The Future of VPNs: How Geopolitical Threats and Technological Advances Will Shape the Industry

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more people become aware of the benefits of having a choice of IP addresses and access to Global (with a capital G) online content.

The future of VPNs is bright. As the global demand for VPN products like Hola keeps growing, the technology behind VPNs is constantly evolving, making them even more user-friendly and customer focused.

Here are some of the trends that we can expect to see in the future of VPNs:

• Improved user experience: VPN providers will also need to improve the user experience of their product. This means making VPNs easier to use, faster, and more reliable. At Hola, we are fully user-centric and work on a “least-clicks-possible” basis
• Expansion: More and more companies will learn that VPNs can be a great tool for checking where it would be worth expanding to, geographically.
• Reassurance: Users will increasingly acknowledge the need for a multitude of opinions and global views, not just what is presented to them by the government, or other authorities. That’s not to say that users will constantly be using it, but they will have the reassurance that should they want a view from beyond their location, they can access it.
• With power comes responsibility: VPN companies will have an increased understanding that the gateways they open are more than just about “content” but also about being a portal for access to fuller views of the world. I foresee VPNs becoming VANs (Virtual Access Networks).

Overall, the future of VPNs is very promising, with the technology behind them constantly evolving. Unfortunately, that’s not to say that the VPN industry is without its threats or challenges.

Geopolitical threats to VPN companies

But, there are a number of geopolitical threats that VPN companies need to be aware of. These threats include:

• Government censorship: Some governments who are backsliding away from Democracy (and even some Democratic ones), censor the internet. This means that they block access to certain websites and content. VPNs can be used to circumvent government censorship, which is why these governments often crack down on VPN companies.
• Data collection: Some government institutions collect data on their citizens' internet activity. This data can be used to track people's movements, monitor their communications, and even target them for surveillance. VPNs can be used to protect users' privacy from government surveillance.
• Geoblocking: There are websites and services which are only available in certain countries. This is known as geoblocking. VPNs can be used to bypass geoblocking, which allows users to access content that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

So, these are just a few of the geopolitical threats that VPN companies currently face. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, it is likely that new threats will emerge. In the past year alone, we’ve seen countries from Europe to the Middle East, Asia and even the Americas curtail and sometimes even criminalize the use of VPNs. VPN companies need to be aware of these threats and take steps to mitigate them.

How can Hola help shape the future of VPNs?

We believe that Hola can play and is playing a leading role in shaping the future of VPNs. We are committed to providing the most user-friendly and integrated VPNs possible. We are also committed to innovating and developing new VPN technologies. Our suite of products are a testament to this commitment.

We further believe that by focusing on user experience and integration, we can help to make VPNs even more widely adopted, worldwide. We are constantly working on new ways to bring Hola’s technology to people all over the world, in line with our firm belief in a Borderless Internet, Online Democracy and Freedom of Online Information. Over the next few months, we have some exciting new launches up our sleeve for our users. We are excited for what the future holds. Watch this space!