Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of its Privacy Protection VPN feature within the Microsoft Defender app, effective February 28, 2025. The feature, which provided 50 GB of monthly VPN data for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers across Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS platforms, was designed to protect users on public Wi-Fi networks.

Despite recent enhancements in September 2024, including automatic detection of unsecured connections and protection against MiTM and Evil Twin attacks, the feature saw limited adoption, primarily in the U.S. market.

Key Points:
– Core Defender services including device protection, identity theft monitoring, and credit monitoring (U.S. only) will remain operational
– Windows, iOS, and macOS users require no action
– Android users must remove the Defender VPN profile to prevent network browsing issues
– Profile removal: Settings → VPN → Profiles → Microsoft Defender → Remove

This announcement follows Microsoft’s recent price increase for 365 subscriptions, which introduced AI-powered Copilot features across its office suite applications. The timing of the VPN feature removal shortly after the price adjustment has sparked concern among affected subscribers.

Microsoft states the decision stems from routine feature evaluation, with plans to redirect resources toward “new areas that will better align to customer needs.”