Proton, the privacy-focussed firm behind successful VPN service and an e-mail supplier, has introduced its end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) cloud storage to iOS and Android.

The announcement (opens in new tab) of the launch of Proton Drive follows the launch of the service as an internet software in September 2022, and sees Proton proceed to construct ecosystems just like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Dropbox. Even so, Proton has a couple of distinctive edges which may make enterprise customers take discover.

For one, end-to-end encryption of each information and metadata signifies that not even Proton is aware of what’s hosted on their service. For an additional, the information is saved in knowledge facilities in Switzerland and Germany, placing it underneath among the strongest privateness legal guidelines on the planet.

Cloud storage safety

Proton claims that the cross-platform availability of information hosted on its cloud backup service received’t compromise the encryption. 

Offline entry for information, a typical characteristic for cloud storage providers, might be encrypted in such a method that they will solely be accessed by way of the Proton Drive app. iOS customers have the  capacity to set a PIN that’s required to open the app, which can then generate a key to encrypt all Proton Drive information saved domestically.

Externally shared information additionally profit from hyperlinks that it claims will ship information in an “encrypted setting” whereas nonetheless being obtainable to anybody with no Proton account. Hyperlinks may be password protected, and have expiration dates set for them.

The corporate claims that Proton Drive takes knowledge away from “the management of Massive Tech” and “authorities mass surveillance”, which should attraction to any privacy-conscious enterprise proprietor or IT supervisor, irrespective of the scale of their tinfoil hat.

It additionally introduced {that a} Proton Drive Home windows software might be obtainable in beta “shortly”, with a macOS app to observe. Each are set to see full launch in 2023.

•  Try our record of one of the best NAS exhausting drives proper now