Google has made its VPN service free for all Google Plan users while also providing those in the U.S. to monitor their personal information on the dark web. Let’s look at the details, shall we?
VPN access is now a freebie with Google One
VPN by Google One works like any other VPN service in that it hides the user’s IP address and makes it impossible for network operators to spy on what you’re doing online. Instead, Google gets to keep that privilege and will always know “every step you make.”
In contrast, without a VPN – the sites and apps you visit/use could use your IP address to track your activity or determine your location. And serve you “relevant” ads.
Previously, this feature was reserved for only the most expensive Google One plans, but now it’s available even with the Basic plan that starts at $1.99/month. The VPN will be available in 22 countries across Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac devices. You can also share the VPN with up to five others if they’re on your Google One plan.
Dark web monitoring
In addition to providing a free VPN, Google is also adding the dark web report to the mix — helping users scan the dark web for their personal information, such as their name, address, email, phone number, and Social Security number. Once a match is made (i.e. your details have been found on the dark web) – it will notify you.
Coming soon to Google users in the U.S., the feature requires that you provide and select the information you’d like to keep an eye on within your monitoring profile. And if any matching info is found on the dark web, you will be notified and provided with guidance on how you might protect that information. For example, if your Social Security number was found on the dark web, Google might suggest you report it as stolen to the government or take steps to protect your credit.
Additionally, dark web report will also show you other related info that may be found in those data breaches.
In case you didn’t know, online identity fraud due to information stolen through data breaches is an increasing problem that affects millions of people every year. And in that sense, we like what Google is doing to help people deal with this problem.
The bottom line
Again, we like that Google is doing something to protect its users. Still, we can’t recommend anyone to use their VPN, except perhaps in the office. One of the key reasons why anyone would use a VPN is to hide their activity from Google. And with their VPN, I doubt that’s possible. So if you do want to get the “proper” privacy protection on the Internet, get yourself the real VPN, one from our list of Best of the Best VPNs. Start it up and let it do its magic in the background as you safely and securely browse the world wide web, download stuff with BitTorrent, and more.