Priyanka Tiwari
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In a startling revelation, at least five VPN apps listed on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store were found to have links to the Chinese military, according to a joint investigation by the Tech Transparency Project and the Financial Times.
These apps, which claim to protect users’ privacy, have collectively been downloaded over a million times before their suspicious affiliations came to light.
The Five VPN Apps Under Scrutiny
Turbo VPN
VPN Proxy Master
Thunder VPN
Snap VPN
Signal Secure VPN (not related to the Signal messaging app)
Links to Qihoo 360 and Military Monitoring
The investigation traced these apps back to Qihoo 360, a cybersecurity firm sanctioned by the U.S. government in 2020 for its alleged ties to China’s military. The U.S. Department of Defense has even classified Qihoo 360 as a military-affiliated company.
Another associated entity, Guangzhou Lianchuang, was found to be recruiting professionals “well-versed in American culture” to monitor and analyze data—raising serious concerns about what information might be collected through these apps.
Apple Responds, But Questions Remain
After being notified by the Financial Times, Apple removed Thunder VPN and Snap VPN from its App Store. However, the remaining apps—Turbo VPN, VPN Proxy Master, and Signal Secure VPN—are still available for download, prompting criticism of app store review processes.
Apple has since stated:
“We take privacy and security extremely seriously. Apps that do not comply with our guidelines will be removed.”
Despite this assurance, experts and users alike are questioning how these apps bypassed existing vetting systems and remained active for so long.
The Bigger Issue: Can VPNs Be Trusted?
VPNs are meant to protect online privacy by encrypting user data and masking IP addresses. But this incident raises a disturbing question: What if the VPN itself is the threat?
The growing popularity of free VPN apps makes users vulnerable to state-sponsored surveillance, particularly when app developers are linked to foreign intelligence or military entities.
Takeaways for Users
Avoid using free VPN apps without researching their origin and data policies
Check for transparency in app ownership and privacy terms
Stick with reputable VPN providers with strong records of data protection
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