Google has announced that it is shutting down its free add-on service, VPN by Google One, in the coming months after it was launched less than four years ago.
For those unaware, in October 2020, Google rolled out a free virtual private network (VPN) service called “VPN by Google One” in select countries to all customers with 2TB or higher subscription plans on Google One, its subscription-based cloud storage service.
Further, the free VPN service was advertised as an “extra layer of online protection for your Android phone” and that allows for “peace of mind that your data is safe.”
However, 9to5Google reports that the company is now emailing Google One users to notify them of its shutdown.
“With a focus on providing the most in-demand features and benefits, we’re discontinuing free shipping for select print orders from Google Photos (in Canada, the UK, US, and EU) starting on May 15 and VPN by Google One later this year,” reads the email sent to the users.
Although the email doesn’t mention the specific reason for the shutdown or the exact closing date for the Google One VPN service, a company spokesperson told 9to5Google that the company is discontinuing the VPN feature because the team “found people simply weren’t using it.”
The spokesperson also added that the deprecation will allow the team to “refocus” and “support more in-demand features with Google One.”
However, owners of Google’s Pixel 7 smartphones and above will still be able to use the free built-in VPN by Google One feature after it is unavailable through the Settings app on Pixel devices.
In addition, the VPN feature available with Google Fi wireless service will also be available.
Besides the above, Google also announced the availability of Magic Editor, an AI-based photo editing tool in Google Photos, to all Pixel users, which was initially limited to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users.
