Google has decided to shut down its VPN by Google One service, which had been a part of its subscription offerings since October 2020.

The VPN feature was integrated into the Google One app across various platforms including Android, iOS, and also available for Mac and Windows. Initially, the VPN required a Premium plan at $9.99 per month but was made more accessible in March 2023 when it was included in the lower-tier $1.99 per month plan.

However, Google has observed low usage of the VPN service and has decided to discontinue it in order to allocate resources toward more popular features within Google One. This development aligns with Google’s broader strategy which includes a focus on AI-driven growth, as hinted by CEO Sundar Pichai. This move also comes amidst other changes such as making AI editing tools in Google Photos free for everyone, with the exception of unlimited use of the Magic Editor, which remains a premium feature.

While no specific timeline has been set, the VPN by Google One will be retired over the next few months. Google already notified current users to seek out alternative third-party VPN solutions as replacement.

It’s important to note that the free Pixel VPN, which debuted with the Pixel 7 series in 2022, is unaffected by this change and will continue to be available as promised for a five-year period.

Source: 9to5Google

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *