# Study of 281 Free Android VPN Apps Reveals Traffic Leaks and Unencrypted Data

A study of 281 free Android VPN apps found that many leak network traffic, leave data unencrypted, and contain trackers. This undermines the privacy protection users expect from a VPN, exposing them to surveillance and data theft. The findings highlight the risks of relying on free VPN services.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### Security
- [The Hacker News](https://thehackernews.com/2026/07/study-of-281-free-android-vpn-apps.html) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:26:23 +0530