Brave, the privacy-focused browser that is very popular because it prevents websites from tracking you and offers an ad-free experience, came out with a development that users complained about. It turned out that the browser installed VPN without users’ consent.

Windows users who download Brave are exposed to the company’s own VPN service, Brave, whether they want it or not. Firewall + VPN too to download. The information received also shows that this has been happening since 2022.

It was announced that the Windows-only issue will be fixed with a future update.

It should be noted that this situation only affects Windows users. Such a situation does not exist in other operating systems. User VPN service downloaded without permission and available with a paid subscription, Unless subscribed to, it will remain on the device without being activated. We know that Brave is a browser that values ​​privacy and transparency. However, installing a VPN without permission is not very transparent.

A Brave administrator issued a statement on Github regarding the matter. The message states that this behavior of the browser with a future update It is said that it will change. It also adds that after this change, the service will only be downloaded after the user has purchased it.

The statement did not provide any information on whether the VPNs installed on those who had already downloaded Brave would be removed. Users on the VPN device can manually delete the service if they wish. It is of course unknown whether they will be reinstalled when the update is performed. You can find out whether VPN has been added to you via the “Services” application in Windows.