Privacy Without Compromise: Proton VPN is Now Built Into Vivaldi

[gabrielwoj]

Not liking how some of the updates to Vivaldi has been deployed recently. Some things like setting the announcement of a new default search engine (which, at least, they asked the user if they wanted to change to it, and it didn't set automatically to default, so that's something).

Then there was the "Share Vivaldi" icon that seems to show up in every new update. I'm not someone who really posts on Social Media that much or send links to others for things I use, and, changing browsers is something that not everyone does. It takes time to learn the new design and everything.

I already dislike the other browsers adding too much social media integration, and while the "Share Vivaldi" icon is just a "copy this message + link", it still feels similar to it.

And now, this VPN partnership. It's possible that I'm not the only one, but I use Vivaldi more for the personalization-side than for privacy. Vivaldi never felt like a too heavily privacy-heavy browser to me, especially because part of the code is closed (mostly the visual elements), while the backend is open, since it's based off Chromium.

"Free VPNs" have for the most part, being very sketchy. I'm not doubting ProtonVPN's stance on how they handle the data, but there has been other browsers in the past with "free" VPNs that would take an absurd amount of user data. Although I haven't clicked the "VPN" icon when the update was released, I'm not sure if the pop-up that appears is perfectly clear and transparent with how the data is handled when using the free version.

Definitely not a fan of the extension just installing by automatic. An user could have just closed the "what's new tab page" of the update, and not realizing why the button was there, or, may just click it out of sheer curiosity. As well that this is a third-party extension and not integrated into the browser itself (which, still should require an user-input to allow it or not).

Lastly, companies can change CEO positions, and their values can change as well. I wouldn't feel safe in using a third-party extension that could have that happen, and so happen that their free VPN service data handling completely changes, which may or may not be warned for the users, as it's Proton-sided and not Vivaldi-sided. Yes, I use some third-party extensions to enhance my browser, but this was my decision, user-input, meanwhile this VPN thing is, for the most part, user-oriented, but those who clicked it installed without others knowing.

I do understand the reasons with these partnerships and stuff, keeping this somewhat-niche browser is difficult money-wise, so I can get past by things like the "Share Vivaldi" icon and such, but the way this VPN partnership was handled was not very well. While I haven't been a user of the snapshots release, it would be more appropriate to test these out (with proper user-input and acknowledgement when pressing things).

Will probably be still sticking to Vivaldi despite this, as I use more for personalization-side and not privacy, but those last additions to the browser have been slowly adding a sense of mistrust to the team for me. This can still be "salvaged" by adding proper user-prompts and not installing the thing altogether by just clicking on it. And while we speak, the ProtonVPN extension page already have been getting some 1 out of 5 stars by Vivaldi users who didn't ask to get installed, so not a very good look.

I don't normally post here on these forums, but I have been using Vivaldi since its very early days. I have enjoyed the browser very much since then, and I applaud to everyone to the community and the developers who have been hard at work in making this cool customization-rich browser. But at the same time, I hope these recent decisions may be more planned throughout before releasing to every Vivaldi user.

[JyuSensei]

@ThePfromtheO

So...
Workspaces, just a half baked window within a window. Would be useful if each workspace had their own speed dial.
Dashboard, just a half baked widget implementation that would steal space from my speed dials. Besides, I like having stuff in their designated place, not everything jammed into a single place.
Mail client, since it's implementation not once have I managed to get gmail oauth to stick after a relaunching the browser. And frankly speaking, an inferior product to Opera 12 mail client.
Calendar, have to use Outlook.
New Address bar, it is a fucking mess of recommending the wrong things all the time. Disabled all that shit, it only shows the url now.
Content blocker, 1/4 baked blocker with the functionality of a wet noddle in a tug competition.
VPN, I tried the Proton free tier before. For what I want it is not worth to pay the full price of it.

[TyrionTargaryen]

Silly nitpick. I already had the Proton VPN extension installed, logged in to my account and all.
Since this update, the icon is replaced with the VPN button. Is there a way to restore the Proton VPN extension icon? I find it more visually appealing that a text button next to all my text-less extension icons.

Edit: Just wanted to let others know, if you remove the "VPN" button from the toolbar with the Proton VPN extension already installed, the Proton VPN icon reappears. So it's a very easy fix. Just right click on the "VPN" icon and choose "Customize Toolbar" then drag the button off the toolbar.

Edit2: Something has changed overnight. Today I started Vivaldi on the desktop and the Proton icon has been replaced with the "VPN" text icon. Removing it from the interface disables the extension. In the end I had to drag it to the status bar because it looks ugly next to the other extension icons. I hope this is a bug and not a choice by Vivaldi to remove user choice.

Edit3: That was no solution. If you click on the VPN icon on the status bar, the VPN icon becomes duplicated again next to the other extensions. This is really weird and undesirable.

[Taiga]

@electryon Well, the only browsers based on Chromium I'm aware of are Edge, Chrome, Vivaldi, Slimjet, and Brave. I think there is another, more recent browser, but its name eludes me. I think it's obvious why Chrome wouldn't adopt it, but it's common for browsers not to implement useful features, even features one might think are fundamental to a browser. For example, Vivaldi is the only browser I'm aware of that has advanced history and bookmark management and session management. Normally, one would need a third-party extension for these things.

But you make a fair point. I wasn't aware of that. When I looked at the license, I didn't see anything like that. However, it still doesn't contend with the overarching point, which is Vivaldi's apparent lack of interest in the built-in ad blocker. Like I said, I hope this new partnership will lead to greater investment in and major improvements to the built-in ad blocker to make it as powerful as Brave's. If not, then I'm not sure what they're going for here.

[zmeYpc]

Interesting side effect: the Currency widget stops working when using Proton VPN. I think this is due to some Norway <> Netherlands blocking. EDIT1: It is working again; initially there was an error message "Failed to fetch exchange rates."
Incidentally, https://mail.bg (a Bulgarian email provider) also blocks Proton VPN. EDIT2: According to my previous tests, the mail.bg blocking of Proton VPN does not happen if you change to a special US (not all VPN servers are good), UK or DE Proton IP.
We are in need of a whitelist implementation.

[luetage]

@zmeYpc Good catch, but I’m not sure Vivaldi can do something about that.

[zmeYpc]

@luetage: It is working again; I had to disconnect and reconnect several times: I reached the Netherlands as usual.

[szikar]

Woooow! Thx Vivaldi Team!

[enricps]

It doesn't work the download web page, it appears an error:
ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR

[enricps]

And the same with https://help.vivaldi.com

[Catweazle]

@Gort said in Privacy Without Compromise: Proton VPN is Now Built Into Vivaldi:

@Stardust said in Privacy Without Compromise: Proton VPN is Now Built Into Vivaldi:

I am confused, if you click on that new VPN button, will Proton VPN extension be installed without any confirmation? This is pretty bad imo

While I'm fine with the inclusion of this VPN, I do think it's wrong to have this install without any confirmation or warning by simply clicking the toolbar button. There could have been a confirmation dialogue on first start with the new feature or just a confirmation when clicking the button (preferably the first).

No, not on the first clic, it is only activated when you log in, not before.

[kovdraman]

It's not a partnership when only one side declares it. It's promo of third-party product just to find additional funds. There's no any info about Vivaldi on official Protons site recently.

[aplan]

Grabbing my head ‍️

They announced VPN in the browser with great aplomb. In fact, it turned out to be an ordinary extension, which could be installed before.

What is the essence of innovation? I was thinking that Vivaldi got some kind of exclusivity from ProtonVPN and there would be a special tariff plan. But no, the default is the standard limited tariff.

There is no reason to switch to Vivaldi, as such a VPN can be installed in any browser.

What are you counting on? Marketing PR? There you have been told for ages to implement cryptowallet and AI. That will more than overwhelm the existing PR. Do you realise that you are only disappointing your users with such an over-the-top VPN?

[Nekomajin]

I updated my PC yesterday but didn't update my laptop. Today I opened my laptop and found the Proton VPN extension auto-installed on Vivaldi 7.2. It had the default Proton icon, not the custom one made by Vivaldi.

WHAT THE HECK? Really? I guess the extension was synced between my computers, but REALLY? You will just install third-party stuff from now on in the background without askining for permisson?

Seriously, the roll-out of this feature was managed so bad.

[npro]

@aplan said in Privacy Without Compromise: Proton VPN is Now Built Into Vivaldi:

it turned out to be an ordinary extension, which could be installed before.
There is no reason to switch to Vivaldi, as such a VPN can be installed in any browser.

I haven't tried it, does it accept the vivaldi account automatically or you still have to go through a sign-up process? Maybe that's the (minor) benefit of it to not need to do all the sign-up steps, which could be considered convenience for Vivaldi users.

[Pesala]

@Catweazle said in Privacy Without Compromise: Proton VPN is Now Built Into Vivaldi:

No, not on the first clic, it is only activated when you log in, not before.

On first click, the extension is installed and enabled. You have to login to start using it, or go to the extensions page to disable it to avoid nags about being unable to connect to the VPN server.

[DoctorG]

@Nekomajin said in Privacy Without Compromise: Proton VPN is Now Built Into Vivaldi:

I guess the extension was synced between my computers

Yes, if you hat enabled Sync for Extensions.

[Mchl]

Well that's just great. Started my day with automatically installing software that might get me fired. Acceptable use policy in many companies don't allow for use of VPNs and just having one installed can be treated as a violation. Vivaldi just shot itself in a foot with this one.

[Catweazle]

@Pesala, no nags, even if you open i you can delete it after this simply right clicking on the icon and delete it like any other extension.

[DoctorG]

@Mchl The extension does not activate VPN, if you do not click it and do not login to Proton.

Remove the vpn button in extension bar by context menu.
Remove the VPN extension in Extension manager (Ctrl+Shift+E).
And all is fine.