What is Proton Mail?
Proton Mail is an encrypted email service launched in 2013 and based in Switzerland. It emphasizes privacy and security through features like end-to-end encryption for emails, anonymous sign up without phone numbers or personal information, encrypted contacts and calendars, self-destructing messages, and more.
As an open source project audited by security researchers, Proton Mail aims to protect user data and communications. Emails are encrypted before being sent from a user's device, meaning even Proton Mail servers can't access email content. This prevents third parties from accessing private information.
Proton Mail offers a free subscription level with limited storage as well as paid options for expanded capacity. It's available on web, iOS, and Android. The service has gained significant popularity among privacy advocates, journalists, businesses, and regular email users concerned about data security.
Key features include end-to-end encryption, anonymous sign up, encrypted contacts/calendar, customizable expiry of sent messages, spam and phishing protection through machine learning, encrypted attachments and replies, multi-user access, addresses/aliases, customizable login notifications, etc.