When is Outline app going to have functionality to auto turn on/off the VPN when on trusted networks and/or cellular? This is a function that lots of commercial VPNs have and would be very useful. Otherwise have to manually toggle in app each time. Thanks

VPN
1

When is Outline app going to have functionality to auto turn on/off the VPN when on trusted networks and/or cellular? This is a function that lots of commercial VPNs have and would be very useful. Otherwise have to manually toggle in app each time. Thanks

2

Thanks for the feedback, To make sure we build the right solution for you, could you clarify why you are using Outline and why you need that feature?

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It seems to me that you are using Outline for privacy, is that right?

In that case how do you define “trusted networks”? I imagine every wi-fi is untrusted by default, but then you want to disable it for specific wi-fis?

What about cellular? When do you consider it trusted or not trusted?

3

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, I use Outline for privacy.

You are correct, the starting point is all networks should be treated as untrusted by default subject to the following points:

  1. WiFi - my home WiFi network would be a trusted network so I would want to white list that network on the Outline app. There would be no benefit in using Outline on my home WiFi network - in fact, it causes more problems than not if I use Outline on my home network, e.g. inability to use Netflix, BBC iPlayer because sites know I am connecting from a virtual private server. There may be other WiFi networks, e.g. my office network, which would also be trusted networks. Again, I would want to whitelist those networks. However, all public WiFis, for example, should be treated as an untrusted network.
  2. Cellular - I would consider cellular a trusted network and would not want to use Outline on it. Although having the option in Outline as to whether I treat to treat cellular as trusted or not may be helpful too.

Thanks

4

I’m interested in more context on this if you don’t mind. Judging by your comment, it seems like you trust your home ISP and mobile networks, yet you’re concerned over privacy. So your use case is limited to wanting to use Outline when you’re using public wifi?

5

That’s exactly right. I want to use Outline only when using public wifi for privacy and security reasons - e.g. I am not sure I’d feel comfortable using a banking app on my iPhone on public wifi unless I was using the Outline VPN. I am not sure if my fear is misplaced because of HTTPS etc.