• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
TechEngage®

TechEngage®

Technology news and opinions

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
  • How-to
  • Roundups
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Culture
    • Blockchain
      • Cryptocurrency
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
TechEngage » News » Security

ProtonMail is under fire after providing authorities with an activist’s IP address

Avatar Of Amna Jawaid Amna Jawaid Updated: July 7, 2022

proton-mail-13d842fd
Design by Muntaha / TechEngage

ProtonMail, an email provider that prides itself on end-to-end encryption, has come under fire for handing up the IP address of a French climate activist to Swiss police. As the company is based in Switzerland, ProtonMail is bound by the laws of the country. According to its own transparency report, this includes logging IP addresses from users in “extreme criminal cases.” 

A group of individuals has been occupying a number of business properties and residences near Paris’ Place Sainte Marthe for the past year. They wish to have a fight against gentrification, real estate speculation, Airbnb, and high-end restaurants.  Although it began as a local dispute, it quickly evolved into a symbolic campaign. When they began occupying premises rented by Le Petit Cambodge, a restaurant that was attacked by the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13th, 2015, they gained attention and made the headlines.  

The group released an article on Paris-luttes.info, an anti-capitalist news website, on September 1st, summarising several police investigations and legal procedures against some of the group’s members. According to their narrative, French police issued a Europol request to ProtonMail in order to reveal the identity of the individual who created the ProtonMail’s account used by the group to communicate. Various anarchist websites have also circulated the URL.

Andy Yen, the founder, and CEO of ProtonMail, responded to the police complaint on Twitter without revealing the precise facts of the case. “Proton must comply with Swiss law. As soon as a crime is committed, privacy protections can be suspended and we’re required by Swiss law to answer requests from Swiss authorities,” he said. 

Proton must comply with Swiss law. As soon as a crime is committed, privacy protections can be suspended and we're required by Swiss law to answer requests from Swiss authorities.

— Andy Yen (@andyyen) September 5, 2021

Andy Yen, in particular, wants to make it clear that his firm did not work with French police or Europol. Europol appears to have served as a communication channel between French and Swiss authorities. The matter was eventually taken over by Swiss authorities, who sent a direct request to ProtonMail. In its transparency report, the firm refers to these requests as “foreign requests approved by Swiss authorities.”

This post was orginally published on: September 7, 2021 and was updated on: July 7, 2022.

Related Tags: Email service ProtonMail

Related Stories

  • Visiondirect Has Its Customers’ Information Leaked

    VisionDirect has its customers’ information leaked

  • Nasa Got Hacked, Says Hackers Stole Employee Information

    NASA got hacked, says hackers stole employee information

  • The Fbi Is Cracking Down On Fraud Against The Elderly

    The FBI is cracking down on fraud against the elderly

Avatar Of Amna Jawaid

Amna Jawaid

A Journalist specialized in Digital media. Journalism isn't just a profession but my passion. Through my passion, I look forward to voicing my opinion and concerns. Restricting myself to a certain hobby or work is something I don’t believe in. I believe one should try and experience everything and know something about everything.

Reader Interactions

Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or publish anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more click here.
TechEngage-Apple-News
TechEngage-Google-News
Best Linux Distros of the year

Best Linux Distros for 2023

best chair covers

Best chair covers on Amazon for 2023

Recent Stories

  • Top Slack Alternatives in 2023
  • Apple strengthens account security with hardware keys support
  • 10 Best Messenger Apps in 2023
  • Essential Netflix tips and tricks 2023
  • How to lock Netflix profiles in 2023

Footer

Discover

  • About us
  • Newsroom
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Brand Kit
  • Contact us

Legal pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy and Practice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Must reads

  • Best AirPods alternatives on Amazon
  • Best PC monitors for gaming on Amazon
  • Best family board games
  • Best Graphics Cards (GPUs) for gaming
  • Best video doorbells without subscription
  • Best handheld video game consoles
  • Best all-season tires for snow
  • Best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Best treadmills on Amazon
  • Best AM radios for long-distance reception

Download our apps

TechEngage-app-google-play-store

Copyright © 2023 · All Rights Reserved · TechEngage® is a Project of TechAbout LLC.
TechEngage® is a registered trademark in United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167 and is ISSN protected under the ISSN 2690-3776 and OCLC Number 1139335774.

Go to mobile version