Limited recent checks passed
Secure email that protects your privacy.
Proton Mail is an email service that accepts Bitcoin, Fiat, and Cash. It has no mention of KYC policies and has a score of 7/10.
Scores
- No KYC mention
- No mention of current or future KYC requirements.
Registration does not require personal information, and anonymous Bitcoin or cash payments are accepted. You may be asked to provide a phone number or email for anti-spam verification, but these are cryptographically hashed and not permanently stored in raw form.
- Recently approved 0 -5
Approved on KYCnot.me less than 15 days ago (5 days ago). Proceed with caution.
Approved on KYCnot.me less than 15 days ago (5 days ago). Proceed with caution.
0 Privacy-5 Trust - May suspend your account 0 -4
The service reserves the right to suspend or limit access to your account. For example, if you have overdue payments or you violated the service's ToS.
The service reserves the right to suspend or limit access to your account. For example, if you have overdue payments or you violated the service's ToS.
0 Privacy-4 Trust - Third-Party payment processor -2 +1
Payments are handled through a third-party processor, such as Coinbase, CoinPayments, NOWPayments...
Payments are handled through a third-party processor, such as Coinbase, CoinPayments, NOWPayments...
-2 Privacy+1 Trust - Account required -1 0
Users require creating an account with the service in order to access and use its features.
Users require creating an account with the service in order to access and use its features.
-1 Privacy0 Trust - No KYC mention +15 0
No mention of current or future KYC requirements.
- Identity-Free registration +10 0
Users can create accounts without giving personal information (such as full name, address or phone number). Note that some services might initially allow this, but they may subsequently request personal information (i.e. Automated flagging systems, Shotgun KYC...).
Users can create accounts without giving personal information (such as full name, address or phone number). Note that some services might initially allow this, but they may subsequently request personal information (i.e. Automated flagging systems, Shotgun KYC...).
+10 Privacy0 Trust - Personal info is not verified +9 0
These services do not conduct checks on personal information, meaning that you could use temporary emails, disposable phone numbers, or fake name / addresses.
These services do not conduct checks on personal information, meaning that you could use temporary emails, disposable phone numbers, or fake name / addresses.
+9 Privacy0 Trust - Has Onion or I2P URLs +5 0
Onion (Tor) and I2P URLs enhance privacy and anonymity.
- Audited 0 +5
The service has been audited by an independent 3rd party.
- Mature service 0 +5
This service has been operational for 9 years. While this indicates stability, it is not a future-proof guarantee.
This service has been operational for 9 years. While this indicates stability, it is not a future-proof guarantee.
0 Privacy+5 Trust - Approved 0 +5
Passed limited recent checks and met our approval threshold. Read more about the listing statuses.
Passed limited recent checks and met our approval threshold. Read more about the listing statuses.
0 Privacy+5 Trust - Own infrastructure +1 +2
The service owns and operates its own physical servers. No cloud or datacenter provider sits between the service and its hardware.
The service owns and operates its own physical servers. No cloud or datacenter provider sits between the service and its hardware.
+1 Privacy+2 Trust - Defends against takedown requests 0 +2
The provider publicly documents that they evaluate takedown and abuse complaints (DMCA, hosting complaints, third-party requests) rather than automatically suspending affected accounts. Response varies by service: some investigate before acting, some ignore outright.
The provider publicly documents that they evaluate takedown and abuse complaints (DMCA, hosting complaints, third-party requests) rather than automatically suspending affected accounts. Response varies by service: some investigate before acting, some ignore outright.
0 Privacy+2 Trust - Legally registered 0 +2
Legally registered as Proton AG in Switzerland 🇨🇭.
Legally registered as Proton AG in Switzerland 🇨🇭.
0 Privacy+2 Trust - Partially open source code 0 +2
This service has some open-source code components. However, certain elements remain proprietary.
This service has some open-source code components. However, certain elements remain proprietary.
0 Privacy+2 Trust - JavaScript needed 0 0
The service requires the user to enable JavaScript in order to access and use its features.0 Privacy0 Trust - Mobile app available 0 0
The service has a mobile app available for download.
- Some countries are restricted 0 0
Offered services may not be available in some countries due to logistics, regulations or arbitrary decisions. Please check for any restrictions before use.
Offered services may not be available in some countries due to logistics, regulations or arbitrary decisions. Please check for any restrictions before use.
0 Privacy0 Trust - Base score +50 +50
Overall = 60% Privacy + 40% Trust (Truncated)
Terms of Service Review
Proton Mail is an end-to-end encrypted email provider based in Switzerland. It supports anonymous registration and accepts cryptocurrency, but logs email metadata and some temporary IP addresses.
Abuse & IP Logging
Permanent IP logs are not kept by default, but temporary IP logs may be maintained to combat abuse. IPs can be permanently retained if an account breaches the terms of service.
Inactive Account Deletion
Free accounts that remain inactive for a consecutive period of 12 months may be suspended, and all associated data may be permanently deleted.
Zero-Access Encryption
Email content is end-to-end encrypted or encrypted securely on disk, ensuring Proton cannot access, scan, or decrypt the bodies of your messages.
Swiss Jurisdiction
Proton only complies with legally binding data requests approved by Swiss authorities. It actively challenges requests that lack validity or if there is a public interest to do so.
Wholly Owned Infrastructure
Proton Mail servers and infrastructure are wholly owned and operated by Proton in Switzerland, Germany, and Norway, minimizing third-party access risks.
Metadata is Accessible
Proton has access to email metadata, including sender and recipient addresses, message subjects, incoming IP addresses, attachment names, and timestamps.
30-Day Refund Policy
Users can request a prorated refund for any unused portion of their initial subscription purchase within the first 30 days.
Reviewed from proton.me/legal/terms proton.me/legal/privacy
ToS reviews are AI-generated and should be used as a reference only.
Events
View all-
Verification update
Verification status changed from COMMUNITY_CONTRIBUTED to APPROVED
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Attribute added
Attribute "Own infrastructure" was added to Proton Mail
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Attribute removed
Attribute "Soft KYC" was removed from Proton Mail
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Attribute added
Attribute "Soft KYC" was added to Proton Mail
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Attribute added
Attribute "Defends against takedown requests" was added to Proton Mail
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Attribute added
Attribute "Identity-Free registration" was added to Proton Mail
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Attribute added
Attribute "Personal info is not verified" was added to Proton Mail
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Service updated
Service URLs updated from https://proton.me, https://proton.me/mail to https://proton.me/mail. Description was updated
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Attribute change
An attribute was removed (details unavailable)
Evidence and Review History
Passed limited recent checks and met our approval threshold.
- No review checks have been published yet
- Last review May 8
- Approved May 8
- Operating since May 16, 2016