'Nine out of ten people prefer our version of the internet over Google's' — Proton Founder Andy Yen on age verification, Big Tech, AI, and the future of digital privacy
From AI ethics and online age verification to taking on Big Tech, Proton is building a complete alternative to Google. TechRadar sat down with CEO Andy Yen to discuss AI, government surveillance, and the future of digital privacy.
In October 2021, Proton's Geneva headquarters stood out against the snowless Swiss Alps as journalists gathered to discuss the privacy-focused company's plans to compete with Google, OpenAI, and Silicon Valley's surveillance capitalism. Proton, which began with an encrypted email service in May 2014, now offers 11 products, including a privacy-first AI chatbot called Lumo.
The company's CEO, Andy Yen, explained that the idea for Proton emerged during the height of government surveillance concerns, but the need for a privacy-focused alternative was clear even before then. Yen noted that Proton's success in attracting users and maintaining its values has made it a differentiator in a market dominated by big players.
While building standalone apps for multiple markets can be challenging, Yen believes that Proton's different approach to security and privacy, as well as the company's long track record, sets it apart from competitors.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
