Google Play adds verified badge for VPNs, as NordVPN’s new trick bypasses blocks

Free VPN apps always look enticing, and no surprise that last year saw a surge in malicious apps posing as free VPNs, or virtual private network apps designed to bypass internet restrictions, many of which turned out to be malicious. Google is updating the Play Store listings of VPN apps with a new verification badge that will distinguished an approved VPN app from the rest. Popular VPN app NordVPN has also released a new update for its platform, adding a unique protocol that’ll allow it to bypass networks that typically block VPN connections.

“This new badge is designed to highlight apps that prioritise user privacy and safety, help users make more informed choices about the VPN apps they use, and build confidence in the apps they ultimately download. This badge complements existing features such as the Google Play Store banner for VPNs and Data Safety section declaration in the Play Store,” note JJ Zou and Scott Lin, Product Managers at Google, in a statement.