"(proton fraud detectors) are looking for certain patterns in use. And they collect clues on the dark web. For example, if you find Proton mail addresses in criminal Internet forums, the accounts behind them will be blocked."[1]

I've never participated on a "dark web" or .onion forum but I could imagine doing so for a variety of reasons ... are there not very interesting discussions occurring there ?

I would be classified as a criminal for being part of that discussion ?

Should I be retroactively classified as such for my discussions on cypherpunks in the nineties ?

[1] https://www.nzz.ch/technologie/proton-ceo-andy-yen-wer-geset...

It's nice to see that they're giving the finger to the Swiss government but ultimately it doesn't matter as many jurisdictions are mandating the same things.

They started to copy the infrastructure, and the data is currently in Switzerland, Germany, and Norway. They can technically shut down the systems in Switzerland on short time. He (Andy Yen, CEO) always hoped they'd never need to take such steps, but the environment in Switzerland is too insecure for them at the moment. So they had no other choice but to plan their way out.

Swiss government look to undercut privacy tech stoking fear of mass surveillance - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45223231 - Sept 2025 (3 comments)

Proton begins moving hardware out of Switzerland due to proposed legislation - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44915796 - Aug 2025 (5 comments)

Proton Partially Exits Switzerland - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44669496 - July 2025 (2 comments)

Lumo: Privacy-first AI assistant - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44657556 - July 2025 (123 comments)

Proton threatens to quit Switzerland over new surveillance law - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44014808 - May 2025 (228 comments)

Tell HN: Swiss surveillance monitoring nearly everything – impact on Proton etc? - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38937352 - Jan 2024 (8 comments)

I seem to recall that one of their original selling points was that they were based in Switzerland which does not have data sharing agreements with the US under the Patriot act, unlike the EU.

Cynical view - they prefer to IPO in another market than Swiss, the real reason for the move.

Anyway most people would be better served when disavowing any notion that email is secure or that VPN services operated by companies (as opposed to ones you control) are good for anything other than bypassing region locks.

https://www-nzz-ch.translate.goog/technologie/proton-ceo-and...

I want very secure email that’s US located because some of the contents are US regulated, I’m not worried about the US hacking me and I doubt if they really wanted my information I could do anytyhing to keep it from them.

I’m sure there are people that would love Switzerland.

To each their own.