Security researchers reported in 2025 that Urban VPN’s browser extension was collecting users’ AI chatbot prompts and sending that data to a third-party data broker — a finding that changes the calculus for anyone comparing it to a simple, install-free tool like BlockAway. This isn’t a matter of opinion between two similar products; it’s a documented security incident worth knowing before you install anything.
Key Takeaways
- Security firm Koi Security reported that Urban VPN Proxy’s Chrome/Edge extension captured full AI-chatbot prompt text and forwarded it to an analytics/data-broker pipeline, starting with a July 2025 update.
- The reported scale was over 8 million affected users across Chrome and Edge.
- BlockAway, by contrast, requires no extension install at all — it runs entirely as a website you visit.
- Always verify the current state of any extension’s privacy practices before installing, since policies and code can change between updates.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | BlockAway | Urban VPN Proxy Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | None — browser website only | Browser extension install required |
| Reported privacy incident | None reported | 2025: reported collection of AI chatbot prompts, per Koi Security |
| Permissions requested | None beyond normal browsing | Broad extension permissions typical of VPN/proxy extensions |
| Cost | Free (premium tier available) | Free, ad- and data-monetization supported |
| Coverage | Browser tab only | Browser-wide via the extension |
What Was Actually Reported About Urban VPN
According to reporting that cited security firm Koi Security, the Urban VPN Proxy extension began capturing the full text of prompts users typed into AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini following a July 2025 update, compressing that data and forwarding it to Urban VPN’s own analytics infrastructure — which reporting says was then shared with a data broker for advertising purposes. The captured content reportedly included sensitive categories like medical questions and financial details. As with any specific security finding, treat this as accurate as of when it was reported; check for the vendor’s response or subsequent updates before assuming the current state of the extension is unchanged.
Why This Matters for the Comparison
BlockAway’s no-install, browser-only model structurally can’t do what a browser extension can — an extension with broad permissions has access to page content across every site you visit, including AI chatbot pages, in a way a proxy website simply doesn’t. That’s not a claim that every proxy extension behaves this way, but it is a concrete illustration of the additional risk surface an extension introduces compared to a proxy you use without installing anything.
Expert Insight
Security researchers who track browser extension risk generally recommend reviewing an extension’s requested permissions and recent update history before installing, since a previously trustworthy extension can change behavior in a later update pushed automatically — exactly what was alleged in Urban VPN’s case.
Common Mistakes
- Installing a proxy or VPN extension without reviewing what permissions it requests.
- Assuming a free extension’s past reputation guarantees its current, auto-updated behavior.
- Typing sensitive information — including AI chatbot prompts — into any page while an unfamiliar extension has broad access.
Conclusion
If minimizing what you install matters to you, BlockAway’s browser-only design avoids this entire category of risk by never requesting extension-level access in the first place. For anyone specifically considering Urban VPN Proxy’s extension, the 2025 reporting on prompt-data collection is worth reading in full before installing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did security researchers find about Urban VPN Proxy?
Security firm Koi Security reported in 2025 that Urban VPN Proxy’s browser extension was capturing users’ AI chatbot prompts and forwarding that data through an analytics pipeline to a data broker, following a July 2025 update.
Does BlockAway require a browser extension?
No. BlockAway works entirely as a website you visit in your browser — there is no extension to install and no extension permissions to grant.
Is it safe to use Urban VPN Proxy today?
That depends on whether the reported behavior has since been changed or addressed. Review the vendor’s current privacy policy and any public response before installing, rather than relying on older or newer reviews alone.
How many users were reportedly affected by the Urban VPN issue?
Reporting citing Koi Security estimated over 8 million affected users across the Chrome and Edge browser extension stores.
Why do browser extensions carry more risk than a proxy website?
An extension with broad permissions can potentially read content across many of the sites you visit, including sensitive pages, while a proxy website like BlockAway only ever sees the page you actively load through it.
What should I check before installing any VPN or proxy browser extension?
Review the requested permissions, recent update history, and any independent security reporting about the extension before installing, since behavior can change after you’ve already granted access.
