ProtonMail is one of the most popular privacy-focused email services. However, they received criticism when a French climate activist was arrested after ProtonMail shared the IP address with law enforcement.

ProtonMail received a legally binding order from Swiss authorities, forcing them to collect information for a particular account. While they already mentioned this in their Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions, what was the reason for all the backlash and confusion?

Here are some of the lessons learned from ProtonMail’s fiasco, which should help you make better decisions regarding online privacy.

1. Privacy-Friendly Services Don't Make You Anonymous

Privacy-focused services were never built to help you remain anonymous on the internet.

Your data will always be collected in one form or another to make a service functional. However, a privacy-friendly service aims to minimize the data needed and prevent it from being abused by third-parties.

You also get better control over your data.

So, when you choose to use a private service, you do not have to worry about aggressive tracking or your data being sold to advertisers.

Plus, of course, privacy-minded services still have other benefits; for instance, ProtonMail lets you send encrypted emails.

2. Watch Out for Dubious Marketing Claims

data privacy

Not every platform that promises privacy as a core feature actually means it.

To attract customers, a product may make claims to look better for publicity and gain good press.

For instance, ProtonMail’s official website advertised “anonymous email” as a feature before the recent criticisms. But they updated the information after coming under fire.

Do proper background research before believing any claims. You can start with checking genuine user reviews, then ask around on social media platforms, and look for online resources to explore if the claims are valid.

3. Read the Privacy Policy

Even if you verified the claims of a product or service, you might have missed the big picture.

The Privacy Policy often clarifies the exact details of data collection—i.e. what is being tracked, how it is being handled, and with whom it is being shared.

You may not find it essential for everyday use, but such policies should not be ignored if someone is an activist or fighting against unjust laws. These kinds of users are usually at risk of being tracked by an oppressive government or law enforcement.

Related: Why ProtonMail Thinks Everyone Should Start Using Tor

Going through the Privacy Policy should give you a better idea of managing your activities on the internet to stay on the safe side.

Even though services like ProtonMail fight for their users to keep the government from collecting your data, ultimately, it is you who is responsible for your actions.

4. Privacy-Focused Services Don't Encourage Illegal Activities

No matter how exceptional a service is, almost every platform has systems that can be enforced to restrict service abuse or use for illegal activities.

While it is good to keep users’ data private, criminals should not benefit from it.

This is why every product includes some Terms and Conditions or legal clarifications. Here, they clarify that they are liable to respond to lawful requests and disclose information about you to the proper authorities.

You need to read these terms carefully to know the risks involved.

Deceiving Users in the Name of Privacy?

Offering “privacy” as a core feature is a well-worn trend, luring in users to try new services. And companies can make fake claims to convince you to use their product.

That's why you need to keep these things in mind when opting for a service that claims any level of privacy.