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Scrape Timestamp (UTC): 2024-04-12 20:23:03.365

Source: https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/12/vpn_google_shuttered/

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Google One VPN axed for everyone but Pixel loyalists ... for now. Another one bytes the dust. In an incredibly rare move, Google is killing off one of its online services – this time, VPN for Google One. The Chocolate Factory announced it would take the virtual private network offering offline in an email to Google One subscribers and Pixel smartphone owners. The note detailed several changes to Google One that would come into effect by May 15, and also mentioned the VPN would be discontinued "later this year" for subscribers. The service was introduced in October 2020. Owners of Pixel 7 and newer phones will still be able to access the VPN even after it is unavailable for the wider public. The Pixel-exclusive VPN is free and Google previously promised it would remain available for at least five years. We think you all know what's likely to happen at the end of 2025. Google One is the web giant's subscription service that primarily offers more cloud storage for things like files, Gmail, and photos. The apparent reason for Google killing its VPN service was because demand was fatally low. "We're refocusing our efforts to support more in-demand features with Google One. To keep our subscription service fresh, we're discontinuing the VPN feature, as we found people simply weren't using it," Google said in a statement to The Register. That certainly might be true as VPN by Google One was originally limited to the $10-a-month Premium plan, but came to the cheapest Basic $2 monthly plan a year ago, perhaps to get more users using the service. At the time of writing, there's no indication on the Google One website that its VPN is going away. The feature is still listed under the benefits section and says it's available with all Google One plans. "It should come as no surprise that we want to make VPN technology available to as many users as possible," says Google's whitepaper on its moribund VPN service. However, it's unclear if Google hasn't at least tried to remove some mentions of VPN by Google One, which is only talked about sparingly overall and is overshadowed by features such as cloud storage and photo editing. The end of Google's VPN is among many things Google has discontinued over the years, according to Killed by Google. The ad giant was on a 197-day streak of not cancelling products and services, and VPN by Google is the first thing this year Google has announced it will end (so far).

Daily Brief Summary

MISCELLANEOUS // Google Ends VPN Service for Most, Retains for Pixel Users

Google is discontinuing its VPN for Google One service due to low demand, planning a complete shutdown later this year.

The VPN will remain operational exclusively for Pixel 7 and newer phone models, adhering to a previous promise by Google to provide the service for at least five years.

Google One subscribers were informed via email about the pending discontinuation of the VPN service, which is part of a broader adjustment strategy taking effect by May 15.

Initially introduced in October 2020, the VPN was only available with Google One's highest-priced plan but expanded to the basic plan a year later to encourage broader usage.

Despite the expansion, utilization remained low, leading Google to prioritize more popular features within the Google One subscription, focusing on enhancing cloud storage and other in-demand services.

There are yet no updates on the Google One website indicating the removal of the VPN feature, and it is still listed as a benefit for all plans.

This change adds to a long history of Google discontinuing services, marking the end of a 197-day streak without canceling products.