Statement from Proton

UPDATE: 02:20 Zurich - We have rerouted impacted traffic and if you were on one of the impacted networks, please try again as the issue should now be resolved for you. Some issues persist with Proton Docs only, which we are continuing to work on.

Original message:

Hi all, sorry for the delay in responding here. We're aware of the issue and the network team is working on it. Root cause is a fiber failure somewhere in Nordic/Baltic region. It's randomly impacting some users if your ISP happens to route over the impacted routes.

If you are impacted, using a VPN (like Proton VPN) will very likely solve the issue for you while we work on implementing a full fix.

As you might have seen on the news, fiber lines in the Baltics have been going down for unexplained reasons lately, and more issues cropped up tonight. We are removing the problematic sites and networks to reroute traffic, but it's taking a bit longer than usual since we're having some issues accessing some of our equipment in that region.

On Github there is a version 4.2.1, on Aurora store 4.3 released on Nov.7, and on Google play store some other version released on Nov.13 ?

Internationalized Email Addresses, for example প্রোটন@তৌহিদুর.বাংলা is not supported by Proton Mail. When I type my email address in Proton Mail, it weirdly tells me address is not valid.

Note that popular email service providers such as Gmail supports this.

To Reproduce:

Try to send an email to the email address given above.

Quoted:

Hi everyone,

Today we are starting the rollout of an updated Linux client (4.7.4), which introduces bug fixes & performance improvements across the board.

This update was prompted by your feedback regarding the app freezing occasionally, which has now been fixed. Additionally, as part of this update, Linux users should expect to see up to a 70% decrease in memory usage, thanks to an improvement in the ‘Search’ feature. We have also improved the start-up time when launching the app in the logged-in state.

As always, performance may vary from machine to machine based on specifications. Let us know if this improvement has been notable on your end, and if you have suggestions or feedback, please drop it in the comments below.

Thank you for your support,

Proton Team

Can anyone share a Proton support e-mail?

I've just tried to find an answer on their new support page and I'm baffled by the whole experience! Specially the fact that, after not finding the answer I was looking for, I cannot, for the love of some dog, get to an address I can e-mail with the question

It was the same kafkaeske experience I've had with shitty services with shitty websites where, after looking for your particular situation, you end up choosing 'other' just to get pushed to the begining of this shitty flow

"Faster assistance is just a few clicks away" - what the actual fuck?? wrong path, man

https://flathub.org/apps/com.protonvpn.www

https://github.com/flathub/com.protonvpn.www

It is getting official support in the near future!

• New apps for Windows, iOS, and iPadOS as we refresh the look and feel of Proton VPN while also adding some of the most commonly requested features by you, such as hiding free servers (for paid users), selecting servers based on cities, and more.
• Custom DNS for Android, macOS, iOS and iPadOS, and Linux.
• Expanded support for streaming platforms at national and international level (we currently support more than 60).
• iOS users will be able to add a Proton VPN widget to their home screens for easy access.
• Expanded IPv6 support across platforms.
• Port forwarding on macOS & Linux.
• Guest mode for iOS & iPadOS.
• Split tunneling on macOS first, then Linux.
• And some new (~~secret~~) privacy features!

Read full blogpost: Link

Proton's VPN app will be among the first to work natively on Windows ARM PCs, the company announced.

upon installation of the most up to date 4.7.1, I couldn't start the Protonvpn

TLDR, reinstall proton-vpn-gnome-desktop, fixes the issues.

below are my terminal history,

similar to the bug report from reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ProtonVPN/comments/1gjhaoi/protonvpn_update_on_linux_mint_213_fails_to_start/ (front end: https://redlib.privacyredirect.com/r/ProtonVPN/comments/1gjhaoi/protonvpn_update_on_linux_mint_213_fails_to_start/)

$ protonvpn-app 

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/protonvpn-app", line 33, in <module>
    sys.exit(load_entry_point('proton-vpn-gtk-app==4.7.1', 'console_scripts', 'protonvpn-app')())
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/vpn/app/gtk/__main__.py", line 35, in main
    controller = Controller.get(executor, exception_handler)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/vpn/app/gtk/controller.py", line 64, in get
    executor.submit(controller.initialize_vpn_connector).result()
  File "/usr/lib/python3.10/concurrent/futures/_base.py", line 458, in result
    return self.__get_result()
  File "/usr/lib/python3.10/concurrent/futures/_base.py", line 403, in __get_result
    raise self._exception
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/vpn/app/gtk/controller.py", line 97, in initialize_vpn_connector
    self._connector = await self._api.get_vpn_connector()
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/vpn/core/api.py", line 63, in get_vpn_connector
    self._vpn_connector = await VPNConnector.get(
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/vpn/core/connection.py", line 94, in get
    await connector.initialize_state()
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/vpn/core/connection.py", line 251, in initialize_state
    state = await self._get_initial_state()
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/vpn/core/connection.py", line 240, in _get_initial_state
    current_connection = await self._get_current_connection()
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/vpn/core/connection.py", line 218, in _get_current_connection
    backend_class = Loader.get("backend", persisted_parameters.backend)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/proton/loader/loader.py", line 129, in get
    raise RuntimeError(f"Loader: couldn't find an acceptable implementation for {type_name}.")
RuntimeError: Loader: couldn't find an acceptable implementation for backend.

$ sudo apt install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop

[sudo] password for user: 
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Reading state information... Done
The following additional packages will be installed:
  python3-proton-vpn-network-manager
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  proton-vpn-gnome-desktop python3-proton-vpn-network-manager
0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 31.1 kB of archives.
After this operation, 207 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
Get:1 https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian stable/main all python3-proton-vpn-network-manager all 0.9.4 [28.4 kB]
Get:2 https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian stable/main all proton-vpn-gnome-desktop all 0.8.0 [2,628 B]
Fetched 31.1 kB in 1s (24.5 kB/s)                    
Selecting previously unselected package python3-proton-vpn-network-manager.
(Reading database ... 235378 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../python3-proton-vpn-network-manager_0.9.4_all.deb ...
Unpacking python3-proton-vpn-network-manager (0.9.4) ...
Selecting previously unselected package proton-vpn-gnome-desktop.
Preparing to unpack .../proton-vpn-gnome-desktop_0.8.0_all.deb ...
Unpacking proton-vpn-gnome-desktop (0.8.0) ...
Setting up python3-proton-vpn-network-manager (0.9.4) ...
Setting up proton-vpn-gnome-desktop (0.8.0) ...

I'm quite angry at this. I've used Mullvad VPN without any obtrusive ads, with a clean interface that worked very well.

I stumbled upon a new Proton plan and decided I'd pay and sign up to give it a go to meet my growing needs. After turning on my computer, I'm greeted with a massive pop up advertisement that takes up ~30% of my screen. While scanning settings, I do not see an easy way to disable these promotional ads.

I feel like I've gone back in time and am using Norton software that I got with my HP Pavilion Windows XP pc.

I did a quick Internet search and see there's a Reddit post from a year ago where a user complained about the same thing, but no solution was provided. If I find anything I'll update this post. But right now I'm quite angry, and I'm venting because this is my first reaction to seeing this crap. I'm paying for a service and the last thing I want to see are pop up ads.

I'm going to have a serious think about whether or not I should cancel my subscription and instead just keep my Mullvad.

EDIT:

I finished checking Proton VPN's settings and there is no option to disable promotional ads. I'll contact Proton support and see what they advise. Will revert after I hear back from them and complete the Support interaction.

EDIT 2: I posted a reflective comment below, but I figure I'll update this post. I first made this post shortly after I woke up, and my reaction was anger. Now that it's been some time and I have had breakfast, my coffee, and been at work for a while, I realise I shouldn't have reacted that way. I'm more disappointed than angry. I get it if Proton wants to have a pop up that appears once around the Black Friday sales day, which is fine. But at least Steam lets me disable pop up promotions. Why can't Proton? If they won't add a toggle to disable those, then fine I get it - but I only want to appear once. Or at least embed a banner in the Proton app, or just have an "Offers" button. I pay for a service, I don't want pop ups as I personally feel they're hostile to the User experience. Why should that feature exist when Mullvad's UI is seamless, intuitive, and has no pop up ads? Anyway, I'm an adult and I reacted like I'm still a kid. Need to learn from this type of thing and be a better person - sorry, I'm having a reflective introspective moment here that no one should care about except me ha ha.

EDIT 3: Another user recommended I submit a feature request to improve Proton, which I have done so.

Here is where I posted and voted on my idea request:

"Add Settings toggle to disable pop up promotional ads from Proton (e.g., Black Friday promo)" - https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/932836-proton-vpn/suggestions/48959543-pop-up-notifications-in-the-proton-vpn-application#comments

And here is another idea request I found from someone else who posted something similar a few weeks ago on oct 14th, although their request is to just disable pop up ads entirely:

"Pop-up notifications in the Proton VPN application, specifically those promoting Proton Duo" - https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/932836-proton-vpn/suggestions/48959543-pop-up-notifications-in-the-proton-vpn-application#comments

I think the suggestion here is that if you're a Proton user and if this bothers you, it might be worth commenting and voting on my idea request to help with visibility to the Proton dev team.

I'll post a final update once I complete my support interaction with proton support.

FINAL EDIT:

I included a screenshot with all identifiable information redacted for both Proton and myself. I guess two Zendesk support tickets were created for this issue. While you can review the full details in the responses, the summary from Proton is simply as follows:

• We have the ability to opt out of promotional communications over email by logging into your Proton online account.
• Disabling promotional pop ups in Proton VPN (and perhaps other Proton apps - I only have VPN) is not a feature in the application
• You can submit and vote on feature requests in the UserVoice platform they setup.

Ultimately, the only way we can request this change is by voting for it on the UserVoice platform. If this issue is important to you, scroll up and click on those Uservoice.com links I provided and vote on those features. Also helps to add a comment on that page as well.

As for me, I think me feeling like my reaction to cancel is brash (as I previously shared my feelings to this issue in an earlier update yesterday. I'll certainly keep my subscription simply because I've only had it for a small time frame and I have not fully tried out the service. Unless Proton VPN blows me away with features that I can't get in any other VPN, I don't believe I'll renew. I will most likely let my subscription expire and then go back to Mullvad since they give a fantastic VPN app with things that are not hostile to the user experience. If Proton commits to adding the feature I'm looking for, I may consider renewing or possibly exploring their other services.

Thanks for everyone chiming in with their thoughts. Hope you learned something today (???)! And I'll leave you with one final thing - remember to be kind to each other. Sure I reacted over this issue with anger, but I was kind to the support people at Proton because it's certainly not their fault. And most importantly, I had a chance to reflect and realise my anger at the situation was immature and I hope that I tucked this away and learned from it. Remember to forgive yourself like I did. The world needs more kindness - be the change you want to see in the world. Alright, enough of this positivity crap. This is just a post about a VPN service, not a feel good moment. :)

Is it possible to share a proton doc to someone without an account?

According to this help page, there should be a public link creator. When I open the dialog this option does not appear.

Am I missing something, or is this possibly related to the fact that the document was created in proton?

The Google Play Store version of Proton VPN (not the F-Droid or GitHub versions (unless they have been updated the last few weeks)) allows people to use Proton VPN as a 'Guest', i.e. without logging into a Proton account. The average user might think, because they have not provided an email address or any other details whatsoever, that using Proton VPN as a Guest gives them an additional layer of anonymity.

Would they be correct?

Or am I right in thinking that when a person downloads the VPN app from the Play Store, their Gmail address (logged into the Google Play Store) is shared with Proton, and because Proton receives this identifiable information from Google it is why Proton allows 'Guest' usage on the Play Store version and not on the FOSS versions of the app?

If yes, does Proton store these Gmail addresses and are therefore able to provide them to Swiss authorities if demanded?

Proton VPN says they are a "no-logs VPN service", but their definition of what that is leaves me with a few questions. They say "we keep no session usage logs" of which websites people visit, or their actual IP address, but does this mean the data they have is only cleared once the session ends? Do they not need an identifier to know where to send data whilst the VPN is in use? What if the user does not switch off their VPN - can Proton what websites a specific Google 'Guest' user is visiting whilst they are in a session?

Although a user logged in with a Proton account would have peace of mind that some or all their other data (emails, files, etc) is E2EE and therefore safe, if the the user is a 'Guest' and Proton stores their Gmail address, the user is much more likely to be identified and their Google data accessed by authorities.

If on a single device the user is logged into their Proton account in their browser or other Proton apps but use the VPN as a Guest because they think it would make them less identifiable, could Proton, or Swiss or foreign authorities connect the Proton account with the VPN usage (specifically, the Gmail account if nothing else)?

All that is to ask, are 'Guests' any more or less 'anonymous' than Proton VPN users who log in with their Proton account?

I’ve been looking into the student discount offered by Proton. I’ve tried going through student beans and I never seen uBlock freak out as much as it has so I am not touching any of those links is there a (safe) way to get the discount and is it even still offered? Thanks for the help

Can someone see my email if I publicly share the proton drive file? I tested this, and I can't see the email, but I still want to confirm this with the community since it's not stated anywhere.

from the team:

Hi everyone,

Docs in Drive has gone mobile! Securely collaborate and manage your documents from your mobile device with the Proton Drive app, on both iOS and Android. End-to-end encryption ensures your privacy, wherever you are.

More on Proton Docs here: https://proton.me/blog/docs-proton-drive

Make sure your Drive app is updated, give it a try, and let us know what you think!

Download Proton Drive:https://proton.me/drive/download

from the team:

Hi everyone,

Based on your feedback, we're happy to share that you can now sync aliases between Proton Pass and SimpleLogin.

This feature is rolling out now and will be available for everyone soon. ⏰

Here's how it works:

• Tap the 'sync aliases' button in Proton Pass
• Choose which vault to sync aliases to
• Aliases will continue to sync, and disabled aliases will be reflected in Proton Pass and SimpleLogin

What’s next?

Soon, you’ll be able to manage custom domains and additional mailboxes, as well as send emails from Proton Pass hide-my-email aliases.

Let us know what you think.

Proton Team

Proton has been uploading short 1.5 minute videos on their channel, and I feel like they lack substance and don't go over any of the topics meaningfully. Do you see this format resonating with the public? Should they be making more in-depth videos?

I'm guessing the demographic that follows Naomi Brockwell TV, for example, doesn't intersect much with the ones that might watch those shorts