Redazione RHC : 18 August 2025 17:28
Technology company Proton, which already has 100 million users worldwide, found itself at the center of two major news stories. First, the launch of its generative artificial intelligence, Lumo, which promises absolute privacy for users. Second, CEO Andy Yen announced in an interview with Le Temps the suspension of investments in Switzerland.
The reason was a possible reform of Swiss regulations on communications surveillance. According to Yen, the proposed changes would lead to mass surveillance and force private companies to spy on their users in the interests of the state. As a result, Proton is no longer investing in the country and is shifting strategic investments to Europe. The company will use 100 million francs to build data centers in Germany and Norway.
Yen explained that the generative AI market is currently controlled by the United States and China: Google Gemini, ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Microsoft Copilot. This, he noted, is a repeat of the mistake of the late 1990s, when US companies dominated online search, giving rise to “surveillance capitalism.” Proton has decided to offer a European alternative based on privacy principles.
Ian emphasized that, unlike research, artificial intelligence doesn’t just show results, but engages in dialogue, studying personality, political opinions, interests, and even fears. “Today I see how people, including children, are starting to talk to artificial intelligence as if it were a companion,” he said. Therefore, the issue of privacy becomes critical.
The main difference with Lumo, according to Ian, is its encryption system. “Your conversation history is yours alone; no one, not even Proton, has access to it,” he said. Ian himself admitted that he sometimes hesitates to ask AI sensitive questions, not knowing what will happen to his data. Lumo eliminates this problem, allowing AI to be used without fear of losing privacy.
He called the Lumo project the riskiest step in Proton’s 11-year history. Ian admitted that the market demands constant updates and quality comparable to that of Google or Microsoft, and that competitors have incomparably greater resources. But he recalled that Proton Mail was once considered impossible and even ridiculous.
Ian explained: “There are many advanced open-source models available to the public, and we use them in combination to ensure the highest possible quality. Later, we will also have to develop our own models. It’s expensive, but costs are falling rapidly: what used to cost tens of billions will soon cost millions.” He added that Proton is building its own chip and server infrastructure, which it plans to expand after launch.
However, this infrastructure will not be available in Switzerland. Proton is investing 100 million francs in data centers in Germany and Norway. Yen emphasized that the decision has already been made and is irreversible. He added that he recently wrote to Federal Councillor Beat Jans asking for clarification and assurances that the industry’s concerns will be taken into account, but had received no response.
Ian noted that the company cannot wait for the authorities’ final decision: the political process is slow and the AI market is developing rapidly. Furthermore, the European Commission has declared AI a strategic priority and will invest €20 billion over the next 12 months to create 15 “AI factories.” “If I don’t start building now, in six months I won’t be able to find either staff or equipment: everything will be absorbed by massive investments in Europe or the United States,” he said.
He also clarified that Proton’s 100 million franc investment is just the beginning. “It represents only 10% of the total. By the end of the decade, our overall investment plan will exceed 1 billion francs,” Yen said. “In 10 years, there will be a European competitor to Google and Chinese tech companies, and we want to be that company. It is a political and social necessity to defend European values, such as the right to privacy,” he emphasized.
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