I have.
That is not my understanding of the situation.
My understanding of the situation is that over the last couple of years, Proton has received some negative publicity, because of multiple controversies involving their handover of user information to authorities. The most recent one was reported by 404 Media and involved the FBI.
In the wake of these controversies, a lot of Proton users are discovering for the first time that some of the metadata they thought was private, is not only visible to Proton, but can be shared with authorities if compelled by a Swiss court order. In my opinion, the compounding effect of these multiple controversies is alarming regardless of how well informed one is about Proton’s data retention policy.
I don’t know about coordinated attacks, but I don’t doubt that there has been some misinformation spread. However, it doesn’t appear to be overwhelmingly that.
What seems crystal clear to me is that:
- Proton doesn’t do a good enough job of communicating their data retention policy.
- They can do more to collect less data all the while complying to the law.
To the degree that Proton can do so much better on the first two fronts, they are, IMO, partially responsible for some of the misinformation that is believed about their company.
- Proton engages in behaviors they call out others for doing.
In the last decade or so, thanks to popular critical thinkers like Cory Doctorow, Harry Brignull, Shoshana Zuboff, and many influential privacy organizations and advocates, regular folk have learned to name the problems that they’ve seen fester every day for too many years.
Enshittification. Dark pattern. Surveillance capitalism.
With access to this new knowledge, people feel empowered to call it out when they see it, and rightly so.
This is also why Proton is at the receiving end of such criticism. They are not unique in that regard. Plenty of other companies get called out, including other privacy companies. Proton just happens to be the biggest and most well-known privacy company, which is why their controversies garner more attention in the privacy community.
If you qualify lots of people sharing valid criticisms of Proton as bashing, then I understand why you and others feel this way, even if I disagree. I also understand how it can be frustrating to repeatedly see criticism about something you have high esteem for, even when that criticism is correct.
I haven’t seen this. Although I have little doubt some of the criticism could come from bots, I question the idea that most of it is bots.
I disagree.
That’s not what I see. I think a lot of the frustration people feel toward Proton is justified, even if some people don’t have the right words to express it.
I think people who actually hate Proton are an infinitesimal minority. The people who are disappointed by Proton however, are significant.
Maybe not, but I know some people are aware that I have criticized Proton numerous times in the last couple of weeks, but also last year. I also know that some people disagree with my criticisms as we’ve openly discussed them here.
I agree, and I don’t believe I have.