Is Opera Browser Safe to Use in 2026?
Opera was acquired by a Chinese consortium in 2016, raising concerns about data handling under Chinese corporate influence. The browser built-in VPN is actually a proxy service that does not provide full VPN protection and routes traffic through Opera servers. Opera collects usage data and has been criticized for predatory loan apps in its mobile products in developing markets. The browser includes various features that phone home to Opera servers. While Opera offers some privacy features, the Chinese ownership, limited VPN functionality, and predatory mobile practices create a trust deficit. Opera earns a caution rating due to ownership concerns and the misleading VPN feature that provides less protection than users expect.
What Opera Collects
- Browsing telemetry, usage patterns, and feature interaction data sent to Opera servers
- VPN proxy traffic routed through Opera infrastructure where connection metadata is accessible
- Account data, bookmarks, and synced information stored on Opera servers
- Device information, crash reports, and diagnostic data for product improvement
Who Sees Your Data
- Opera (owned by Chinese investors) which processes browsing data on its server infrastructure
- VPN proxy servers operated by Opera that handle your browsing traffic when the built-in proxy is enabled
- Advertising partners in Opera products including the Opera News and GX gaming browser features
Chinese Ownership Concerns
Opera was acquired by a consortium led by Chinese investor Zhou Yahui and Beijing Kunlun Tech in 2016. While Opera is incorporated in Norway, the Chinese ownership raises concerns about data handling practices under Chinese corporate influence. Chinese national security laws can compel companies to cooperate with government intelligence activities. While Opera states it does not share data with Chinese authorities, the corporate ownership structure creates a chain of influence that privacy researchers consider a risk factor. The ownership concern is similar to those raised about TikTok and other Chinese-connected technology companies, though Opera smaller profile means it receives less regulatory scrutiny.
Misleading VPN Feature
Opera built-in VPN is frequently described as a VPN but is technically a browser proxy. It only routes browser traffic, not traffic from other applications on your device. The proxy does not use standard VPN protocols and routes traffic through Opera own servers rather than independent VPN infrastructure. This means Opera can see your browsing traffic, which defeats the purpose of a VPN for privacy. The feature provides some protection against local network surveillance but does not protect against the proxy operator (Opera) seeing your activity. Users who rely on Opera VPN for genuine privacy are receiving significantly less protection than they believe.
Mobile Lending Controversies
Opera mobile products, particularly in Africa and South Asia, have been associated with predatory lending apps that charged extremely high interest rates and used aggressive collection practices including accessing contacts and sending shaming messages. While these lending apps are separate from the browser, they reveal an organizational culture willing to exploit vulnerable users for profit. This track record raises questions about how the company treats user data and trust across all its products. An organization that deploys predatory financial products targeting vulnerable populations does not inspire confidence in its handling of sensitive browsing data.
Recommended Privacy Settings
| Setting | Where | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| VPN (Proxy) | Settings > Privacy > VPN | Do not rely on Opera VPN for genuine privacy; use an independent VPN service if you need actual VPN protection |
| Telemetry | Settings > Privacy > Send usage statistics | Disable usage statistics sharing to reduce data sent to Opera servers |
| Tracker Blocking | Settings > Privacy > Block Trackers | Enable tracker blocking for basic protection, though the feature is less comprehensive than Brave or Firefox |
Safer Alternatives
Our Verdict
Opera earns a caution rating due to Chinese ownership concerns, a misleading VPN feature that provides less protection than advertised, and a corporate track record that includes predatory lending practices. While Opera offers some privacy features, the trust deficit created by these factors makes it a poor choice for privacy-focused browsing. Brave and Firefox provide superior privacy protections with transparent governance and no ownership concerns. Do not rely on Opera built-in VPN for genuine privacy protection, and consider the organizational context when trusting Opera with your browsing data.
Related Safety Checks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Opera VPN a real VPN?
No, Opera built-in VPN is a browser proxy, not a full VPN. It only routes browser traffic through Opera servers and does not protect traffic from other apps. Standard VPN protocols are not used. Opera can see your browsing traffic passing through its proxy servers. For genuine VPN protection, use a dedicated VPN service like Mullvad or ProtonVPN that uses standard protocols, routes all device traffic, and operates independently from your browser vendor.
Is Opera safe despite Chinese ownership?
Chinese ownership creates a trust concern because Chinese national security laws can compel corporate cooperation with intelligence activities. While Opera states it operates independently from its investors, the corporate influence chain raises questions that do not exist for browsers owned by nonprofits (Mozilla) or transparent Western companies (Brave). The concern is not proven data misuse but rather a structural risk that privacy-conscious users should weigh. Browsers without Chinese ownership concerns provide the same functionality without this uncertainty.
Why was Opera involved in predatory lending?
Opera mobile division deployed lending apps primarily in African and South Asian markets that charged very high interest rates and used aggressive collection tactics. Investigations revealed that these apps accessed user contacts and sent shaming messages to pressure repayment. The activities raised ethical and legal concerns in multiple countries. While the lending products are distinct from the browser, they demonstrate organizational willingness to exploit users, which is relevant context for trusting any Opera product with personal data.