Google One VPN Shutting Down: Another Dead Product from the Tech Giant
In another blow to its already struggling reputation, Google has announced the shutdown of its Google One VPN service. The news comes just a week after we complained about the lackluster service, and it seems that not many people were using it either, as Google cites “low usage” as the reason for the shutdown.
The Google One VPN was launched in 2020 as a bonus feature for paying Google One subscribers. It offered a flexible and widely supported platform, with clients available for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. However, with its shutdown, Google will be ending VPN support for Windows and Mac, leaving only the Pixel and Fi VPNs, which are exclusive to their respective platforms.
According to a statement from a Google spokesperson, the shutdown is due to “low usage,” and the Windows client was also known to be super buggy. It’s easier for Google to shut down the service rather than investing time and resources into fixing these issues. The shutdown is expected to happen later in 2024, but there is no specific date set yet.
This latest move by Google only adds to their growing list of dead products, which include the Google Plus social network, the Google Allo messaging app, and the Google Hangouts video conferencing tool. It seems that Google is struggling to keep up with the ever-changing technology landscape and is constantly reevaluating its offerings.
The shutdown of the Google One VPN represents a significant loss for users who relied on the service for their online privacy and security. The Pixel and Fi VPNs may continue to run, but it’s unclear how long they will be supported or if they too will eventually be discontinued.
In conclusion, Google’s decision to shut down the Google One VPN is a disappointing one, especially for those who were hoping for a more comprehensive and widely supported VPN service from the tech giant. With its demise, users must now look elsewhere for their online privacy and security needs.