diff --git a/experimental/java/pom.xml b/experimental/java/pom.xml
index 00df7f3..605d281 100644
--- a/experimental/java/pom.xml
+++ b/experimental/java/pom.xml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ Licensed under the MIT License.
     <mockito.version>1.10.19</mockito.version>
     <mongodb.version>3.11.0</mongodb.version>
     <netty.version>4.1.42.Final</netty.version>
-    <protobuf.version>3.9.1</protobuf.version>
+    <protobuf.version>3.16.3</protobuf.version>
     <slf4j.version>1.7.28</slf4j.version>
     <testng.version>7.0.0</testng.version>
   </properties>