ON SPOTLIGHTVPN SecurityAnalysis of 30 Popular (Paid) Android VPNs
We tested the 30 most popular paid VPNs in the Google Play store with 732 million installs worldwide. Most were good but some had significant security and privacy flaws.
VPN, Internet Rights & Security Research
Our research and investigations explore key issues relating to VPN software, internet censorship, digital rights, and cybersecurity. Our goal is to raise awareness about these important topics. Ultimately, we aim to make the internet a safer, less restricted, and more private space for everyone.
VPN Software
VPN software has become an increasingly essential tool for people affected by surveillance and internet censorship around the world. However, as its popularity continues to grow, so too does the number of risky VPN services that pose a potential risk to users’ privacy and security.
Our VPN research aims to better understand this rapidly-changing industry through investigations into VPN demand, the motivations behind global VPN usage, and the safety of popular free VPN applications.
Our VPN research aims to better understand this rapidly-changing industry through investigations into VPN demand, the motivations behind global VPN usage, and the safety of popular free VPN applications.
VPN | StatisticsVPN Demand Surges Around the WorldThis live tracker documents VPN demand spikes around the world and provides context for these increases.
VPN | Free VPNsFree Android VPN Security Flaws: 100 Apps TestedWe tested the 100 most popular free VPN Android apps and found significant security and privacy flaws in the majority of these apps, which have 2.5 billion total installs
VPN | Free VPNsThe Dangers of Free VPNsFind all our investigations into the dangers of free VPN apps in one place. We look at ownership issues, security risks and how operators ignore Apple's privacy rules.
Internet Censorship
Internet outages, disruptions, and other forms of online censorship affect millions of people every year. Withholding access to information not only infringes on citizens’ digital rights, it also has a wider political, social, and economic impact that we explore in these investigations.
Censorship | Internet ShutdownsGovernment Internet Shutdowns Cost $7.69 Billion in 2024Our annual report analyzes every major intentional internet shutdown in 2024 and reveals that they cost the world economy $7.69 billion.
Censorship | Blocked WebsitesWebsites Blocked in Russia Since February 2022We are tracking the websites officially blocked in Russia by the authorities since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that relate to the conflict.
Censorship | Digital RightsChina’s Surveillance State: A Global ProjectResearchers Valentin Weber and Vasilis Ververis reveal the global reach of Huawei's tech and the U.S. companies that facilitate China's surveillance state.
Internet Security
Internet security and online privacy go hand-in-hand. In our security research, we track emerging trends in cybercrime to help consumers avoid common scams and understand the true value of their personal data.
Security | VulnerabilitiesCVE-2023-52424 WiFi Vulnerability: The SSID Confusion AttackThis vulnerability exploits a design flaw in the WiFi standard, allowing attackers to trick WiFi clients on any operating system into connecting to a untrusted network.
Security | VulnerabilitiesNew WiFi Authentication Vulnerabilities DiscoveredNew vulnerabilities in WiFi software allow attackers to trick victims into connecting to malicious networks and join secure networks without needing the password.
Security | Dark WebDarknet Market Prices: How Much Is Your Data Worth?The Index has been tracking the trade in hacked online accounts since 2018. Access all our research in one place and learn how to protect yourself from identity theft.
Surveillance
Surveillance technologies are becoming more pervasive, more invasive, and more sophisticated. Though some of this technology is proportionate and legitimate, some of it drastically threatens citizens’ right to privacy.
In these investigations, we explore the rise of surveillance technologies worldwide, along with the companies that power them.
In these investigations, we explore the rise of surveillance technologies worldwide, along with the companies that power them.
Surveillance | Digital RightsEmployee Monitoring Software Demand up 60% since 2019As millions of people shifted to home working, employers around the world have turned to employee surveillance software to track their employees' productivity.
Surveillance | Digital RightsPrivacy Tracker: Contact Tracing & Digital Health Certificate AppsThis live tracker documents new initiatives introduced in response to the pandemic that pose a risk to digital rights around the world.
Surveillance | Digital RightsHikvision and Dahua Surveillance Cameras: Global LocationsWe identified and mapped 6.3 million surveillance camera networks globally that use hardware from controversial Chinese firms Hikvision and Dahua.