Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of its Privacy Protection VPN feature in the Microsoft Defender app by the end of February 2025. This decision is part of the company's strategy to focus on other features within the app.

Reasons Behind the Decision

The tech giant did not provide a detailed explanation for the removal of the VPN feature. However, the announcement suggests that the feature has not seen significant usage, prompting Microsoft to redirect resources towards more popular features.

About the Privacy Protection VPN

Introduced as part of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions, the Privacy Protection VPN was available on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. It offered subscribers 50 GB of monthly data to secure their connections, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.

Automatic Security Enhancements

In September 2024, Microsoft enhanced the VPN's functionality by enabling automatic detection of unsecured connections. This feature aimed to protect users from Man-in-the-Middle (MiTM) and Evil Twin attacks.

Impact on Users

Despite these enhancements, the VPN feature did not gain widespread adoption, particularly in the U.S. market. With its removal set for February 28, 2025, Microsoft assures users that other security features such as device protection, identity theft monitoring, and credit monitoring (U.S. only) will remain available.

Action Required for Android Users

While no action is required for Windows, iOS, and macOS users, Android users should remove the Defender VPN profile to prevent network browsing issues post-support. To do this, navigate to Settings → VPN → Profiles → Microsoft Defender, then click info and remove it. Note that steps may vary based on Android or OEM versions.

Context of the Decision

This move follows a recent price increase for Microsoft 365 subscriptions, the first in 12 years, which coincided with the integration of AI-powered features like Copilot into Office applications. The removal of the VPN feature shortly after this price hike may not sit well with some users.

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