If you are an Android user, we have good news for you: you no longer need to create an account to use Proton VPN, one of the best VPN services on the market.
After a successful beta launch earlier in June, Proton has ditched credential logins for its Android VPN app. This means you can simply download the free VPN software and use it as a guest.
The move is intended to make it even easier for people around the world to protect their privacy and, more importantly, bypass geo-restrictions. In the same vein, Proton also expanded its list of free anti-censorship servers that are included in the company’s initiative to combat election manipulation.
Easier access to the open web
A virtual private network (VPN) is a privacy and security app that both encrypts internet connections and spoofs your IP address, making it appear as if you’re browsing from a completely different part of the world with a single click. That latter ability is precisely why VPN usage has been on the rise around the world recently.
In its latest report, the digital rights advocacy group Access Now described 2023 as the “worst year of internet shutdowns on record” since they began monitoring in 2016. In addition to widespread blackouts of fixed and mobile connectivity, 53 platform blocks were enforced across 25 countries during the year. The election year for excellence, 2024, is expected to be even worse.
Authorities in Senegal and Pakistan have already clamped down on the internet during elections, and other countries continue to plunge citizens into digital darkness during times of political unrest. This is what is happening in parts of Turkey, for example, following several anti-Syrian protests at the time of writing.
“As authoritarian governments increasingly try to curtail the freedoms of their citizens, we at Proton VPN are increasingly trying to defend those same freedoms,” said David Peterson, General Manager at Proton VPN.
As part of its ongoing support for freedom of expression and the fight against censorship, Proton launched its election support initiative in early March. This means that all users logging in from high-risk countries will have free access to super-fast anti-censorship servers for two weeks before and two weeks after the big day. From the 16 supported countries, the list now includes five more: Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Brazil.
“Protecting free speech and fighting censorship is a daily battle. This initiative and the launch of Credential-less logins on Android are part of our long-term commitment to advancing freedom online,” Peterson added.
It’s also not a random choice to make VPN access on Android easier. Recent data suggests It is the most widespread operating system among smartphone users, accounting for over 70% worldwide. This is especially true in developing countries, which are also more at risk of election blackouts.
You can now use Proton VPN’s free plan by simply signing up as a guest. This means you don’t even need an email address to connect. The company hopes to make access to censorship-busting technologies more accessible than ever to those who need it most.
Want to know which 21 countries are participating in the initiative? Then head over to Proton’s official blog post.