Proton VPN Rolls Out Three Important Anti-Censorship Updates

Proton continues to fight for basic free speech

Why this matters

These updates make it easier to bypass internet censorship, and it's as easy as just switching on the VPN.

Proton is a Swiss-based VPN provider known for its commitment to privacy. Just last month, the company made it safer to share sensitive information via their password manager. And now, they've introduced a few changes intended to combat censorship.

In a press release sent to Lifewire, the company detailed the changes which include new servers for countries most at risk of censorship, an anti-censorship protocol for the Windows app, and a new way for Android users to hide the VPN app on their devices.

Proton has added local VPN servers in 12 countries. Chosen based on threats like authoritarian rule and decreasing civil liberties, they include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. These new servers let people in those areas access the internet freely.

Additionally, Windows users can now use the company's exclusive Stealth protocol for increased protection. Proton calls it an "undetectable" protocol designed to make it harder for governments and ISPs to see that a VPN is being used, thus lowering the odds that the traffic will be blocked. The Stealth protocol is also available on other platforms.

Proton VPN is also available on Android. Today's update includes a small but helpful change where users can swap out the app icon for something less conspicuous. Helpful in regions where police might randomly inspect the phone, users can change out the standard Proton VPN logo for something more generic. Options include a weather app, a to-do list, and a few others.

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