Tens of millions of Android and iPhone users are being warned that they may have installed free apps that secretly route their internet traffic through Chinese companies, putting their sensitive data at serious risk.
A recent report by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) identified a list of virtual private network (VPN) apps on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store that are owned by Chinese companies. These VPNs claim to provide users with safer and more secure browsing experiences, but instead, they may be secretly sending user data to China.
Simon Migliano, a security expert at Top10VPNs, warns that the risks associated with these apps are too great to ignore. “I strongly urge users to avoid Chinese-owned VPNs altogether,” he said.
Both Google and Apple have assured users that they take app store policies seriously and will act if necessary. However, experts say that this may not be enough to ensure user safety.
vpnMentor’s Lisa Taylor notes that China often uses legal fronts to gain access to personal information from other countries. “Free VPNs are perfect cover-ups for these kinds of operations,” she said.
James Maude, a security expert at BeyondTrust, agrees that users should be cautious when using free apps. “If you aren’t paying for a product, you are the product,” he said. “These VPN services are a perfect example of the hidden costs of free apps where users seeking more privacy online are potentially unknowingly feeding data to a foreign nation state out of fear their local coffee shop Wi-Fi is spying on them.”
The TTP report identified 22 VPNs that are listed as free in the app stores, but some of these apps offer in-app purchases on top of the initial “free” download. This lack of transparency has raised concerns among experts.
Migliano notes that true internet freedom and privacy depend on transparency and trust. However, despite being made aware of glaring privacy failures and opaque corporate structures, Google and Apple continue to permit these high-risk apps on their platforms.
The full list of identified VPNs can be found below:
Apple App Store:
+ X-VPN – Super VPN & Best Proxy
+ Ostrich VPN – Proxy Master
+ VPN Proxy Master – Super VPN
+ Turbo VPN Private Browser
+ VPNIFY – Unlimited VPN
+ VPN Proxy OvpnSpider
+ WireVPN – Fast VPN & Proxy
+ Now VPN – Best VPN Proxy
+ Speedy Quark VPN – VPN Proxy
+ Best VPN Proxy AppVPN
+ HulaVPN – Best Fast Secure VPN
+ Wirevpn – Secure & Fast VPN
+ Pearl VPN
Google Play Store:
+ Turbo VPN – Secure VPN Proxy
+ VPN Proxy Master – Safer Vpn
+ X-VPN – Private Browser VPN
+ Speedy Quark VPN – VPN Master
+ Ostrich VPN – Proxy Unlimited
+ Snap VPN: Super Fast VPN Proxy
+ Signal Secure VPN – Robot VPN
+ VPN Proxy OvpnSpider
+ HulaVPN – Fast Secure VPN
+ VPN Proxy AppVPN
It is recommended that users delete these apps from their devices to ensure their safety and security.
Source: Forbes
