Onavo was an Israeli VPN company before it was acquired by Facebook in 2013. While in the course of 5 years, Facebook seems to be not using this company for their social media platform, it seems that starting in 2018, the social media giant will start to implement the Onavo VPN on its platform. It is dubbed the Facebook Protect, and it might still only be available in certain countries as of today. While it is said that Facebook Protect is designed to help protect the user’s private information and data, it seems that the real purpose of this VPN service is not as good as it seems to be.
When the users click the link that says “Protect” on their Facebook homepage, they will be redirected to the app store page for the Onavo VPN. This is where the users can install the VPN service on their device and start protecting their data. However, upon examining the privacy policy of the Onavo VPN, the free VPN service doesn’t quite seem to be protective of the user’s privacy. Here are the things that you need to know about Facebook Onavo VPN and why it is not recommended for you to use:
1. Just Like Any Other Free VPN Services, It Is A Bad VPN Service
When a product is offered for free online, it usually means that the users are the real product. What Onavo VPN is trying to do is that it is trying to mine the user’s data and track their online activity in exchange of giving them the free VPN connection. This is why you don’t trust free virtual private network services because most of them come with the big catch for the users. When you use the Facebook Protect feature, be sure to understand that you are just giving this social media platform more ways to access your personal and private information and use them for their own benefits.
2. It Collects Your Data And Personal Information
Before downloading or installing the Facebook Protect VPN on your mobile device, you have to read and understand about the privacy policy that they have on their official page. By using this private connection service, you give the service provider permission to collect your data and information on your device. So, it is not really protecting your data. Unlike the real VPN services that are dedicated to protect the user’s private information and keep them secure and anonymous online, the Facebook Onavo VPN is doing the exact opposite.
3. It Monitors And Track Your Mobile Usage
Facebook is using their new Onavo VPN feature to allow them to spy on their user’s online behaviors. Although it can only be installed on their mobile devices, it is more than enough for the social media platform to collect the data about your app usage on your device. The privacy policy specifically said that this virtual private network service is working to monitor all of your online activity, including the websites that you visit, the apps that you use, how often you are using the apps, and so on.
4. It Acts More Like A Spyware Than A VPN Service
Many tech analysts try to warn the users that Facebook Protect, a new feature that is still available in select regions, might lead you into installing a spyware that poses as a free VPN service. This is because by installing Onavo VPN on your device, you are essentially letting Facebook to know about your every move online, and in so doing, it doesn’t protect your privacy at all. In fact, it keeps on spying on you and collect all your important data on their servers. As a result, you are being exposed all the time.
5. It Betrays All The Purpose Of A Virtual Private Network
In the world where internet restrictions are becoming more common, VPN comes as the savior that helps people to bypass those restrictions and give their online freedom back. Also, the virtual private network is working to keep the user’s online activity private and secure without having any intention to spy on their behaviors online. This is because most private network services hold the user’s privacy as the highest priority, and they are trying their best to honor the rights of everyone to use the internet freely and openly. Facebook Onavo VPN doesn’t hold the same views as most private network services out there, and therefore, it shouldn’t be called a VPN service in the first place.
When it comes to choosing the right virtual private network service for you, make sure that your chosen private connection service can truly protect your online privacy and security. Also, you have to ensure that your online activity is not monitored by the service provider itself, as well as any other third parties. It is not recommended for you to use a free VPN service like Facebook Protect or Onavo, and instead, you should find the reputable service provider that truly honors your privacy rights as an internet user.