Finding a VPN to help protect online anonymity is very overwhelming. On Google Play, one finds many thousands of VPN applications. Most of the times, users end up asking how to tell whether they can be trusted or not. To solve this problem, Google is offering a “Verified” badge for VPN applications, ensuring a user will easily find safe, reliable services.
Why is Verified Badge Important for VPN Users?
The majority of users of VPNs use them to enjoy online privacy. This comprises hiding the IP address, location, and internet activity from people with intentions to pry eyes. Not all VPN apps, however, offer the security they say they do. The new Verified badge highlights apps meeting Google’s high security standards so that the user has every reason to trust them with data.
Google defines the Verified badge as a move taken by the VPN developer to boost the security and privacy of users. Though this will not guarantee that it is protected fully, this is one step ahead of filtering unreliable or even destructive VPN apps.
VPN Verification Requirements
In order to have the Verified badge for a VPN app, several security-related moves have to be accomplished by the developer, among which are:
1. Aligning with Google Play’s safety and security policies.
2. Completing a Mobile Application Security Assessment validation as Level 2.
3. App listed on Google Play for at least 90 days.
4. Target API compliance and follows Google’s Provision of a Data Safety declaration in their app listing.
These measures ensure that verified VPN apps are reviewed for privacy compliance and have security checks.
How to identify a verified VPN app:
If a user is browsing for a VPN on Google Play, now they will find a “Verified” badge at the top of an app’s page if it meets Google’s criteria. A data safety declaration would be displayed further into the listing, confirming that it passed an independent security review.
It further helps users decide which VPN they can trust without depending on other unclear promises from developers they’ve never heard of about security.
Which VPNs Are Verified?
Google has stated in its announcement that several popular VPN providers have agreed to the verification process. NordVPN, hide.me, and Aloha Browser have completed the assessment, and their VPN will soon receive the badge of Verified.
Other major VPN developers are likely to join the ranks soon, as a badge will become the new prerequisite for attracting users. Those who don’t pass the check will not be able to compete with the verified applications.
Conclusion
It’s great news for the user seeking to download a trusted VPN with Google’s new Verified badge. This means, from such a plethora of options, that this will weed out dodgy applications and draw attention to those which have passed through the tightest security scrutiny. Users are still required to research their VPN service, but this Verified badge serves as a great guide to help users make an informed decision regarding their online privacy and security.
