Vivaldi and Proton have partnered to offer an integrated free VPN service to Vivaldi’s browser users, which they say makes it easier for them to browse the web more privately.
There is growing demand for more privacy in web browsing, with Microsoft adding a similar embedded service to its Edge browser in April.
Users of Vivaldi’s browser can now access basic VPN services without having to install anything extra, and upgrade to a paid version for extra features.
Vivaldi and Proton, both European companies, position the partnership as part of a trend towards greater independence from US and Chinese tech, and an opportunity to offer users “European alternatives”.
While Vivaldi CEO Jon Von Tetzchner says the companies are politically neutral, the statement appears to reference increasing tension between the US and Europe,particularly since Donald Trump’s presidency.