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I used a VPN yesterday (ProtonVPN) that set my location as Japan, and now even though I have quit the VPN and restarted the computer, and the VPN is not running anymore, websites I try to access switch to the Japanese language version.

No matter what browser I use, whether it's a private window or not.

I don't mind too much for now (Japanese ads are way better done than US ads!) but eventually I'd like to be able to revert to my actual location.

How do force my computer to know my actual location?

MacBook Pro 16 Inch, Sonoma

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  • Did you clear your cache and delete your web history? Those sites might be reading a cookie or something that tells them you prefer the Japanese language.
    – fsb
    Commented Sep 7 at 19:42
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    I found out that the VPN installed a System Settings configuration in the VPN tab that is distinct from the VPN's interface and connects me automatically, I didn't realize it would be on without me having a visual indicator anywhere. It's odd that I can disconnect from the VPN's app and the Settings Configuration would stay on?... confusing
    – MicroMachine
    Commented Sep 7 at 19:50
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    @MicroMachine: That’s bad software design — or a bad bug — and it could have security implications as well! Could you share the name of the VPN software / service?
    – EJ Mak
    Commented Sep 7 at 20:04
  • @EJMak happy to - it's called Proton Software. I will edit my quesiton to reflect my findings
    – MicroMachine
    Commented Sep 7 at 20:14
  • @EJMak posted my own answer and added details in my question if you're interested
    – MicroMachine
    Commented Sep 7 at 22:09

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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I realized after digging in the System Settings that the VPN installed a configuration that has its own UX within Settings.

the VPN configuration in System Settings

When one clicks the ⓘ, the "Connect on Demand" option connects the VPN at startup whenever it's activated.

panel showing the connect on demand setting

"On Demand" is misleading because once this feature is active, the VPN cannot be deactivated from the System Settings.

Also, the UI of the VPN can state "You are not connected" while the System Settings tell you that you are, at the same time.

the System Settings and the app say two different things at the same time

However disconnecting from the app disconnects in the System Settings as well.

This behavior and the functioning of the configuration panel as well as the app are irregular. For example, when the VPN is off, and I click on the ⓘ, the "Connect on Demand" setting cannot be modified (the switch moved and becomes blue, clicking OK and reopening the window shows the setting is off again).

I am assuming that my original confusion stemmed from seeing the app tell me that I was not connected to the VPN, and websites loading in Japanese, while I was connected, however at the Configuration panel level in the System Settings.

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