Don’t sign in with Google if you value your online security and privacy, Proton warns
“DON'T SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE” is the simple and clear advice Proton urges to preserve our online security and privacy. But what should we do instead?
Image by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images
“DON'T SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE” is the simple and clear advice Proton urges to preserve our online security and privacy. But what should we do instead?
- Proton warns "Sign in with Google" makes your Google account a "master key" – if hacked, attackers can access all connected sites and reset passwords.
- Google tracks which services you use, login times and frequency, IP addresses, location data, and device information when you use the button.
- Originally introduced to compete with Facebook and offer better security than small websites, the button now creates a single point of failure for your digital life.
Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
Back in 2013, Google launched the “Sign in with Google+” button. The following year, Google began testing the more neutral text “Sign in with Google” instead of Google+. In 2016, the Google+ branding was permanently removed, and the sign-in button took on the appearance we all know today.
The Sign in with Google button was introduced for three reasons. First, Google wanted to prevent Facebook from becoming the key identifier of the internet. As a countermeasure, the tech company launched its own login button.
Secondly, Google tried to make things easier and more convenient for users. By using the Sign in with Google button, they wouldn’t have to create new online accounts and remember additional passwords with online service providers that supported the new sign-in method.
Lastly, Google introduced its Sign in with Google button to better secure online accounts. At the time, many smaller websites had poor security, while Google could offer relatively strong account security thanks to features like two-factor authentication (2FA) and a detection tool that warns people about weak passwords.
It sounds like Google has our best interests in mind, doesn’t it? However, it’s not that simple. The Sign in with Google button introduces a host of new risks.
Curious what others think about this story? Contribute your thoughts to the debate below.
For starters, a Google account becomes the master key or single point of failure for our digital lives, increasing our dependence on Google. For example, if a hacker gains access to your Google account, he can log in to other websites as well. He could also reset your passwords and access your connected apps if you rely too much on Google’s login button, leaving you without access to all your online accounts.
Then there’s the privacy issue. People who use Google’s Sign in with Google button authorize the tech company to collect a lot of their personal data, such as which services they use, the time and frequency of logins, which apps and websites requested authentication, IP address and location data, device or browser information, and so on.
That’s why Proton is warning users not to use the Sign in with Google button on X.
Instead, the Switzerland-based company recommends using Proton Pass’s Hide-my-email aliases feature.
An alias is a randomly-generated email address that forwards emails to your main inbox. Proton Pass creates aliases so you can enter them into online forms and protect your actual email address from being disclosed or leaked.
FAQ
Does Proton VPN work in China?
Proton VPN's reliability in China is inconsistent and depends on multiple factors. While Proton VPN itself says it may work but cannot guarantee service in China, recent reports from 2026 show mixed results. Some users report success while others say it doesn't work at all due to China's advanced deep packet inspection technology.
Is Proton VPN free?
Proton VPN offers both a free plan and paid plans. The free version provides unlimited bandwidth and access to servers in a limited number of countries, but it comes with slower speeds, access to fewer servers, and lacks advanced features like China-specific obfuscation protocols that the paid plans include.
Will Proton VPN work on Firestick?
Yes, Proton VPN works on Firestick and is compatible with all Fire TV Stick devices running Fire OS 7.0 or higher. The app can be downloaded directly from the Amazon app store on your Firestick, though some users have reported the app has a limited server list and lacks certain features compared to other platforms.
FAQ by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
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