Proton, the Swiss maker of privacy-enhancing apps, has a brand new pen after including doc creation, modifying and collaboration capabilities to its safe cloud storage providing. The launch of Docs on Proton Drive, as the brand new product is named, follows the acquisition of safe note-taking app Commonplace Notes in April.
Proton launched Proton Drive, its end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) cloud storage service, again in September 2022, beginning with internet assist and increasing to cellular gadgets later that 12 months.
New collaborative documenting options turn into out there in Proton Drive, additional extending the corporate’s trademark sturdy safety to one more key productiveness software for info staff and people alike.
Proton presents the mixture of Docs in Proton Drive as a safe and privacy-oriented different to Google Drive and Docs, on condition that the latter’s competing merchandise lack Proton’s flagship knowledge-free structure.
“This vital addition to Proton’s suite of privacy-focused merchandise gives a strong different to current doc editors akin to Google Docs, making certain that privateness and safety are paramount — with out compromising on important options,” the corporate wrote in a weblog publish .
E2E encryption refers to a technical structure the place the group offering the software program can’t entry person content material as a result of it doesn’t have encryption keys. This permits Proton to make an untrustworthy promise of privateness that gives a transparent distinction from data-dependent enterprise fashions akin to Google.
“Docs presents the identical degree of encryption as Proton Drive, that means all content material is E2EE protected,” an organization spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch. “Even modifications and keystrokes are encrypted, together with file names and paths.”
“Creating collaborative paperwork that protect E2EE was extremely troublesome, and we have not seen anybody else do it available in the market. This consists of sharing keys and syncing key info, in addition to the flexibility to ask individuals to collaborate and revoke these permissions, in addition to share paperwork privately,” the corporate additionally stated.
Proton says it is going to replace its web site within the subsequent few weeks to offer extra particulars on how Docs works behind the scenes. The corporate notes that it already launched superior sharing options on Proton Drive just a few weeks in the past in anticipation of this launch.
In line with Proton, Docs in Proton Drive consists of well-liked and “must-have” options akin to full assist for markup and wealthy textual content, code blocks, and checklists. It additionally confirmed compatibility for a number of file varieties, together with Microsoft .docx, and the flexibility to insert pictures into paperwork.
Collaboration options embrace the flexibility so as to add and reply to (and resolve) feedback, and see who else is viewing a doc in real-time with “shared cursors.” Invites to collaborate on paperwork are additionally supported; members with no Proton account can be prompted to create a free account to realize entry, which might assist it drive extra sign-ups and gasoline its development.
In line with Proton’s freemium precept, the brand new doc options can be found totally free by way of Proton Drive, which presents as much as 5GB of free storage. After that threshold, customers who need to reap the benefits of the doc capabilities might want to improve to the paid tier of Drive.
Extra options are in improvement. Proton stated its roadmap will concentrate on bettering person expertise and productiveness, beginning with extra highly effective collaboration instruments for groups. Constructing on Proton’s promise of safety, it presents Docs in Drive to companies with excessive knowledge safety compliance necessities, akin to in industries akin to healthcare, media, finance and regulation. Nonetheless, particular person customers may profit.
The corporate confirmed that the code for the paperwork will quickly be open sourced, permitting for impartial audits and verification of safety necessities.
One other encouraging step for customers is that final month Proton introduced a transfer to a not-for-profit basis construction mannequin, with the brand new basis turning into the primary shareholder of the (for-profit) enterprise. It says these administration modifications are designed to protect the privateness safety mission over the long run by making certain self-sufficiency and independence from different industrial plans.
The app maker, which was based a decade in the past as an E2EE webmail service (ProtonMail), has expanded through the years by increasing to supply a set of free, productivity-focused, privacy-friendly apps, together with a cloud storage service along with calendar app, VPN and password administration software.
Proton now experiences greater than 100 million person accounts, with 500 workers supporting all of its applied sciences.
