this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2026
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Andy Yen's values are incompatible with Proton's mission. He advocates for poor security practices, supports fascists, and he verbally abuses his subordinates. As such, I can no longer in good conscience continue to financially support a company with such terrible leadership.

Unfortunately for me, my subscription just renewed last month on a multi year plan, but it does give me time to browse for and experiment with alternatives.

If you're able, I encourage you to do the same and cite Andy Yen as the driving factor for your decision. We can't let these tech bro fascists destroy what little semblance of privacy we have left.

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[–] homelabrat@lemmy.world 1 points 11 minutes ago

I've deleted my Proton account 2 years ago with the reason "I'll self-host from now, but I might return one day." ... I'm tempted to re-register, and delete my account again with the reason "No, I really won't".

[–] bowsertattoo@piefed.social 5 points 59 minutes ago

What should I use instead of Proton for email?

[–] curiouschipmunk@lemmy.world 1 points 29 minutes ago

Hah! Did cancel early in the day before finding this. I was a bit more blunt about reason: "Your psycho CEO". Found 'tutamail' that seems to do what I need (backup email basically if my server is out) and luckily didn't have anything on proton yet.

[–] gibblywafer@lemmy.world 1 points 30 minutes ago (1 children)

I cancelled it, but unfortunately I pre-paid for 2 years and there's still a long way to go.

[–] begrudgedcarfolk@sh.itjust.works 1 points 28 minutes ago

Same boat, but at least they're getting the message.

[–] flop_leash_973@lemmy.world 5 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

I have less of an issue with his desire for more AI use at the company than I do for the whole "you are an idiot if you disagree with me" vibe and making everyone re-interview, seemingly for a job they already have and have been doing successfully up to this point. That sort of way of managing and doing business is just immature and childish.

Since my multi-year membership isn't up for another year I am not planning to completely pull out yet. But the CEOs actions have put a stop to my willingness to further entrench myself in their offerings for now. When renewal time gets closer I will decide if I want to walk away completely or keep the mail and calendar services and pull back on the service plan I do end up renewing.

[–] betanumerus@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

Tell me about alternatives that are less dependant on fossil energy sources.

[–] bold_omi@lemmy.today 8 points 2 hours ago

Personally, I will stick with Proton for now because they are the least fascist option I have found for my use case that suits my standards of security. As such, I would not consider myself able to cancel my subscription.

But I do deeply dislike their CEO, Andy Yen, and will send a complaint regarding his conduct and recommending his removal. He is a danger to his own company's mission and to Proton's user base.

I agree with everything you said in this post. I will add that:

  • Proton's insistence on using Electron applications for their "standalone" apps is a major issue as well.
  • I recommend using LibreOffice instead of their rather trashy office suite.
  • Lumo also needs to go. Ethical software cannot be developed with—or in support of—LLMs.
[–] Reygle@lemmy.world 25 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

Does this count or is was this too aggressive? I've been known to be a little too angry when it comes to things like this.

[–] Crozekiel@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

On line 4 you opened quotation marks at '"re-interviewing' but never closed them. For that reason, I am afraid it is a failure and must be re-written.

[–] Reygle@lemmy.world 1 points 35 minutes ago
[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 6 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) (2 children)

If anything, it's not aggressive enough! Everyone is so apathetic about everything compared to 20-30 years ago. Between the rise of Fascism and the cost of living, life has never been shitter yet no one seems to give a fuck. Why aren't we rioting and revolting until shit stops sucking so god damn much!? Where is everyone's passion!?

I've been on this planet for four decades. It used to not be this way! People used to care! Now it seems like all of society has become emotional zombies, and if you dare to step out of line and speak up about some injustice, you get labeled as "crashing out". It's such fucking bullshit! I'm not crashing out; I'm pissed the fuck off that the world is run by evil men and no one is doing anything about it!

[–] Reygle@lemmy.world 3 points 34 minutes ago

Oh I like you

[–] bold_omi@lemmy.today 3 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

I agree. However, I think the best ways to fix Proton are to send endless complaints until Yen is removed or to establish better competition with stronger morals.

[–] JasonDJ@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Fuck man my simplelogin sub just renewed, too.

[–] pineapplelover@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 44 minutes ago

Simplelogin is kind of separate, I was a simplelogin user before they partnered with proton. They're a little more independent

[–] Yerbouti@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Never trusted Proton and was getting a lot of criticism whenever I mentioned it. Glad I trusted my instincts.

[–] Crozekiel@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 hours ago

Yea, the amount of people that were sucking off proton when the mullvad shit hit the fan a couple months back was insane. Apparently proton's brand of fascist leadership is fine. If you tried to point it out, you were brigaded with proton fans trying to "debunk" you.

[–] jobbies@lemmy.zip 7 points 4 hours ago
[–] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 5 points 4 hours ago

Also did this as a review for the app on Google Play

[–] strawberry_enjoyer42@lemmy.blahaj.zone 14 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I had a feeling Proton was no good. I don't like walled gardens.

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[–] GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 5 points 5 hours ago (1 children)
[–] veniasilente@feddit.cl 1 points 32 minutes ago

Bros developing whole new strats just to smite Andy Yen is 💯 .

[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 60 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (2 children)

When people show you who they are, listen.

There was a lot of copium flying around after the first red flag. I told people then, best case scenario is he's a naive idiot to think a Trump cabinet pick is good for anyone other than Trump and his cronies. Worst case scenario he was trying to cosy up to an anti-democratic fascist.

Here we are with red flag ~~2~~ 3. How many people are going to keep injecting that copium? Or are we finally listening to the man when he tries to show us who he is?

Edit: I was unaware Proton got caught sponsoring Fascists on YouTube.

[–] laurelraven@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

This isn't a red flag, it's a red banner parade, holy shit

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