Study of 281 Free Android VPN Apps Finds Traffic Leaks, Unencrypted Data, and Tracking

A University of Michigan, New Mexico, and IIT Delhi study found that 281 popular free Android VPN apps on the Google Play Store have significant security flaws, including leaking user traffic, sending data in plain text, and tracking users despite promising privacy. Many of these apps, which have been installed over 2.4 billion times, fail at the basics of VPN security and rely on weak encryption and outdated protocols. The study highlights that the Play Store's 'Verified' badge is misleading and that users should carefully evaluate VPN providers and prioritize those with independent security audits.