All products and promotions are independently selected by our experts. To help us provide free impartial advice, we will earn an affiliate commission if you buy something. Click here to learn more
An award-winning VPN has teamed up its service with the next generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to add another layer of protection to your personal data. ExpressVPN has announced the launch of a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, making it the first VPN provider to introduce the technology.
What does that mean? Essentially, the newly-launched MCP allows your AI tools to communicate directly with your VPN. This could make it easier for AI assistants to control privacy settings, manage connections, and access other tools or data without you having to do it manually.
Until now, none of the best VPN deals had been part of this ecosystem. For the time being, ExpressVPN’s MCP server is in beta testing mode, which means it’s available to try out if you're a subscriber to the VPN service before its full public release.
Here's everything you need to know about how the new feature works alongside the protection of a VPN.
Subscribe to ExpressVPN for just £1.74 – cheaper than its Black Friday deal
With its new multi-tier subscription structure, ExpressVPN has never been more affordable
If you want to unlock reliable protection, the ExpressVPN Basic plan offers unlimited access to its award-winning reliable and ludicrously speedy VPN servers across the globe, it has cut monthly subscriptions by 82%. If you sign up for a 12-month plan, you'll be gifted with a generous 4 months of access to the award-winning VPN service for free. That equates to under 6 pence per day!
ExpressVPN
$9.99
$1.74
With the beta release, your existing AI tools, like ChatGPT, can now control your VPN using your own commands. Tasks that once needed manual setup — like connecting, switching servers, or managing your privacy settings — can now be handled automatically by your AI assistant.
Rather than switching between apps to change your server region or check if your connection is secure, you can now do it all through the navigation of your AI assistant.
It's ideal for automating demanding tasks that used to break your concentration — things like switching server locations, verifying your VPN is active, checking security settings, and sorting out connectivity problems.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The feature also works with ExpressVPN's desktop apps on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Shay Peretz, COO of ExpressVPN, said: "Developers are increasingly relying on AI agents to automate complex tasks, yet their network environment has remained manual. Our MCP server brings VPN control into those workflows, enabling secure testing, troubleshooting, and region switching without interrupting their workflow.
"As we continue to evolve the product alongside the market, we see MCP becoming a foundational standard for how AI systems interact with external tools."
ExpressVPN's newest feature allows next-generation AI tools to communicate directly with VPN software
|EXPRESSVPN PRESS OFFICE
And if you're still worried about privacy, ExpressVPN has built-in even more safeguards with the arrival of the feature.
For instance, the integration is switched off by default, so you'll need to actively opt in through the desktop app to use it. Everything also runs locally on your own device.
The system uses a fixed command allowlist and won't give AI tools access to your account credentials or session details.
It also operates under ExpressVPN's no-logs policy, so your activity and connection data aren't collected or stored.
Virtual Private Networks, like ExpressVPN, mask your real location by routing traffic through servers in different countries, tricking services into thinking you're elsewhere | EXPRESSVPN PRESS OFFICE Benefits of ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is particularly well-suited for streaming as it boasts VPN server locations in 105 countries, providing access to global coverage.
It offers ultra-fast speeds on a 10-Gbps network, essential for high-quality streaming without buffering. With military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and features like split tunnelling and a kill switch, your online activity stays private.
Based in the British Virgin Islands — outside Five Eyes jurisdiction — it avoids mandatory data retention laws, which means that even if the company were collecting data (it's not), law enforcement from the UK and US would be unable to compel ExpressVPN to hand over any information about its subscribers.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online. | UNSPLASH ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and routers. There's no limit on the number of ExpressVPN apps that you can download on your devices, and with a single subscription, you can connect to the VPN on 10x gadgets at once.
It also has a dedicated team that optimises the service for major streaming platforms. Round-the-clock customer support is available if you encounter any issues during race weekend.
ExpressVPN isn't the cheapest VPN. However, its 30-day money-back guarantee makes it a risk-free choice for privacy-conscious users and frequent streamers. It should also give new customers the confidence to subscribe to one of its longer contracts, which unlock the biggest discounts.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
More From GB News