So Google Is Making A VPN?

Google say they are launching a VPN. My comments (and comments from others) on Google's new VPN app in the Daily Swig.

More nuanced full answer follows below to the original questions of whether we expect this app to become popular, and whether we trust Google to protect users' data on this VPN.

By using any VPN, you are deciding that you trust that VPN provider more than whoever is currently providing your internet.

Whether that tradeoff makes sense depends on your current internet connection and the specific VPN provider.

On the security side, we can expect that Google will do a good job, and likely your connection will be safer in general than on most random WiFi hotspots around town.

On the privacy side, Google approach is essentially that your privacy is protected from everyone’s spying eyes, except Google’s, those they indirectly sell your data to via aggregated targeting of ads, and likely US government spy agencies under secret FISA orders.

Depending on your current internet connection, even if you are not aware of it, this Google VPN app could be less privacy invasion than you are currently subject to.

In addition, we can strongly suspect that Google will add additional unasked data collection for anti-competitive purposes, as was so notoriously done by Facebook with their Onavo project, which included paying minors to install what is essentially spyware.

Probably the biggest factor in the popularity of this app will depend on whether & how much Google use dark patterns such as forced defaults on platforms they control, like they do with Chrome on Android or with Google+ on Gmail.

Beyond this, it is hard to bet against a product that is likely to have the backing of Google’s very deep pockets and global brand recognition available for marketing.

Additional, copying the Facebook approach of paying users to use their VPN app can also have an impact on the popularity.

Personally I will not be installing Google’s VPN, and if allowed I will disable it on my devices if it gets force installed on one of the next updates.

In summary:

• It will probably be more secure than a random WiFi hotspot
• It will probably be stealing & selling your private data
• Anti-competitive practices a la Facebook is a likely reason for this move
• I do not recommend using this, if you have a choice
• That I must add "if you have a choice" is broader problem than this one app and this one surveillance economy company.