Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Brite
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (Cyborg)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Brand Logo

CIRCLE WITH A DOT

  1. Home
  2. Uncategorized
  3. Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background.

Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background.

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Uncategorized
51 Posts 26 Posters 0 Views
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

    @semitones https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/21033-second-donation-to-grapheneos-by-the-proton-foundation

    semitones@tiny.tilde.websiteS This user is from outside of this forum
    semitones@tiny.tilde.websiteS This user is from outside of this forum
    semitones@tiny.tilde.website
    wrote last edited by
    #6

    @protonprivacy I thought grapheneos still depends on google to fix bugs in the underlying AOSP, I'm talking a Linux OS that can run android apps

    okuna@social.tchncs.deO 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • R relay@relay.publicsquare.global shared this topic
    • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

      Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background.

      If you're using ANY VPN on Android, you can help us by getting Google's attention to fix it.

      We first reported this bug to Google in September 2025.

      Others like @mullvadnet and Wireguard reported it even earlier, in August.

      Google's response? "I don't see anything unusual."

      Here's what's actually happening ⤵️

      ojocle_olonam@mastodon.socialO This user is from outside of this forum
      ojocle_olonam@mastodon.socialO This user is from outside of this forum
      ojocle_olonam@mastodon.social
      wrote last edited by
      #7

      @protonprivacy @mullvadnet is this an issue in @GrapheneOS too or was it fixed there?

      quixote@mastodon.nzQ 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

        @semitones https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/21033-second-donation-to-grapheneos-by-the-proton-foundation

        A This user is from outside of this forum
        A This user is from outside of this forum
        abhiyantrik@mastodon.social
        wrote last edited by
        #8

        @protonprivacy @semitones That was 2 years back as per the link. They need regular support. Please prioritize this.

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • R relay@relay.an.exchange shared this topic
        • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

          The bug corrupts Android's network stack at the system level after a VPN update, causing users to blame their VPN provider.

          Restarting the app doesn't help, with the only fix being a full device reboot or VPN app reinstall, something which most users never figure out.

          This affects several VPN providers on Android 16, and only Google has the access to diagnose it properly.

          After 7 months of waiting, we're now asking publicly: Google, when are you fixing this?

          raisondetredev@mastodon.deR This user is from outside of this forum
          raisondetredev@mastodon.deR This user is from outside of this forum
          raisondetredev@mastodon.de
          wrote last edited by
          #9

          @protonprivacy @mullvadnet Since you are saying that only Google can inspect the issue, can one correctly assume that in projects as @GrapheneOS VPNs are not affected?

          Because on personal anecdote, I cannot recall an issue forcing a reboot in the last months regarding VPN use.

          okuna@social.tchncs.deO splinux@mastodon.unoS 2 Replies Last reply
          0
          • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

            Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background.

            If you're using ANY VPN on Android, you can help us by getting Google's attention to fix it.

            We first reported this bug to Google in September 2025.

            Others like @mullvadnet and Wireguard reported it even earlier, in August.

            Google's response? "I don't see anything unusual."

            Here's what's actually happening ⤵️

            rapsneezy@mastodon.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
            rapsneezy@mastodon.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
            rapsneezy@mastodon.social
            wrote last edited by
            #10

            @protonprivacy @mullvadnet

            are you guys still Trump supporters?

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

              Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background.

              If you're using ANY VPN on Android, you can help us by getting Google's attention to fix it.

              We first reported this bug to Google in September 2025.

              Others like @mullvadnet and Wireguard reported it even earlier, in August.

              Google's response? "I don't see anything unusual."

              Here's what's actually happening ⤵️

              blueluma@mastodon.socialB This user is from outside of this forum
              blueluma@mastodon.socialB This user is from outside of this forum
              blueluma@mastodon.social
              wrote last edited by
              #11

              @protonprivacy @mullvadnet thanks for stepping in and telling us 🫶

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

                Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background.

                If you're using ANY VPN on Android, you can help us by getting Google's attention to fix it.

                We first reported this bug to Google in September 2025.

                Others like @mullvadnet and Wireguard reported it even earlier, in August.

                Google's response? "I don't see anything unusual."

                Here's what's actually happening ⤵️

                bayo@me.dmB This user is from outside of this forum
                bayo@me.dmB This user is from outside of this forum
                bayo@me.dm
                wrote last edited by
                #12

                @protonprivacy @mullvadnet
                Who gets hurt most:
                Not the average user streaming Netflix. The people most exposed are exactly the people VPNs exist to protect i.e. journalists in hostile environments, activists, whistleblowers, people in countries where unencrypted traffic gets people killed. Silent VPN failure in those contexts isn't inconvenient. It's dangerous.

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

                  The bug corrupts Android's network stack at the system level after a VPN update, causing users to blame their VPN provider.

                  Restarting the app doesn't help, with the only fix being a full device reboot or VPN app reinstall, something which most users never figure out.

                  This affects several VPN providers on Android 16, and only Google has the access to diagnose it properly.

                  After 7 months of waiting, we're now asking publicly: Google, when are you fixing this?

                  okuna@social.tchncs.deO This user is from outside of this forum
                  okuna@social.tchncs.deO This user is from outside of this forum
                  okuna@social.tchncs.de
                  wrote last edited by
                  #13

                  @protonprivacy You could never rely on Google network stack.

                  And by the way, Apple is also bypassing VPN sometimes.

                  Link Preview Image
                  Warnung: Android leakt beim Connectivity-Check Daten an VPN-Verbindungen vorbei

                  Aktuell prüfe ich für die Artikelserie »Custom-ROMs« gerade das Datensendeverhalten bekannter Android-ROMs. Dabei ist mir etwas aufgefallen…

                  favicon

                  (www.kuketz-blog.de)

                  "We have looked into the feature request you have reported and would like to inform you that this is working as intended. We do not think such an option would be understandable by most users, so we don’t think there is a strong case for offering this."

                  And the arrogance Google is showing is not new as well and gives me the feeling this is not a bug but it works as designed

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • raisondetredev@mastodon.deR raisondetredev@mastodon.de

                    @protonprivacy @mullvadnet Since you are saying that only Google can inspect the issue, can one correctly assume that in projects as @GrapheneOS VPNs are not affected?

                    Because on personal anecdote, I cannot recall an issue forcing a reboot in the last months regarding VPN use.

                    okuna@social.tchncs.deO This user is from outside of this forum
                    okuna@social.tchncs.deO This user is from outside of this forum
                    okuna@social.tchncs.de
                    wrote last edited by
                    #14

                    @raisondetredev @protonprivacy @mullvadnet @GrapheneOS +1

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • semitones@tiny.tilde.websiteS semitones@tiny.tilde.website

                      @protonprivacy I thought grapheneos still depends on google to fix bugs in the underlying AOSP, I'm talking a Linux OS that can run android apps

                      okuna@social.tchncs.deO This user is from outside of this forum
                      okuna@social.tchncs.deO This user is from outside of this forum
                      okuna@social.tchncs.de
                      wrote last edited by
                      #15

                      @semitones @protonprivacy as far as I know, not in AOSP, because this is open source and I have read or heard that gos is fixing things Google doesn't fix.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • raisondetredev@mastodon.deR raisondetredev@mastodon.de

                        @protonprivacy @mullvadnet Since you are saying that only Google can inspect the issue, can one correctly assume that in projects as @GrapheneOS VPNs are not affected?

                        Because on personal anecdote, I cannot recall an issue forcing a reboot in the last months regarding VPN use.

                        splinux@mastodon.unoS This user is from outside of this forum
                        splinux@mastodon.unoS This user is from outside of this forum
                        splinux@mastodon.uno
                        wrote last edited by
                        #16

                        @raisondetredev @protonprivacy @mullvadnet @GrapheneOS happens very frequently. It's a real bug. And both reinstall and reboot are required.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

                          The bug corrupts Android's network stack at the system level after a VPN update, causing users to blame their VPN provider.

                          Restarting the app doesn't help, with the only fix being a full device reboot or VPN app reinstall, something which most users never figure out.

                          This affects several VPN providers on Android 16, and only Google has the access to diagnose it properly.

                          After 7 months of waiting, we're now asking publicly: Google, when are you fixing this?

                          tehstu@hachyderm.ioT This user is from outside of this forum
                          tehstu@hachyderm.ioT This user is from outside of this forum
                          tehstu@hachyderm.io
                          wrote last edited by
                          #17

                          @protonprivacy I've had this happen to me on Mullvad, Proton, and my Wireguard link to my home router. And honestly, from the description, I think the issue may be even older, as I'm almost positive the DDG local tracker blocker used to do this.

                          I had no idea it was an known issue in Android itself.

                          Thanks for bringing it to light.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

                            Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background.

                            If you're using ANY VPN on Android, you can help us by getting Google's attention to fix it.

                            We first reported this bug to Google in September 2025.

                            Others like @mullvadnet and Wireguard reported it even earlier, in August.

                            Google's response? "I don't see anything unusual."

                            Here's what's actually happening ⤵️

                            apalrd@hachyderm.ioA This user is from outside of this forum
                            apalrd@hachyderm.ioA This user is from outside of this forum
                            apalrd@hachyderm.io
                            wrote last edited by
                            #18

                            @protonprivacy @mullvadnet

                            As someone who's done plenty of Android testing in IPv6-mostly/only environments, this is not even slightly surprising, Android's networking state machine is a huge mess

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

                              The bug corrupts Android's network stack at the system level after a VPN update, causing users to blame their VPN provider.

                              Restarting the app doesn't help, with the only fix being a full device reboot or VPN app reinstall, something which most users never figure out.

                              This affects several VPN providers on Android 16, and only Google has the access to diagnose it properly.

                              After 7 months of waiting, we're now asking publicly: Google, when are you fixing this?

                              funnymonkey@freeradical.zoneF This user is from outside of this forum
                              funnymonkey@freeradical.zoneF This user is from outside of this forum
                              funnymonkey@freeradical.zone
                              wrote last edited by
                              #19

                              @protonprivacy @mullvadnet

                              Making sure I'm reading this correctly:

                              If you're running Android (or an Android variant) and your VPN app updates, the only way to stop this issue is to:

                              1. Reboot your phone after the VPN update

                              OR

                              2. Keep the phone on, delete the VPN app, and reinstall the app

                              Am I correct in reading that one or the other approaches will fix this?

                              IE, restarting your phone after an update eliminates the need to delete and reinstall the app?

                              (and thank you, and Google wtaf)

                              danamcfarland@mastodon.socialD 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

                                @semitones https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/21033-second-donation-to-grapheneos-by-the-proton-foundation

                                rusty__shackleford@mastodon.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
                                rusty__shackleford@mastodon.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
                                rusty__shackleford@mastodon.social
                                wrote last edited by
                                #20

                                @protonprivacy @semitones

                                Or we could stop the grift & circle jerk. Release your source code so we can make secure email a real standard. Stop releasing to the play store entirely & teach people to install their own apps safely.

                                Start initiatives to teach children about public private keys, identity verification, trust, & best practices.

                                Be a man proton.

                                Or are the normie dollars making you salivate? With fascism on their doorstep, you do have more customers, better bank on their ignorance…

                                itseperkele@expressional.socialI 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • funnymonkey@freeradical.zoneF funnymonkey@freeradical.zone

                                  @protonprivacy @mullvadnet

                                  Making sure I'm reading this correctly:

                                  If you're running Android (or an Android variant) and your VPN app updates, the only way to stop this issue is to:

                                  1. Reboot your phone after the VPN update

                                  OR

                                  2. Keep the phone on, delete the VPN app, and reinstall the app

                                  Am I correct in reading that one or the other approaches will fix this?

                                  IE, restarting your phone after an update eliminates the need to delete and reinstall the app?

                                  (and thank you, and Google wtaf)

                                  danamcfarland@mastodon.socialD This user is from outside of this forum
                                  danamcfarland@mastodon.socialD This user is from outside of this forum
                                  danamcfarland@mastodon.social
                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #21

                                  @funnymonkey @protonprivacy @mullvadnet can confirm that the second worked for my Samsung phone, and not the first. Yes, wtaf.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

                                    Issue Tracker Links:

                                    Google Issue Tracker

                                    favicon

                                    (issuetracker.google.com)

                                    Google Issue Tracker

                                    favicon

                                    (issuetracker.google.com)

                                    hnapel@mastodon.socialH This user is from outside of this forum
                                    hnapel@mastodon.socialH This user is from outside of this forum
                                    hnapel@mastodon.social
                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #22

                                    @protonprivacy

                                    MF J6 on a raft, this is why I see ads where I didn't expect them as VPN (Wireguard) is connected to a router using PiHole DNS.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • rusty__shackleford@mastodon.socialR rusty__shackleford@mastodon.social

                                      @protonprivacy @semitones

                                      Or we could stop the grift & circle jerk. Release your source code so we can make secure email a real standard. Stop releasing to the play store entirely & teach people to install their own apps safely.

                                      Start initiatives to teach children about public private keys, identity verification, trust, & best practices.

                                      Be a man proton.

                                      Or are the normie dollars making you salivate? With fascism on their doorstep, you do have more customers, better bank on their ignorance…

                                      itseperkele@expressional.socialI This user is from outside of this forum
                                      itseperkele@expressional.socialI This user is from outside of this forum
                                      itseperkele@expressional.social
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #23

                                      @rusty__shackleford @protonprivacy @semitones
                                      Proton: "hey google is ignoring this issue, lets make them fix it"

                                      You: "you are not 1000% perfect, Proton! Man up! Greedy fucks!"

                                      rusty__shackleford@mastodon.socialR oldoldcojote@climatejustice.socialO 2 Replies Last reply
                                      0
                                      • protonprivacy@mastodon.socialP protonprivacy@mastodon.social

                                        Google has known about a bug that breaks VPN apps for 7 months, leaving users exposed with no warning or error, just a VPN app that stopped working in the background.

                                        If you're using ANY VPN on Android, you can help us by getting Google's attention to fix it.

                                        We first reported this bug to Google in September 2025.

                                        Others like @mullvadnet and Wireguard reported it even earlier, in August.

                                        Google's response? "I don't see anything unusual."

                                        Here's what's actually happening ⤵️

                                        babaq@mastodonczech.czB This user is from outside of this forum
                                        babaq@mastodonczech.czB This user is from outside of this forum
                                        babaq@mastodonczech.cz
                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #24

                                        @protonprivacy and why didn't you inform your users and paying customers? because I don't recall any email from Proton on this topic...

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • itseperkele@expressional.socialI itseperkele@expressional.social

                                          @rusty__shackleford @protonprivacy @semitones
                                          Proton: "hey google is ignoring this issue, lets make them fix it"

                                          You: "you are not 1000% perfect, Proton! Man up! Greedy fucks!"

                                          rusty__shackleford@mastodon.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
                                          rusty__shackleford@mastodon.socialR This user is from outside of this forum
                                          rusty__shackleford@mastodon.social
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #25

                                          @ItsePerkele @protonprivacy @semitones

                                          Me: Fuck google

                                          Me: Fuck proton too

                                          itseperkele@expressional.socialI 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups