Study Reveals Worrying Overlaps Among 18 Popular VPNs

Title: Researchers Find Alarming Overlaps Among 18 Popular VPNs

A new study has revealed alarming connections among 18 of the most downloaded virtual private network (VPN) apps available on the Google Play Store. Despite their claims of being independent, these VPNs belong to three overlapping families, raising significant concerns about user privacy and data security. Collectively, these 18 VPNs boast around 700 million downloads on Android devices alone.

The research, published in the journal of the Privacy Enhancing Technologies Symposium (PETS), discloses that these VPNs not only lack transparency regarding their ownership but also share serious security vulnerabilities. Notable names, including Turbo VPN and X-VPN, have been flagged for weaknesses that could potentially expose users’ web activities.

The paper, titled “Hidden Links: Analyzing Secret Families of VPN Apps,” builds upon earlier investigative work, which indicated that various VPN companies were secretly marketing multiple applications without clarifying connections. This prompted researchers to systematically investigate the ownership and relationships of these VPNs.

By analyzing business documents, online presence, and code similarities, the researchers categorized the VPNs into three distinct families, revealing concerning ties to companies linked to questionable practices. The findings indicate a troubling reality where trusted VPNs may not only be misleading users about their origins but also risking users’ safety through flawed infrastructures.

For VPN users, these results should be particularly alarming. The study highlights that these apps are not just failing to protect personal data but may also serve other, less transparent purposes. Therefore, individuals looking for reliable VPN services should proceed with caution, prioritize transparency, and consider only reputable providers that offer robust privacy assurances.

In light of these findings, it’s clear that app stores may not be an effective safeguard against untrustworthy VPN applications. Users are encouraged to research thoroughly and share their experiences with VPNs, ensuring a safer browsing environment for all. Have you had any experiences with VPNs that concern you? Let us know in the comments below!