this post was submitted on 20 May 2026
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Oh don't worry, I did this to Microsoft losers long ago, then Facebook, Google, Tesla, etc.
Talking shit about garbage services and companies is just a hobby of mine. Why so many bootlickers come scurrying out though has always been a surprise to me.
Maybe the point is, what is your alternative? Proton is still much more privacy focused than anything else that provides the same services.
Setting up your own domain isn’t for everyone. Tuta has less functionality and doesn’t offer things like cloud storage or VPN.
Yes they can do better, but calling it garbage is not helpful either.
People who disagree with you are not automatically boot lickers. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. As are you, even though I disagree with you.
The alternative is not paying for security theatre from a garbage company. Pretending Proton is the only option is beyond silly. I won't list off alternatives because you can find them easily yourself if you cared to.
You do hit on the best course of action though which is self hosting. I will admit I fought setting up an email server in the past and it was very difficult, but that is not the case anymore with docker and other solutions. Obviously this is not for everyone and that's why it is important to help out your fellow man.
Proton has lied repeatedly, back pedal repeatedly and constantly blames the end user for their shitty security practices. The leaders, in particular Andy Yen, are total douche canoes. I will never forget him saying that Trumplethinkskin was going to break up Google. That shit aged like fine milk.
I also suspect Proton is actually a honey trap for criminals. This corporations leaves a bad taste in my mouth with their fascist attempts to alter government policy with stupid threats like they will leave the country. Absolute garbage that they never intended to follow through on and just trying to score PR points for their security theater nonsense.
People who put companies like Proton on a pedestal are impossibly dumb. Giving a corporation your hard earned money for security has got to be one of the stupidest maneuvers in the digital world.
I am sorry, but people who defend corporations are the definition of bootlickers.
What alternatives to big tech that provide the same (or, most of the same, I’m not trying to be an asshole here) services are there? I’m not acting, nor am I silly. I’m not trying to personally attack you, so please don’t do it to me.
I tried to find alternatives and I disliked Yen’s comments a lot too, but I still decided on Proton for a move away from Microsoft and towards Europe. In this case perfect is the enemy of good, and that is what you’re doing here. It’s not very helpful.
You also can’t expect normal consumers with busy lives who don’t work a tech job to set up a private domain. Not everyone can be expected to go around asking their friends if they might have a tech-savvy cousin to set it up.
And how is not acknowledging it is garbage (I acknowledged it’s not perfect either, but it is good) putting it on a pedestal? I’m getting the feeling this is mostly an emotional response from you rather than a rational one.
You mentioned Tutanota, but also Hushmail, Mailfence, Zoho Mail, Mailbox, Posteo, Disroot, etc. I could probably dig up several more honestly without really trying.
I am sorry you feel trapped using Proton. This is the game and moving is time consuming and sometimes complicated. As Proton capitalizes increasing their cost and promoting lock with their walled garden leaving will have to be a painful and personal choice for you.
I think with something important as email that consumers should take the time, pretending there is not enough time to deal with email is rather silly. I can see how self-defeating your perspective is. I am sorry you have bought into the idea that convenience and security go hand in hand.
I also have issues with using Europe as some panacea to US big tech. While US big tech should be avoided like the plague all their problems are also found in European corporations. There is no magic bullet, but if I had to choose it would be an independent and small provider.
I get the feeling you are an entrenched user who knows better but you are already falling into a sunk cost fallacy situation. Good luck on your endeavors.
It's because people don't like to be publicly proven wrong or humilliated or whatever you want to call it. Unless they come to that conclusion themselves or you can express your point in more polite and less preachy manner, you'll always get significant pushback.