As near-80% of internet users worldwide have no VPN protection on public networks, Opera reaffirms its commitment to free, zero-friction browser privacy.
OSLO, Norway, 24 September 2026: Opera (NASDAQ: OPRA) has pioneered the native browser VPN category for ten years. Making basic online privacy accessible to everyone is a core belief at Opera. This means making it easy for every user to benefit from privacy-enhancing tools like a VPN. Now Opera makes it even easier by enabling the VPN on desktop to activate automatically on public Wi-Fi.
While browser competitors charge monthly fees, cap monthly data, or require user registration, Opera has consistently offered a completely free, unlimited, accountless built-in VPN since 2016 – the only one in its category to do so. It has also maintained a strict, independently audited no-logs policy, which means that no user data is ever collected or stored – ensuring absolute privacy.
Today, market leaders like Google Chrome and Apple Safari still do not offer default browser VPN features. As a result, an overwhelming majority of browser users do not have such protection out of the box unless they pay for third-party services or download additional software.
Security by default
A VPN is a tool that you should always bring with you, whether on campus, at the airport, at a cafe, or a public library. If you move around a lot, work or study remotely, and connect to public Wi-Fi, having a VPN is as crucial for your hygiene as packing a toothbrush. And yet, 77% of internet users worldwide still do not use a VPN*.
Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously vulnerable to snooping and data interception. Opera’s browser VPN now removes manual friction by automatically activating when detecting public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Users can study, work, manage finances, or browse without having to remember to turn on protection manually. To respect user agency, the feature remains strictly opt-in and can be easily toggled within settings. This functionality is rolling out today to Opera users in the US and France.
“From the very start, all the way back in 2016, we believed that online privacy should be effortless and straightforward – especially when connecting to public networks while out and about,” says Arjan van Leeuwen, Head of Opera One Engineering at Opera. “Ten years later, our thesis still holds: VPNs are a vital part of users’ digital hygiene. That’s why we continue supporting and improving our free browser VPN, making sure that Opera users always have the tools they need, when they need them.”
A complete privacy bundle
Opera’s free VPN operates under strict GDPR laws and has been independently audited by Deloitte. Embedded alongside Opera’s native Ad Blocker and Tracker Blocker, it offers an out-of-the-box privacy bundle designed for total peace of mind on both desktop and mobile devices.
*23% of internet users globally use a VPN as of Q4 2025, according to We Are Social’s Digital 2026 Mid-Year Global Update Report.
About Opera
Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across devices. Hundreds of millions of people use Opera browsers for their unique features on mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is publicly listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol OPRA. Download Opera browsers and other Opera products at opera.com. Learn more at investor.opera.com.