Microsoft Defender VPN Service Ending for Microsoft 365 Subscribers

Microsoft Defender’s Privacy Protection Feature: A Recent Shift

In 2023, Microsoft introduced a new feature called Privacy Protection as part of Microsoft Defender, designed to enhance user security. This feature combines robust VPN capabilities, ensuring users can safely connect their devices to open and public Wi-Fi networks. By masking IP addresses and locations, Privacy Protection effectively curtails online tracking by websites, apps, and advertisers, while also encrypting user data to prevent interception by hackers.

Global Expansion of the Feature

Last year marked a significant expansion for the Privacy Protection feature, as Microsoft extended its availability across multiple platforms—including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android—within the UK, Germany, and Canada. The company plans to broaden the reach further, adding the feature in ten more countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Discontinuation Announcement

Recently, Microsoft announced the discontinuation of its VPN service. The company provided the following rationale:

“Our goal is to ensure you and your family remain safer online. We routinely evaluate the usage and effectiveness of our features. As such, we are removing the privacy protection feature and will invest in new areas that will better align with customer needs.”

Ongoing Support for Other Defender Features

While some users may find the removal of the VPN service discouraging, Microsoft reassured users that other Defender functions—such as device protection and identity theft monitoring (in the US)—will continue to be supported and enhanced.

Steps for Android Users

For Microsoft Defender users on Windows, iOS, and macOS, no action is required in light of this change. However, Android users should follow these steps to remove the now-discontinued VPN profile:

Open your device’s Settings app.
Type ‘VPN‘ in the search bar.
If you had previously set up Privacy Protection, a ‘Microsoft Defender‘ VPN profile will appear in the list.
Tap the info icon and select to remove the profile.

Looking Ahead

Although the discontinuation of the VPN service may disappoint some users, Microsoft’s focus on enhancing other security features may ultimately provide greater benefits to its user community. By redirecting resources to align with evolving customer needs, Microsoft aims to strengthen its overall security offerings.

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