讀後心得

A recent survey indicates that five popular VPN applications are suspected of having connections with the Chinese military, potentially threatening user privacy and security. Among them, Turbo VPN and Snap VPN have been removed from the Apple Store, while Google Play has not yet taken action. The development companies of these VPNs are all linked to the Chinese firm "Qihoo 360," which has been sanctioned by the United States due to its close ties with the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Cybersecurity experts are concerned that these VPNs may leak user personal information.

Five popular VPN applications are suspected to be linked to the Chinese military, putting users' privacy at risk. An increasing number of people use VPNs to bypass regional restrictions for watching films, gaming, or enhancing online security, but is the VPN on your mobile device truly secure? According to a recent international investigation, five popular VPN applications are suspected to have connections with the Chinese military, with three of them having over a million downloads. Currently, Apple has taken the lead in removing two of these apps, while Google Play has yet to take action, leaving many users concerned.

Reports indicate that an in-depth investigation conducted by a certain media outlet in the UK, along with a technology transparency project, shows that the development companies behind Turbo VPN, VPN Proxy Master, Thunder VPN, Snap VPN, and Signal Secure VPN can be traced back to the Chinese company "Qihoo 360." This company has been listed on the U.S. government's sanctions list since 2020 due to its close ties with the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and the U.S. Department of Defense has identified it as a "Chinese military-associated company." The investigation further points out that at least one related development company is currently recruiting professionals for monitoring and data analysis platforms, with job requirements explicitly stating the need for "familiarity with American culture," raising concerns about potential data collection practices targeting specific regions or users.

Cybersecurity experts express concern as these VPNs ostensibly claim to protect privacy and encrypt connections, but in reality, they may leak users' personal information. Currently, Apple has removed Turbo VPN and Snap VPN, while Google Play has not taken any action. Experts indicate that the original purpose of VPNs was to enhance online security, prevent the risks of public Wi-Fi attacks, and allow users to access audio and video content and games from different regions. However, the security of a VPN largely depends on the ethics and policies of the development company behind it. If the operators of a VPN cooperate with government surveillance of users' internet records, IP locations, or even personal data, users' privacy could be at risk of exposure.

The report mentions that according to Apple's previous policies, all Chinese VPN applications that fail to meet user privacy protection requirements have been comprehensively removed since 2017. However, as some Chinese companies enter the international market through investment or by posing as overseas developers, these risks have once again risen.