# Proton

> Swiss technology company focused on digital privacy

**Wikidata**: [Q30537036](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30537036)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_AG)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/proton-q30537036

## Summary
Proton is a Swiss technology company specializing in privacy-focused software and services, including encrypted email, VPN, cloud storage, and password management. Founded in 2014, it is known for its commitment to data security and user privacy, offering tools like Proton Mail, Proton VPN, and Proton Drive.

## Key Facts
- Founded on **July 18, 2014**, in Switzerland.
- Headquartered in **Plan-les-Ouates, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland**.
- CEO and founder: **Andy Yen**, a physicist and computer scientist.
- Operates under the legal name **Proton AG** and is owned by the **Proton Foundation**.
- Offers a suite of privacy-focused products, including **Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Calendar, Proton Pass, and SimpleLogin**.
- Acquired **SimpleLogin** in 2022 and **Standard Notes** in 2024.
- Parent company of **Proton Financial**, a Swiss finance company based in Baar, Canton of Zug.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Proton known for?
A: Proton is known for its privacy-focused software and services, including encrypted email (Proton Mail), VPN (Proton VPN), cloud storage (Proton Drive), and password management (Proton Pass).

### Q: Who founded Proton?
A: Proton was founded by **Andy Yen**, a physicist and computer scientist, who also serves as the CEO.

### Q: Where is Proton headquartered?
A: Proton is headquartered in **Plan-les-Ouates, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland**.

### Q: What products does Proton offer?
A: Proton offers **Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Drive, Proton Calendar, Proton Pass, Proton Wallet, SimpleLogin, and Standard Notes**.

### Q: Is Proton a Swiss company?
A: Yes, Proton is a Swiss company, legally registered as **Proton AG** and headquartered in Switzerland.

## Why It Matters
Proton plays a crucial role in the digital privacy landscape by providing secure, encrypted alternatives to mainstream services. In an era where data breaches and surveillance are growing concerns, Proton's tools empower users to protect their communications, files, and online identities. Its commitment to open-source software and Swiss privacy laws ensures transparency and trust. By offering end-to-end encryption across its suite of products, Proton addresses the need for privacy in email, storage, and online security, making it a key player in the fight for digital rights and user autonomy.

## Notable For
- **First major encrypted email service**: Proton Mail was one of the first widely adopted end-to-end encrypted email providers.
- **Swiss privacy laws**: Operates under strict Swiss privacy regulations, offering strong legal protections for user data.
- **Open-source software**: Many of its products are open-source, ensuring transparency and community trust.
- **Acquisitions**: Expanded its privacy ecosystem by acquiring **SimpleLogin** (2022) and **Standard Notes** (2024).
- **Comprehensive privacy suite**: Offers a full range of privacy tools, from email and VPN to cloud storage and password management.

## Body
### History and Founding
Proton was founded on **July 18, 2014**, by **Andy Yen**, a physicist and computer scientist. The company emerged from a crowdfunding campaign to create **Proton Mail**, an encrypted email service designed to protect user privacy. Since its inception, Proton has expanded its offerings to include a suite of privacy-focused tools.

### Products and Services
Proton's product lineup includes:
- **Proton Mail**: End-to-end encrypted email service.
- **Proton VPN**: Secure virtual private network for anonymous browsing.
- **Proton Drive**: Encrypted cloud storage service.
- **Proton Calendar**: Private online calendar.
- **Proton Pass**: Password manager for secure credential storage.
- **Proton Wallet**: A secure way to hold Bitcoin.
- **SimpleLogin**: Open-source email aliasing service (acquired in 2022).
- **Standard Notes**: Encrypted note-taking app (acquired in 2024).

### Corporate Structure
Proton operates as **Proton AG**, a Swiss limited company (Aktiengesellschaft). It is owned by the **Proton Foundation**, which oversees its mission of promoting digital privacy. The company is headquartered in **Plan-les-Ouates, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland**, with a subsidiary, **Proton Financial**, based in **Baar, Canton of Zug**.

### Leadership
**Andy Yen** serves as the CEO and founder of Proton. He is a physicist and computer scientist with a background in digital privacy and security.

### Global Presence
Proton's services are available worldwide, with localized websites in multiple languages, including **English, Polish, Russian, Turkish, Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish**. The company also maintains a presence on social media platforms like **Twitter, Mastodon, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube**.

### Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Proton adheres to **Swiss privacy laws**, which are among the strictest in the world. The company is registered under the **Swiss Enterprise Identification Number (CHE-354.686.492)** and complies with **EU transparency regulations (ID: 465728241017-36)**.

### Technical Details
- **Autonomous System Number (ASN)**: 62371.
- **Google Play Developer ID**: 7672479706558526647.
- **Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)**: 506700YLQ614KA7PB723.

## Schema Markup
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{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Proton",
  "description": "Swiss technology company specializing in privacy-focused software and services.",
  "url": "https://proton.me",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20058888",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_AG"
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  "additionalType": "SoftwareCompany",
  "founder": {
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    "name": "Andy Yen"
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  "foundingDate": "2014-07-18",
  "headquarters": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "address": {
      "@type": "PostalAddress",
      "addressLocality": "Plan-les-Ouates",
      "addressCountry": "Switzerland"
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  "subOrganization": {
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}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/proton-ag?rid=465728241017-36)
2. [Terms of service](https://proton.me/legal/terms)
3. [Source](https://ge.ch/hrcintapp/externalCompanyReport.action?companyOfrcId13=CH-660-1995014-1&ofrcLanguage=4)
4. [The Proton Foundation](https://proton.me/foundation)
5. [Source](https://proton.me/)
6. [Source](https://www.reddit.com/r/ProtonMail/comments/o6camc/comment/h2rkojw)
7. [Source](https://proton.me/support/zendesk)
8. [Source](https://proton.me/legal/terms)
9. [Proton Mail: Get a private, secure, and encrypted email account](https://proton.me/mail)
10. [Proton VPN: Secure, fast VPN service in 100+ countries](https://protonvpn.com/)
11. [We’re launching Proton Drive, the encrypted cloud storage for everyone. 2022](https://proton.me/blog/proton-drive-launch)
12. [Organize your schedule privately with Proton Calendar](https://proton.me/calendar)
13. [Introducing Proton Pass – Protecting your passwords and online identity. 2023](https://proton.me/blog/proton-pass-launch)
14. [Introducing Proton Wallet – a safer way to hold Bitcoin. 2024](https://proton.me/blog/proton-wallet-launch)
15. [Proton and SimpleLogin are joining forces. 2022](https://proton.me/blog/proton-and-simplelogin-join-forces)
16. [Proton and Standard Notes are joining forces. 2024](https://proton.me/blog/proton-standard-notes-join-forces)
17. [Introducing Lumo, the AI where every conversation is confidential. 2025](https://proton.me/blog/lumo-ai)
18. [Source](https://ge.ch/hrcintapp/externalCompanyReport.action?companyOfrcId13=CH-660-1995014-1)
19. [Proton | Privacy by Default: Overview | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/protonprivacy/)
20. [Source](https://www.uid.admin.ch/Detail.aspx?uid_id=CHE354686492&lang=en)
21. YouTube API