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Google One users received disappointing news today as Google announced the discontinuation of its VPN feature in the coming months. Introduced back in October 2020, the VPN by Google One aimed to provide an extra layer of online protection for Android users, promising peace of mind regarding data safety. Despite its initial promise, Google revealed that usage of the VPN feature was significantly lower than anticipated, leading to its discontinuation.
Reasons for Discontinuation
Initially available exclusively to Premium plan subscribers at $9.99 per month, the VPN was later offered at a reduced rate of $1.99 per month in March 2023. However, even with the price drop, adoption rates remained low, prompting Google to shift its focus to more in-demand features within the Google One platform, reported 9to5google.
Also read: Google rolls out Android 15 Beta 1- Top features that are coming to your smartphone soon
The decision to sunset the VPN feature aligns with Google’s recent efforts to streamline its services and prioritize features with higher user engagement. Earlier this year, Google One celebrated reaching 100 million subscribers, with CEO Sundar Pichai highlighting it as a key growth area driven by AI technology.
Existing users of the VPN by Google One will be directed to third-party VPN alternatives, with no specific timeline provided for the discontinuation. However, Google assures users that the transition process will be seamless.
Despite the discontinuation of the Google One VPN, Pixel users need not worry, as the free Pixel VPN introduced with the Pixel 7 series in 2022 remains unaffected. Moreover, an exciting upgrade is on the horizon for Pixel 7 users, with the introduction of the big VPN upgrade initially introduced with the Pixel 8. This upgrade, scheduled for June, will provide users of older Pixel devices with an enhanced VPN experience, eliminating the need for the Google One app and persistent notifications.
Additionally, Google Fi users can continue to access the VPN available with their service, ensuring that they maintain a secure online experience. While the discontinuation of the VPN by Google One may disappoint some users, the upcoming enhancements to Pixel VPN and continued availability of VPN services through Google Fi offer alternatives for those seeking online protection.
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