Proton AG finds trackers in 85% of US mobile VPN downloads

Swiss security firm Proton AG has released a study revealing that 85% of mobile VPN applications downloaded in the United States contain trackers that collect and share personal user data. These trackers, often implemented through in-app advertising, gather information such as unique device IDs, device models, network types, and carrier names. Some applications were found to be actively tracking user locations via GPS.

The investigation identified 64 Chinese companies among the studied apps. Notably, 31 of these companies utilized shell companies in locations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom to obscure their origins. The report highlights concerns regarding Chinese domestic laws that allow the government to request data held by companies, noting that U.S. users have downloaded suspicious Chinese-made apps more than 3 million times.