Google bringing VPN to Google One Subscriptions

Google is launching “VPN by Google One,” a new virtual private network service, which will initially work on Android and is a free aspect to Google One plans with 2TB plans or higher.

A virtual private network (VPN) allows users to navigate the web with an additional layer of protection, encrypting the data sent between the endpoint device and the internet. This is especially useful in situations where you might be using public Wi-Fi, where ill-intended users may be trying to uncover personal information. The VPN by Google One will be built into the Google One app, and it can be enabled easily.

“We already build advanced security into all our products, and the VPN extends that security to encrypt all of your phone’s online traffic, no matter what app or browser you’re using,” the company wrote in today’s announcement.

“The VPN is built into the Google One app, so with just one tap, you can rest assured knowing your connection is safe from ha

Google offering a VPN will definitely raise some eyebrows. After all, the company’s whole business model is about tracking your internet activities in order to serve up relevant ads.

VPNs also work by ferrying the user’s internet connection to a private server, enabling the VPN provider (in this case, Google) to theoretically view all the web traffic flowing through the machine. However, Google is promising its customers the company can run a trusted VPN service. 

“With VPN by Google One, we will never use the VPN connection to track, log, or sell your online activity,” the company wrote in a paper about the technology.

“Some minimum logging is performed to ensure quality of service, but your network traffic or IP associated with the VPN is never logged.” 

To demonstrate how the design works, Google have open sourced the code that runs on a user’s device and in the coming months will be open sourcing the server side user authentication mechanism as well as providing the results of a third party audit, currently underway.

Google says it will offer speeds above 300 Mbps and the company wants to make “VPN technology available to as many users as possible,” a signal that Google has long-term ambitions in the VPN market, which is already rife with competition. 

Google is also now rolling out Pro Sessions by Google One with VPN support. With Pro Sessions, you can schedule one-on-one online sessions with a Google expert to learn more about VPNs and how to stay safer online. You’ll get access to the VPN and Pro Sessions in addition to the 2 TB of storage and other member benefits you already get with the plan, like 10 percent back in store credit on all Google Store device purchases.

Plus, if you’ve shared your 2 TB Google One plan with family members (up to five additional people), they can also enable the VPN on their own devices at no extra cost.

Pro Sessions will be available in the coming weeks to all 2 TB members in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

The new VPN will eventually roll out to other platforms, including iOS and Windows, as well as other countries. However, it will initially only be available in the United States.

VPN by Google One