Proton CEO Warns ‘Democracy Relies on Privacy’ in Targeted Critique of Big Tech
In the previous year, Proton changed to a Swiss non-profit structure, claiming that this move would reinforce Proton’s dedication to privacy and the public good, free from the influence of profit-centric investors or shareholders.
“We certainly need to be profitable, as that ensures our independence,” Yen stated. “However, by having a non-profit foundation as the controlling shareholder, we guarantee that, even in the long term, Proton’s mission and actions will always be geared to benefit society.”
“It also adds a layer of security,” he noted, safeguarding Proton from acquisition attempts by tech giants like Google or Elon Musk.
Yen affirmed that Proton would maintain its policy of providing basic services free of charge.
“We operate in regions like Iran and Russia where sanctions are in place. In those areas, payment options like Visa, MasterCard, or PayPal don’t exist. Therefore, offering a free service is fundamental to our mission,” he explained. “We undoubtedly incur losses from the free service, but I believe being a non-profit empowers us to make business choices that may not add up numerically but are aligned with our mission and societal benefits.”
Yen expressed his goal of contributing to the development of an Internet that truly reflects people’s desires.
“Democracy relies on privacy, and privacy is fundamentally tied to freedom of speech,” he shared with BIRN.
“Currently, we have 100 million users, whereas major tech companies boast billions. Over the next decade, I aspire to expand our product offerings within our ecosystem, enabling more individuals to transition from the Google ecosystem to ours, as I believe it serves people better, benefits the world, and fosters a future Internet that aligns more closely with actual user needs.”
According to him, Big Tech firms “do not tailor their services for you, as you are not their customer. Rather, you are the product sold to the real customers—the advertisers.”
“Ultimately, my sole mission is to serve the customer and the user, and this focus will, in the long run, enable me to create a superior user experience and product.”