Proton should develop a browser

But then again, I’m afraid of its natural Enshittification in 10-15 years.

Anyone excited about all the stuff they launch, but also afraid and on their guard?

I am still trusting Whonix and Tor over its alternatives.

Why? They’ve been pretty hit or miss about open sourcing their products, which doesn’t seem like what the browser space needs. Also, the amount of money they would have to drop into developing a browser is massive (unless its just tweaked chromium or Firefox, but then whats the point?)

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There’s enough browsers already

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I’d argue we need more rather than less.

Something about monoculture being a cancer and all. Not to mention that if there is a Chromium specific vulnerability, automatically almost all of the web is now vulnerable.

I do not want Proton to do a browser. I think Proton’s finances could go into better avenue.

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There’s no point, Proton just wants to multiply services for the sake of multiplying them, it’s getting ridiculous. Especially given the fierce competition in the browser market.
I’ve also understood that it wants to launch a search engine and also an instant messaging application, which is also a highly competitive sector, people want to move from Whatsapp to Signal, not to go to Proton messaging

Instead of working closely with other services such as Firefox, Brave, Signal and Threema, Proton prefers to compete at all costs.

Proton is becoming ridiculous as it multiplies its services and wants to become like Apple, Google Meta etc by locking people into their ecosystems.

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I just want to make them stop and focus on the things they already have at hand.

I am starting to be wary of them turning into another Skiff because they seem to have developed an unsustainable growth mindset that seems to prime themselves as a target for acquisition.

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On Linux, Proton Mail is still in beta, Proton Drive is still absent and we are entitled to a simply disgusting VPN with no options, but all is well, Proton is working on a browser, a search engine and instant messaging and there is a wallet.


The disgusting interface of Proton VPN on Linux :slightly_smiling_face:

Proton should refocus on what made it famous in the first place, namely Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive and VPN. There was a need for real alternatives in these sectors, the rest is bullshit that requires enormous resources to develop, and subscription prices are bound to change.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

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Brave, Firefox and Mullvad Browser are a thing. This would be a waste of time, money and investment in their other products if they decide to do that when there are already great browsers out here… If they want to make one, they can go ahead but they should compete with other browsers that do the same thing.

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no.

reason :
Mozilla is an existing non-profit+corporation developing Firefox and (more importantly) the Gecko browser engine
And if you want something Chromium, there are endless forks available.

I would rather they focus on the products they already have. It took them weeks to add basic import functionality to their authenticator app (a browser is going to be a much more involved project then an authenticator app). They are always slow about Mac and Linux compatability.

To me, they are already stretched to thin.

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While I don’t think Proton should add another browser to a list which already has so many names (but only 3 engines :frowning: ), I do think something like Mullvad Browser is an interesting idea.

For example, imagine if Proton, Mullvad, IVPN, etc. all used a basic template similar to Mullvad Browser with their branding and extensions by default, all based on Tor Browser of course, it would be an interesting proposition. Since everyone using the Proton variant of Mullvad Browser would be ideally using Proton VPN too, they would become almost indistinguishable from each other, making it hard to fingerprint users. They could also redirect some monetary resources towards the team developing the base template, helping keep Tor Browser sustainable.

Just an idea floating in my head since Mullvad Browser was announced :person_shrugging:

Mullvad and Librewolf are enough. And if FF tanks then everyone can rally behind Ladybird. It’s a win-win

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The reason I threw that idea is because 86% of Mozilla revenue come from Google as per here

With this new ruling, Mozilla is in deep trouble.

If Firefox tank, aren’t all the Gecko browsers at risk?

Having a non-Gecko / non-Chromium new browser would make sense to me and it feels like Proton would have the credibility to do it.

I’m not sure what Ladybird is, but maybe there are already options.

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Ladybird is a new browser engine that’s currently under development. We discussed it here: Ladybird Browser

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Not sure why you think that Proton will do a better job of creating a sustainable browser model…

A part of me would welcome a Proton Browser, even if it’s worked on slowly and gradually. I know people mention that there are far too many browsers (which is true), but those are mostly derived/forks

I really don’t think we should rely so heavily on the browser triumvirate: Blink/Chromium, WebKit, and Gecko

If others want to start their own browser engine from scratch, I think we should try to support them, even if it takes years, or the project rises and lapses. It’s why I heartily welcome Ladybird

It’s not so much that the internet will be flooded with too many browsers, it’s that they should loosen the power grip from the aforementioned three: Google, Apple, and Mozilla

(Also, this could be something they work on the side, not something they frenetically dive into)

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It would take years, highly skilled experts and more money than Proton could spent to write a new browser from scratch and even get close to what Firefox or Chromium offer today.

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I would like to see a private Chromium-based alternative to Brave for desktop that is user friendly. I doubt Proton has the resources to develop a new engine from scratch, and there’s plenty of FireFox forks to choose from already.

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It would just the another chromium/firefox/webkit fork to throw on the pile. I don’t know what they could add to the browser space really.

We have Ladybird coming as a fully new browser from the ground up to look forward to already, Proton would be better off just giving that project some money.

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