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Microsoft to Retire Defender VPN Service

Microsoft has announced that it will terminate the VPN service included with Microsoft Defender, effective February 28. This news comes via an update on Windows Latest and is detailed on the company’s support pages. The VPN feature, which was part of Microsoft Defender, allowed users with personal or family Microsoft 365 subscriptions to browse the internet privately by routing their internet traffic through Microsoft servers, subject to a monthly cap of 50GB.

In a statement posted alongside the announcement, Microsoft explained its rationale: “Our goal is to ensure you, and your family remain safer online. We routinely evaluate the usage and effectiveness of our features. As such, we are removing the privacy protection feature and will invest in new areas that will better align to customer needs.” Following the discontinuation, Android users may still find the Microsoft Defender VPN profile in their settings and will need to remove it manually if they wish to do so. Users on Windows, iOS, and macOS, however, will not need to take any further action.

This change will not affect other features within Microsoft Defender. The technology giant has reassured users that protections against device threats and services related to identity theft and credit monitoring (available in the U.S.) will remain functional.

As the technology landscape continues to evolve, Microsoft’s decision reflects an ongoing assessment of customer demands and the effectiveness of current offerings. The move signals a potential shift in how the company aims to address online privacy, suggesting a future focus on enhancements that resonate more closely with user expectations and requirements.

Source
www.engadget.com