https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/we-would-be-less-confidential-than-google-proton-threatens-to-quit-switzerland-over-new-surveillance-law [] Skip to main content (*) ( ) Open menu Close menu TechRadar the technology experts [ ] Search Search TechRadar [ ] Sign in * * View Profile * Sign out RSS US Edition flag of US (English) Asia flag of Singapore Singapore Europe flag of Danmark Danmark flag of Suomi Suomi flag of Norge Norge flag of Sverige Sverige flag of UK UK flag of Italia Italia flag of Nederland Nederland flag of Belgie (Nederlands) Belgie (Nederlands) flag of France France flag of Deutschland Deutschland flag of Espana Espana North America flag of US (English) US (English) flag of Canada Canada flag of Mexico Mexico Australasia flag of Australia Australia flag of New Zealand New Zealand * * Phones * Computing * TVs * AI * Streaming * Health * Audio * VPN * More + Cameras + Home + News + Reviews + Opinion + How to + Versus + Deals + Coupons + Best Trending * Nintendo Switch 2 * ChatGPT * Best laptop * Best VPN * NYT Wordle today Recommended reading Hand with mobile phone and VPN application with the EU flag on a laptop's screen on the background VPN Privacy & Security "Weakening encryption would make European security worse" - the VPN industry reacts to the EU's plan for end-to-end encryption backdoors EU VPN Privacy & Security VPN services may soon become a new target of EU lawmakers after being deemed a "key challenge" Shattered glass with padlock icon and national Sweden flag - security concept VPN Privacy & Security "A dangerous approach" - Experts urge the Swedish Parliament to reject the encryption backdoor law avel Durov, chief executive officer of Telegram, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. 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VPN Privacy & Security "We would be less confidential than Google" - Proton threatens to quit Switzerland over new surveillance law News By Chiara Castro published 14 May 2025 If passed, new rules would require VPNs and messaging apps to identify and retain users' data * * * * * * * * Comments ( 0 ) () When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. Proton CEO and founder Andy Yen poses next to the Proton logo at the headquarters of the encrypted email and VPN services company in Geneva. (Image credit: Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Proton CEO confirmed the company will leave Switzerland if new controversial surveillance rules pass * An amendment to the current surveillance law would require VPNs and messaging apps to identify and retain user data * Another Swiss company, NymVPN, is also ready to leave the country instead of undermining its privacy and security infrastructure --------------------------------------------------------------------- Proton confirms the company will leave Switzerland if new controversial surveillance rules pass. Switzerland is considering amending its surveillance law, with experts warning against the risk to secure encryption and online anonymity in the country. Specifically, the amendment could require all VPN services, messaging apps, and social networks to identify and retain user data - an obligation that is now limited to mobile networks and internet service providers. The firm behind one of the best VPN and encrypted email services, Proton, is ready to fight back on behalf of the privacy of its over 100 million users. Other Swiss-based companies, like NymVPN, are also doing the same. You may like * "Weakening encryption would make European security worse" - the VPN industry reacts to the EU's plan for end-to-end encryption backdoors * VPN services may soon become a new target of EU lawmakers after being deemed a "key challenge" * "A dangerous approach" - Experts urge the Swedish Parliament to reject the encryption backdoor law TechRadar needs you! TechRadar needs you! We want to know what you think about the world of VPNs. Whether you're a novice or a VPN pro, we want to hear your thoughts. Don't worry, though, your responses are completely anonymous, and it takes less than five minutes to complete! To take part, click the link below: https://futurenet.questionpro.eu/ tr-vpn No choice but to leave In an interview with RTS (Radio Television Suisse) on May 13, 2025, Proton CEO Andy Yen slammed the proposed amendment as a "major violation of the right to privacy" that will also harm the country's reputation and its ability to compete on an international level. "This revision attempts to implement something that has been deemed illegal in the EU and the United States. The only country in Europe with a roughly equivalent law is Russia," said Yen. The amendment aims to expand the number of service providers targeted to include so-called "derived service providers". Crucially, the new provisions will introduce three new types of information and two types of monitoring. If the changes pass, Proton will be forced to modify how Proton Mail and Proton VPN handle encryption, alongside its strict no-log policies - something the company isn't willing to do. "I think we would have no choice but to leave Switzerland," said Yen. "The law would become almost identical to the one in force today in Russia. It's an untenable situation. We would be less confidential as a company in Switzerland than Google, based in the United States. So it's impossible for our business model." In Switzerland, the new version of the surveillance law aims to make it impossible for Proton, Threema and@nymproject to operate from Switzerland. We are in the consultation phase. We will fight. https://t.co/BcMBxzIPFCMarch 25, 2025 Proton is not alone in feeling this way, though. A new player in the VPN world, NymVPN has also been publicly fighting Swiss government plans since the beginning. Talking to TechRadar, Nym's co-founder and COO, Alexis Roussel, confirmed that Nym will do the same and leave Switzerland if the new surveillance rules are enforced. What's next? As public consultations ended on May 6, 2025, we will now have to wait and see what the Swiss government decides. Nonetheless, Roussel confirmed to TechRadar that there has been significant push-back from political parties and Swiss companies. Some Cantons, including Geneva, have even called on the right to digital integrity as an argument against these rules. Roussel was the main originator of the initiative that introduced this new right to protect citizens' online privacy and data - in Geneva in 2023 and Neuchatel in 2024 - with over 90% consensus. Yen also told RTS to be more optimistic, despite pointing out how this matter shows the need for a more balanced approach when it comes to crafting new laws. "If we can get Bern to adopt common-sense rules that allow companies like Proton to be competitive in Switzerland and around the world, I will stay, take my passport, and continue to invest in Switzerland," he added. You might also like * Windscribe CEO speaks out against global threats to no-log VPNs * Encryption backdoors: privacy can be misused, "but the cost of a world without is so much higher" * "A win for privacy" - Florida rejects the encryption backdoor law for social media Chiara Castro Chiara Castro Social Links Navigation News Editor (Tech Software) Chiara is a multimedia journalist committed to covering stories to help promote the rights and denounce the abuses of the digital side of life - wherever cybersecurity, markets, and politics tangle up. She believes an open, uncensored, and private internet is a basic human need and wants to use her knowledge of VPNs to help readers take back control. She writes news, interviews, and analysis on data privacy, online censorship, digital rights, tech policies, and security software, with a special focus on VPNs, for TechRadar and TechRadar Pro. Got a story, tip-off, or something tech-interesting to say? Reach out to chiara.castro@futurenet.com You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Logout Read more Hand with mobile phone and VPN application with the EU flag on a laptop's screen on the background "Weakening encryption would make European security worse" - the VPN industry reacts to the EU's plan for end-to-end encryption backdoors EU VPN services may soon become a new target of EU lawmakers after being deemed a "key challenge" Shattered glass with padlock icon and national Sweden flag - security concept "A dangerous approach" - Experts urge the Swedish Parliament to reject the encryption backdoor law avel Durov, chief executive officer of Telegram, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. Telegram pledges to exit the market rather than "undermine encryption with backdoors" View on National Assembly building in Paris, France, with French and European flags flying. France rejects controversial encryption backdoor provision ignal messaging application President Meredith Whittaker poses for a photograph before an interview at the Europe's largest tech conference, the Web Summit, in Lisbon on November 4, 2022. 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