Concerns Persist Over Undisclosed Chinese Ownership of VPN Applications

Recent investigations reveal that numerous virtual private network (VPN) applications with potential ties to Chinese entities remain available on major mobile platforms despite previous warnings.

According to follow-up research conducted approximately six weeks after initial findings, at least 17 VPN applications with connections to China continue to be distributed through prominent application marketplaces without adequate disclosure of their ownership structure.

The original investigation, published earlier this year, identified approximately 20 free VPN services potentially transmitting user data to Chinese servers without user knowledge. Of particular concern were five applications allegedly connected to a Shanghai-based technology company that security experts believe maintains relationships with Chinese military establishments.

The research organization responsible for these findings has expressed additional concerns that major technology platforms may be generating revenue from these applications while failing to enforce transparency requirements regarding foreign ownership.

This situation raises significant questions about data privacy, national security implications, and the responsibility of application marketplace operators to properly vet software offerings available to consumers.

Over two dozen free virtual private network applications on major app stores maintain concerning links to Chinese entities, including a sanctioned firm.

Despite prior exposure of undisclosed connections to China's military apparatus, these services remain accessible to US consumers.

Both Apple's App Store and Google Play continue distributing several such VPNs, some generating revenue through in-app purchases and advertising.

Platforms profit by taking cuts from subscriptions and add-ons sold within these applications.

Among the highest-risk offerings are five VPNs tied directly to Qihoo 360, a company blacklisted by US authorities for national security reasons.

These include Turbo VPN, VPN Proxy Master, Thunder VPN, Snap VPN, and Signal Secure VPN.

Eleven additional Chinese-owned VPNs identified in recent reports also persist across both stores.

The list encompasses X-VPN, Ostrich VPN, VPNify, VPN Proxy OVPNspider, WireVPN - Fast VPN & Proxy, Now VPN, Speedy Quark VPN, Best VPN Proxy AppVPN, HulaVPN, and Pearl VPN.

Chinese-operated VPN services operate under legal frameworks requiring data retention and potential government access to user information upon request.

This directly contradicts typical VPN privacy assurances regarding no-log policies and data protection.

Multiple apps flagged in earlier investigations were quietly removed, yet numerous others persist despite security warnings.

Continued availability raises questions about store vetting processes for applications with potential foreign surveillance risks.

In a concerning development, research from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) has identified several VPN applications with potential ties to Chinese ownership that continue to be available on major app marketplaces.

The investigation revealed that multiple VPN services, including Turbo VPN, remain accessible to users through both Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store in the UK and likely other regions worldwide.

When contacted about these findings, Apple responded by explaining they maintain strict protocols requiring VPN developers to refrain from sharing user data with third parties. However, the company clarified that they do not restrict applications based solely on the geographical location of their developers.

Google has not yet provided an official response to the inquiry at the time this information was documented.

The TTP report noted that their attempts to contact several parties involved—including Apple, Google, Qihoo 360, and the app developers—were largely met with silence.

For consumers concerned about privacy and security, cybersecurity experts recommend alternatives like Privado VPN or Proton VPN for those seeking trustworthy free VPN options.

This revelation comes amid growing concerns about VPN security, following reports of data leak risks affecting billions of Android VPN users and an increase in malicious VPN applications throughout 2024. Security researchers have also warned that privacy concerns extend beyond free services to certain premium VPN providers as well.

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