Google recently announced its plans to discontinue the VPN service provided by Google One this year than four years after its launch, in October 2020.
Customers were informed of this decision via email although the exact date of discontinuation was not specified, with a mention that it would happen ” this year.”
The VPN by Google One was introduced as part of Googles range of services aimed at bolstering security and privacy for users on platforms such as Android, iOS, Mac and Windows.
Priced starting at $1.99 as a subscription service it was one of three VPN options offered by Google alongside those through Google Fi. On Pixel devices starting from the Pixel 7.
According to a statement given to 9to5Google the reason for ending the VPN service by Google One was due to user engagement. The company noted that the service failed to attract users suggesting that the competitive landscape in the VPN market might have influenced customer choices.
This discontinuation of the VPN service aligns with developments in Googles product lineup, with the growth of their Google One cloud storage service which recently surpassed 100 million subscribers.
Google recently announced the end of its VPN service as part of a strategy to prioritize features and benefits. This shift also involves incorporating more of Gemini AI technologies into Google Ones offerings.
With the discontinuation of the VPN service Google One joins the ranks of services, in the “Google Graveyard,” a term used by tech enthusiasts to describe Googles projects and services.
As Google continues to adjust its offerings based on user preferences and strategic objectives customers relying on the VPN service will have to seek solutions, for their privacy and security needs.