Proton ecosystem — encrypted email, calendar, password manager, cloud storage and VPN
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Why I Stopped Using Google and Microsoft for My Personal Data

Not out of paranoia, but out of principle. How I migrated to Proton and what I learned along the way.

  • Privacy
  • Proton
  • Big Tech

I’ve been thinking for a while about how I deal with big tech — specifically Google and Microsoft.

Not out of paranoia. More because it started to feel logical to be more deliberate about where you leave your data. Gmail, Google Drive, Outlook, OneDrive — it’s convenient, but you’re always paying for it somehow. And that payment comes in the form of your data. You are the product.

The thing that actually pushed me over the edge was seeing ads inside my Gmail inbox. That was the moment it clicked.

The Switch to Proton

I migrated to the Proton ecosystem: Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, and Pass for passwords. Everything under one roof, end-to-end encrypted, no advertising model.

Was it easy?

Some parts were, some weren’t. The “Login with Google” button had crept into more places than I realised. And migrating all your accounts to a new email address is a genuine pain — you just have to sit down and go through it one by one. But worth it, in my opinion.

What Makes Proton Actually Good

Once you’re in, the features are genuinely impressive:

  • Self-destructing emails — messages can be made unreadable after a set time
  • Email aliases — you never have to hand out your real address
  • Tracker removal — strips tracking pixels from incoming mail
  • End-to-end encryption across all services — not just marketing copy, it’s the entire architecture
  • Polished clients — everything looks and feels good to use

These aren’t gimmicks. They’re features that change how you think about email.

Why It Matters

The broader point isn’t really about Proton specifically. It’s about being aware that free services built on advertising have a fundamental conflict of interest with your privacy. When the business model is selling attention, your inbox becomes inventory.

Proton is a Swiss company funded by subscriptions, not ads. That alignment of incentives matters more than any individual feature.

If you want to explore European alternatives to big tech services, this list is a good starting point. Or go straight to Proton if you want to see what I switched to.

The migration is annoying. Do it anyway.