this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2025
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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/37218429

When called out on it, they then doubled down on this dogshit take: https://archive.ph/quYyb

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[–] [email protected] 29 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Me being too lazy and putting off switching to Proton has paid off!

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[–] [email protected] 159 points 4 days ago (2 children)

The initial post could just be chalked up to naivety if we're feeling charitable, but using the official proton accounts for this stuff is an extremely bad move. Then half-assedly retracting it without acknowledging he posted it, doubling down, and making every classic PR mistake. Aside from potential capitulation to a regime that clearly values power more than human rights, there's significant risk from a person with such bad judgement having apparently no safeguards or second opinions when he's posting. What other decisions is he unilaterally making for proton that aren't publicly known?

[–] [email protected] 78 points 4 days ago

He's another mini Elon wannabe, obviously. They're coming out of the woodwork lately.

I hope people are taking notes so these scum don't get to skate later when it falls down around their ears.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

This is basically my thinking and why I will be shifting away from their products as well

[–] [email protected] 71 points 4 days ago

This comment right here absolutely nails it.

The Republicans have installed a Supreme Court that guts antitrust at every step, and Andy gives them a pass. Anyone that's that bloody oblivious of how the GOP have spent 25 years trying to remove consumer protections at every turn shouldn't be managing a popsicle stand, let alone an email service so many rely on to be private.

What a redundant muffin.

[–] [email protected] 115 points 4 days ago (17 children)

Cancelled my years long subscription today. Any company that bows down to tRump should be avoided. Vote with your wallet.

[–] [email protected] 31 points 4 days ago

I did the same! No more proton unlimited! It is better to use products from multiple companies instead of one.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I really don't understand this compulsion people have to publicly announce their political support.

Like, this guy could have just said nothing, literally just not do anything, and he'd be better off.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

That's not how sucking up to fascists works though.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Is what he's saying true? That the antitrust laws he's referring to were started by trump?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Bro, he's got Musk as a cabinet member and was put into the spotlight by Murdoch and Thiel, and his Supreme Court gives out handies to any CEO that asks.

If he did anti-trust anything it was either by accident, for revenge against a specific company, or intendes to be used as it was in the 1890's:

To bust unions.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Sherman-Antitrust-Act

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 days ago

People here need to read about how fascism in Germany and Italy were good for business but terrible for the workers. About how the moneyed interests played a role in the rise of fascism in both as a defense mechanism against unions and socialism.

[–] [email protected] 76 points 4 days ago

Guy who sells VPNs really supportive of political party that blocks parts of the internet regionally

[–] [email protected] 85 points 4 days ago (2 children)

The post was deleted and they are in cleanup mode. Best thing we can do is post this everywhere and demand a public apology and the firing of Andy Yen.

Otherwise end your subscriptions!

[–] [email protected] 28 points 4 days ago

What is the Streisand effect?

[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 days ago

We can demand his firing but unfortunately he's one of three founders, he's unlikely to be fired. But I hope it's a wakeup call to them that they should have a policy of keeping their mouth shut on politics, including all board members.

[–] [email protected] 77 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (6 children)

Grrrreat... Can anyone please suggest an alternative? I've switched to Proton trying to de-Google...

[–] [email protected] 69 points 4 days ago (10 children)

For Email: Posteo, Tutanota, Disroot

For VPN: Mullvad, AirVPN, IVPN

For password manager: Keypassxc, Bitwarden

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[–] [email protected] 51 points 4 days ago

When called out on it, they then doubled down on this dogshit take:

That makes it seem like Andy here just doubled down, but it's way worse than that. The company released an official statement doubling down on Yen's stance.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 days ago (3 children)

what the fuck???? literally HOW did he reach that conclusion
Anyone got a email site that won't shut down or turn fascist?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

FastMail has been around a long time and they're very good. MXRoute is good too and lets you have unlimited email addresses at an unlimited number of domains (they only limit it based on storage space)

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 4 days ago (1 children)

This is bewildering. What a shame.

I had minor gripes with some of their services but Proton has broadly been pretty great in my eyes.

Some CEOs baffle me. Surely, even if they are massive fans of one US political party over the other, they'd have the sense to keep it to themselves to prevent it becoming a thing that causes a fallout with existing/potential customers? But no. They're too fucking narcissistic for that, and they think everyone wants to hear their opinions and follow them.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 4 days ago

Most of the companies/ceos doing this over the past few weeks do know better. That's why they didnt say anything earlier. The reason they would be publicly taking this stance now is that they either expect to be rewarded by the incoming administration, or they hope to avoid punitive retaliation.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I was looking to use ProtonVPN but since that story, i would prefer an alternative.

What do you guys use for VPN (i think i saw Mullvad in the replies ?)

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago

Mullvad

I thought they were wonderful. Until they got rid of port forwarding, which is the only reason why I was paying them: as a torrenting VPN.

If you don't need that feature, Mullvad is still great...they take privacy/security seriously! That's why they got rid of the feature I used haha.

They've also been put to the test and passed IMO:

https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/21/23692580/mullvad-vpn-raid-sweden-police

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

I use PIA VPN.

[–] [email protected] 49 points 4 days ago (1 children)

It seems obvious to me now.

Many US states are now requiring age verification for adult sites. VPN companies will benefit if that requirement expands. The Republican party's pearl-clutching politics are what can make that happen.

[–] [email protected] 31 points 4 days ago (3 children)

Reminds me of the time the CEO of grindr said he opposed gay marriage.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago

Republicans haven’t stood for the little guy for at least….40 years?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 days ago (10 children)

Support business policies of a group that removes oversight, accountability, responsibility, and makes it so he keeps more money.

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[–] [email protected] 43 points 4 days ago

Believing in any way that Republicans are helping out the little guy or against big business is so ridiculous I have to believe this is willful ignorance to cover up the fact that a lot more people will need VPNs with all the porn bans and other privacy nightmares the right will pass the next few years.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 4 days ago (6 children)

Cancelled my subscription today. I will be finding an alternative.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I had just signed up a few nights ago to try it out before subscribing, it's an easy cancel at this point and is being done momentarily.

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 4 days ago

Canceled my sub last night, ported everything to Tuta today. No issues this far.

Super disappointing, but is what it is and I'll move on.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 4 days ago (2 children)

So we're keeping Lina Kahn, right? RIGHT?

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