and with whom. Proton's team is currently tracking 7,500 VPNs, with investigations underway in the UK, France, and Germany to be published in the near future.
To stay safe in this sea of potentially shady apps, users should avoid free, ad-supported mobile VPNs from unknown developers. Instead, they should opt for reputable providers with transparent ownership and independent security audits verifying their no-logs claims.
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