Photo: PixieMe / Shutterstock.com
ProtonVPN has announced the deployment of servers in 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. These countries are ranked at the bottom of the Freedom House and Democracy Index.
Additionally, ProtonVPN has introduced new anti-censorship features, such as Discreet Icons and Stealth Protocol for Windows, to enhance user protection and anonymity.
The nations are notorious for their stringent control over internet access, often resorting to shutdowns during political unrest. By adding servers in these regions, Proton VPN aims to provide a lifeline to users needing secure, uncensored internet access.
Moreover, Proton VPN has launched an innovative feature for its Android application called Discreet Icons. This new functionality enables users to camouflage the Proton VPN app, making it appear as a harmless everyday application like a weather forecasting tool or a note-taking program.
This development is especially significant for individuals living under oppressive regimes where VPN usage is prohibited and can result in harsh penalties. By allowing users to conceal the app’s true purpose, this feature substantially decreases the likelihood of discovery during unexpected checks or examinations of personal devices.
Proton VPN has expanded its privacy-enhancing capabilities by introducing the Stealth Protocol to Windows users. This feature, already available on iOS, Android, and macOS platforms, employs sophisticated masking techniques to blend VPN traffic with standard internet activity.
Such obfuscation makes it challenging for authorities to identify and restrict VPN usage. By extending this protocol to Windows, Proton VPN has increased the number of users who can enjoy improved online privacy and unrestricted access to information, particularly in regions with stringent internet controls.
These updates come at a time of heightened tensions and the demand for secure internet services, driven by geopolitical events and government crackdowns.
“It has become increasingly common for authoritarian governments to go beyond purely online technical measures sto discourage or block VPN use. Certain countries have begun demanding citizens hand over their smartphones for physical inspection,” David Peterson, GM at Proton VPN, told Candid.Technology. “Protecting free speech and fighting censorship is a core part of our mission, and we’re committed to doing what we can to help users worldwide.”
In June 2024, Proton VPN expanded to five countries with credential-less logins.
In the News: Future Fords might report you for speeding
