Proton launches Workspace, uniting its privacy-focused apps to compete with Google
Proton launches Workspace, uniting its privacy-focused apps to compete with Google
Publish Date: 2026-03-31 13:16:00
Source Domain: tech.yahoo.com
Proton Workspace (Proton)
Proton, creators of Yahoo Tech’s pick for the best VPN, is directly challenging Google and Microsoft with its new Proton Workspace bundle. Most of the platforms in Workspace already exist, including Proton VPN, Mail, Drive and Pass. But there’s one newcomer — Proton Meet, which takes video chat and applies Proton’s overarching philosophy of end-to-end encryption.
Proton’s open goal with Meet and Workspace is to provide an alternative to video conference platforms like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, which have been accused of harvesting user data to train their AI models. “End-to-end encryption” means that all communication on the platform is secured, so even the managers of the platform can’t access it. Proton uses this model in all of its Proton Workspace products.
Although there’s no direct evidence that big tech companies are feeding users’ video calls and chats into their AI models, we’ve seen plenty of evidence of those companies switching AI training from opt-in to opt-out. As a lawsuit in California recently claimed, Google Gemini has enormous leeway over your personal data by default. Proton Workspace is targeting users who might be nervous about AI-fueled invasions of privacy.
Proton Meet appears to work more or less the same way as other video chat platforms you may have used. You can generate a link and share it with anyone to invite them, even if they don’t have a subscription. You can even use it free for up to an hour with a maximum of 50 people.
Other than adding Meet and bundling several products together, Workspace isn’t a huge change. It’s available in two tiers: Workplace Standard, which costs $14.99 per month per user (or $12.99/month/user for a year), and Workplace Premium, going for $$24.99 per month per user (or $19.99/month/user for a year). Standard includes Proton VPN, Mail, Sheets, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Pass and Meet. Premium increases the capacity of all those subscriptions and adds Proton’s encrypted AI…
