Proton, Tor, Brave, Tutanota and co lay the groundwork for a more private web

In the battle for our personal data raging between several governments around the world, NGOs and GAFAM, irreducible organizations are taking the lead and unveiling the “ Privacy Pledge “.

The internet has been shaped by the business model of tech giants. We can mention Google, Meta, Amazon… sprawling companies that enrich our interactions with the web, which makes them essential. But Internet users are showing a desire to protect their privacy, and they are not alone in this process.

Offering an alternative to surveillance capitalism

The twelve signatory organizations of the Privacy Pledge are companies, academics and NGOs from several countries. Among them are players recognized for their privacy protection services, such as the Tor project, the Brave browser, the Neeva search engine, but also the secure email service Tutanota and especially Proton, which offers a complete encrypted ecosystem. end to end.

With the desire to restore an Internet closer to the vision of its creators, the group affirms that the key principles that have been established do not support or reflect any specific public policy or technological tool. the Privacy Pledge is therefore a statement of intent which, based on personal commitments and years of experience, should lay the foundations for a more democratic and private Internet. It marks a clear opposition to tech giants and the “ surveillance capitalism and its regressive effects on user privacy, freedom and choice “.

Thus, Sridhar Ramaswamy, CEO and co-founder of Neeva, says:

“For too long, big tech companies have exploited user data, abused their dominant position, taxed small businesses and stifled competition to remain the most powerful guardians of our online experience. The “free” model of the internet actually comes at a very high price: we pay for it with our attention and our privacy. »

Founding principles to break the status quo

Beyond the declarations of the twelve signatories, the initiative includes the following five principles:

• The Internet should above all be designed to serve individuals, respect fundamental human rights, be accessible to all and allow the free flow of information;
• Organizations should only collect the data they need to prevent abuse while ensuring the operation of their services;
• Individual data should be securely encrypted while in transit and in storage;
• Online organizations need to be transparent about their identity and software;
• Online services should be interoperable, to prevent the creation of siled areas and create an open and
  competition that fosters innovation.

Andy Yen, Founder and CEO of Proton, says:

“Companies, like those that have signed the Privacy Pledge, are offering a private alternative to the current status quo. By setting ourselves higher ideals, we believe we can lead by example for companies that innovate and offer users real privacy protection. By working together, we can get the Internet back to what it was meant to be. »

The group is challenging well-established giants and wants to change a system whose profitability is well established. In line with a growing trend, the Privacy Pledge highlights an alternative Internet that could also exist without systematically using the personal data of those who animate it.

Source : The Privacy Pledge