Is Opera GX Safe for Your Data? Full Security Audit

Illustration representing Opera GX safe concerns, featuring a central security shield surrounded by icons for passwords, health data, and internet privacy.

If you’ve been online long enough, you’ve probably heard of Opera GX. Marketed as the first browser built specifically for gamers, it’s flashy, feature-packed, and built on Chromium. But with its growing popularity, a simple question has started circulating: is Opera GX safe?

The concern isn’t just about flashy themes or sidebar integrations. It’s about who owns the product, what kind of data it collects, and whether it’s actually secure enough for everyday or professional use. In this blog, we’ll break down the tech behind Opera GX, review its security tools, and talk about what matters most: your data.

What Is Opera GX, and Why Do People Use It?

Simplified chart of Opera GX features including CPU/RAM limiters and media integration, not related to Opera GX safe compliance use.

Opera GX is a free Chromium-based browser designed specifically for gamers. It includes:

  • CPU, RAM, and network limiters
  • Twitch, Discord, and music player integration
  • Custom themes, sound effects, and UI animations

Yes, Opera GX is free, and yes, Opera GX is good—if your priority is visual control and performance metrics while gaming.

But these features mask a deeper concern: is Opera GX safe to use when it comes to data privacy, transparency, and long-term security?

Is Opera GX Safe? Let’s Break It Down

Visual overview of Opera GX features like Twitch integration, sound effects, themes, and performance limiters unrelated to Opera GX safe data policies.

Opera GX is safe for personal use but not ideal for business or privacy-first environments. It includes ad-blocking, tracker-blocking, and basic HTTPS protections, but lacks:

  • System-wide encryption
  • Transparent VPN logging policies
  • Independent security audits
  • Compliance-grade controls

Built on Chromium, it benefits from Google’s sandboxing and update cadence—but that doesn’t make it enterprise-ready.

If you’re asking, “Is Opera GX safe?”—the short answer is:

Yes, but only for everyday, casual browsing. It isn’t built for secure environments where user privacy, compliance, or client data protection are required.

Who Owns Opera GX—and Why It Matters?

Security breakdown of Opera GX safe issues: foreign ownership, Norwegian headquarters, and limited data handling transparency.

Opera GX is developed by Opera Software, which is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. However, since 2016, Opera Software has been majority-owned by a Chinese-led investment group, with Beijing Kunlun Tech Co., Ltd. (led by Zhou Yahui) holding about 48% ownership, alongside other investors such as Qihoo 360.

Ownership directly impacts trust. While Opera Software was originally Norwegian, the company was sold in 2016 to a Chinese-led investor group.

  • Headquarters: Norway (EU jurisdiction)
  • Ownership: Chinese-led consortium
  • Transparency: Limited public information on how user data is handled

Is Opera GX owned by China? 

A Chinese-led investor group partially owns Opera Software, though it operates under Norwegian law.

This blend of jurisdictions confuses users and raises flags among security professionals. The question isn’t whether the browser is Chinese or Norwegian. It’s whether the data routes and handling meet global privacy standards—and today, they don’t clearly show that.

What Kind of Data Does Opera GX Collect?

Opera GX safe data collection chart showing VPN logs, crash logs, opt-in consent gaps, and unclear IP anonymization practices.

Opera GX collects telemetry data to monitor:

  • Crash logs
  • Performance benchmarks
  • Feature usage

However, there are gaps:

  • No clarity on IP anonymization
  • No opt-in consent for analytics
  • VPN logs are managed through a third party and lack audit trails

Is Opera GX safe from hackers? 

It’s protected against basic threats via Chromium’s architecture, but lacks enterprise-grade protections, leaving room for network-level vulnerabilities and browser fingerprinting.

Is Opera GX Spyware?

Key Opera GX safe concerns including Chinese ownership influence, vague privacy policies, and use of proxy-based VPN instead of encryption.

Opera GX is not spyware in the traditional sense—there’s no evidence of malicious behavior or intentional data leaks. But:

  • Its vague policies on data storage
  • Proxy-based VPN (not encrypted)
  • Chinese investor influence

…have led to growing distrust among privacy-conscious users.

Many privacy advocates argue that relying on a browser-level VPN solution that lacks encryption is a dangerous game. You don’t want to leave security up to interpretation.

Opera GX vs Chrome: Which Is More Secure?

FeatureOpera GXChrome
Update FrequencyModerateHigh (weekly patches)
EncryptionIn-browser VPN proxy onlyNone (requires extension)
Tracker BlockingBuilt-inExtension-based
Ownership TransparencyLowHigh
Business UseNot recommendedSupported with controls

Is Opera GX better than Chrome? 

Opera GX offers more out-of-the-box features, but Chrome provides stronger security, faster patches, and enterprise-level management tools.

When it comes to enterprise adoption, Chrome is the clear winner. It integrates with enterprise software stacks and supports centralized control, whereas Opera GX does not.

What Do Users Say? Is Opera GX Safe Reddit Feedback

On Reddit, users are split:

  • Pros: Cool UI, good resource management, built-in tools
  • Cons: Skepticism about VPN privacy, ownership, telemetry
  • Neutral: Fine for gaming, avoid for privacy

Example from Reddit: “Love the look, but the VPN feels more like a proxy.”

If you’re looking at Is Opera GX safe Reddit, you’ll find the same conclusion: fine for casual use, questionable for anything sensitive.

Want deeper insights like these? Join the privacy community at PureWL: Join Our Reddit Community You’ll find conversations from privacy pros, MSPs, SaaS owners, and technical founders—all focused on real-world VPN use cases and infrastructure.

Is Opera GX Safe for PC in a Business Setting?

Matrix comparing Opera GX safe use for personal, business, and compliance environments, showing limitations for high-security business use.

No. Opera GX isn’t built for professional use. Opera GX is safe for personal use on PC, but lacks the enterprise-grade protections needed for business or compliance-driven environments.

Here’s why it doesn’t meet business standards:

  • No group policy support or admin control
  • No compliance documentation (GDPR, SOC 2, HIPAA)
  • VPN is not auditable or verifiable

Browser security is not enough when client communications, credentials, and sensitive IP are being transmitted. Businesses need encrypted tunnels, not browser wrappers.

Why Browsers Aren’t Enough for Privacy?

Even with features like tracker-blocking and VPN proxies, browsers have limits. They can’t:

  • Prevent DNS leaks
  • Encrypt all traffic
  • Control endpoints or app-level access
  • Ensure compliance or access logs

This is where full-device VPNs outperform browser-level tools. They protect the network, not just the browser window.

Want Real Privacy? Launch a White Label VPN with PureWL

PureWL is built for businesses that need secure, scalable privacy tools—without the confusion or liability of weak browser features.

 Overview of PureWL features compared to Opera GX safe alternatives, including branded VPN apps, server access, AES-256 encryption, admin control, and no-log policy.

With PureWL, you get:

  • Branded VPN apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome
  • Access to 6,500+ global servers
  • System-wide AES-256 encryption
  • Admin dashboard for billing, support, and usage control
  • Certified no-log policy & compliance-ready infrastructure

You own the brand. We manage the infrastructure.

See What Others Are Building

Want to follow how other B2B businesses are monetizing security? Follow Us on LinkedIn. We share industry use cases, white-label growth stories, and technical breakdowns for founders and enterprise buyers.

Final Thoughts: Should You Trust Opera GX?

Is Opera GX safe? Yes—for entertainment, gaming, and casual browsing.

Is it safe for your data, clients, or enterprise stack? Not at all.

Don’t build your business stack on a flashy interface. Build it on secure infrastructure you own and trust.