Free 'Opera VPN' App Launches on iOS With Ad Blocking and Preventative Tracking Features

[MacRumors]

Opera today announced the launch of a brand new privacy-focused app, called Opera VPN, which allows users to block ads and even change their virtual location to circumvent restricted internet access (via TechCrunch)

In addition to these features, Opera VPN will stop ad-tracking software from gaining information about your internet habits that create personalized advertisements within browsers like Safari and Chrome.

"Every day, millions of people, from students to working people, find that social-media sites like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook are blocked when they surf on their campus or workplace Wi-Fi. The same goes for video-streaming sites," Chris Houston, President of Surfeasy, Opera's VPN division, said in an announcement released this morning. "With the new Opera VPN app, we help people to break down the barriers of the web and enjoy the internet like it should be," he added.

Opera introduced a similar virtual private network feature into its OS X-based web browser in April, following its acquisition of VPN app company SurfEasy last year. Thanks to a VPN's ability to shield a user's true IP address, Opera's acquisition has let the company introduce new security-focused updates into its internet browser desktop and mobile apps.

At launch, users will be able to choose from five virtual locations, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Singapore and The Netherlands. The app will also be available in English, Arabic, French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Those interested can download Opera VPN from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Free 'Opera VPN' App Launches on iOS With Ad Blocking and Preventative Tracking Features

 

[bushido]

sweet, it actually unblocks music videos on youtube in Germany

 

[John Mcgregor]

Awesome. Finally something useful.

 

[wsc9005]

It looks good! Does that means I don't need to have ad blocker enabled on Safari anymore?

 

[Fuchal]

It looks good! Does that means I don't need to have ad blocker enabled on Safari anymore?

Yeah, it blocks them server side.

 

[Fyxxxr]

So I take it that it is pointless running a content blocker and this at the same time? Also, seems to block YouTube ads. Tested it on a few IGN videos(they force 30 second ads) and no ads.

 

[Am3r1ca16]

Wow this is awesome! Good for when I use public Wi-Fi at work and on the train stations.

 

[macintologist]

Whoever has taken over at Opera, whatever new MBAs they have running it, they have done some terrific business analysis and this is a fantastic way for them to reinvent themselves. By making VPNs mainstream, they have a huge growth opportunity. Way to go Opera!

 

[KALLT]

Who is going to pay for all of that? Connecting with a VPN, means that you are routing your traffic through another computer. There is massive potential for collecting data. Opera is also not a non-profit organisation, but a company, a company who is also doing business in online advertising.

 

[Remotewroks]

Who’s going to pay for all of that?

Ehm.

We collect data to:

• Improve, debug, and maintain Opera products and services
• Study and personalize user experiences
• Fulfill legal requirements
• Conduct business analysis and research, and marketing campaigns
• Ensure better security and fraud protection

We may share your data:

• To government bodies and law enforcement agencies to comply with the law, for example in judicial proceedings, by court order or other legal process
• To third parties (including professional advisors) to enforce or defend our legal rights, including our terms and conditions
• To a third-party purchaser or seller (including professional advisors) in connection with a corporate event such as a merger, business acquisition or insolvency situation
• As described elsewhere in this statement

What data we collect?
The information we collect may include: personal data, for example your name, email, IP-address, location; and non-personal technical data, for example who manufactured your device, your screen's resolution, your mobile operator's region and code. A complete list of the data we collect and purpose of collection may vary between our products and services. You can find detailed descriptions in the product/service-related sections below.

 

[Anijake]

Interferes with streaming AppleMusic. Can not leave it on all the time. Anyone have this?

 

[C DM]

Whoever has taken over at Opera, whatever new MBAs they have running it, they have done some terrific business analysis and this is a fantastic way for them to reinvent themselves. By making VPNs mainstream, they have a huge growth opportunity. Way to go Opera!

I guess part of it all is who exactly has taken over Opera and what, if anything, that might mean for end-users when it comes to Opera and its services.

 

[DoubleU]

Its interesting that in the UK App Store a search for "Opera VPN" doesn't bring up the app for me, although it is listed under the developer Opera Software ASA.

 

[Opera]

Ehm.

We collect data to:

• Improve, debug, and maintain Opera products and services
• Study and personalize user experiences
• Fulfill legal requirements
• Conduct business analysis and research, and marketing campaigns
• Ensure better security and fraud protection

We may share your data:

• To government bodies and law enforcement agencies to comply with the law, for example in judicial proceedings, by court order or other legal process
• To third parties (including professional advisors) to enforce or defend our legal rights, including our terms and conditions
• To a third-party purchaser or seller (including professional advisors) in connection with a corporate event such as a merger, business acquisition or insolvency situation
• As described elsewhere in this statement

What data we collect?
The information we collect may include: personal data, for example your name, email, IP-address, location; and non-personal technical data, for example who manufactured your device, your screen's resolution, your mobile operator's region and code. A complete list of the data we collect and purpose of collection may vary between our products and services. You can find detailed descriptions in the product/service-related sections below.

Hi Remoteworks:

I am not sure where these terms are conditions are coming from but they are not from Opera VPN's T&C.
Anonymized data means that data collected is not linked to any user’s identity or personally identifiable information.

 

[ardchoille50]

Yay! One easy, convenient place for Opera and the FBI to monitor our traffic!

 

[Defthand]

Odd that they would create yet another app when they could have added the VPN feature to their Coast Internet browser. The Coast browser introduced some slick interface features when it debuted but has lost traction as those features were copied.

 

[haruhiko]

User must take extra caution for anything that installs a profile to your phone or iOS devices. Also VPN means your internet traffic is routed through Opera's servers. While this new service is great, I recommend users to enable it only when they need to.

 

[Brandhouse]

Same story as DoubleU, doesn't show in Australia either.

 

[wsc9005]

No UK servers? Have to disable it when I use BBC iPlayer. It's a very good service since you can get ads blocked even on twitch app.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

Why is Opera so aggressive as of late. Was it sold? Where is the money coming from?

 

[Jessica Lares]

Visited just one page on two different sites with it enabled and it blocked 7 ads. Wow.

Not installing on my iPhone, but it's nice for browsing on my 1st gen iPad Mini which can't use the new Safari content blockers.

 

[vooke]

Wonderful, now I have less use of $7.99 a month Tunnel Bear VPN

but is the freebie sustainable?

 

[Thunderhawks]

Awesome. Finally something useful.

As long as it goes through servers who keep records it is not.

PIA Private Internet Access has worldwide servers where you can be in many countries and regions, but they erase your real IP regularly and do not keep any records.
If OPERA keeps records for bug fixing or any reason that is not okay.

PIA functions well and allows to avoid Geotagging, i.e. you can see content that is only available in a specific country.

On a side note, I always wonder why content owners make a big deal about watching something that is for instance part of a webpage, FREE for local watchers, but blocked for foreigners. I know it's all about legal usage rights, but if I can't watch it , I shrug my shoulders, but I wouldn't pay for it anyway.

Life goes on.

 

[frankbillson]

Is anyone know any other VPN which provides free vpn service and never keep logs because I read information about opera that its free version keep logs.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Is anyone know any other VPN which provides free vpn service and never keep logs because I read information about opera that its free version keep logs.

PIA is $ 34.95 a year, that's about 10 cents a day.