It's also worth pointing out the fact that they offer free services; most likely, your data is their real product. That's to be expected with, say, a social media platform, but a VPN? That is a HUGE security threat. I'm just waiting for the proton security leak. The amount of sketchy data will be choice.

[–] cyborganism@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 month ago (17 children)

No. They're a non profit with a specific mission to further the enhancement of provacy. Under Swiss law they're legally obligated to adhere to this. Which means they can't collect user data willy nilly and sell it.

Also, it wouldn't make sense for a non-profit organization to profit from selling user data.

[–] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (9 children)

Non-profits make profit all the time. The key difference between a for-profit and a non-profit is that a for-profit company takes that money and gives it to its owners, and a non-profit is legally required to reinvest that money in its organization or missions.

Of course, non-profits can also do shitty things like nepo hires with vastly inflated salaries, throw parties and extravagant galas for "fundraising" and spent almost nothing on the charity aspect.

This is why lots of rich fucks setup their own "philanthropy" organizations. They can dump their wealth into tax free and pay themselves and their heirs ungodly sums while paying for villas/jets/etc from the untaxed non-profit.

[–] Vinstaal0 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Switzerland is not the us though

[–] mosiacmango@lemm.ee 1 points 1 month ago

Correct? Those two are indeed separate countries with separate laws.

My explanation of the above was just a general breakdown about how nonprofit and for-profits differ. It was certainly US centric, if that's your critique.

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