The FBI had the payment data and served Proton with a subpoena, they had no choice but to tell which account it was for. The data is still encrypted, though.

[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 25 points 1 day ago (3 children)

The FBI did not serve the subpoena directly to Proton Mail.

"We want to first clarify that Proton did not provide any information to the FBI, the information was obtained from the Swiss justice department via MLAT," said Proton AG's head of communications, Edward Shone. "Proton only provides the limited information that we have when issued with a legally binding order from Swiss authorities, which can only happen after all Swiss legal checks are passed. This is an important distinction because Proton operates exclusively under Swiss law."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/privacy-focused-proton-mail-handed-protester-data-to-police/ar-AA1XH3R5

[–] sapetoku@sh.itjust.works 3 points 12 hours ago

ultimately, it's the choice to use a credit card that created the issue. As Proton's statement mentions, it also accepts payment by cryptocurrency and cash, which could be better ways to keep your information private if you absolutely need to.

[–] XLE@piefed.social 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Meanwhile, on Proton's homepage:

Highest standards of privacy

Proton is incorporated and headquartered in Switzerland, meaning your data is protected by some of the world's strictest privacy laws.

The standard for email privacy

From newsrooms, activists, and international organizations to academics, Nobel Prize winners, and movie characters, Proton Mail is the trusted choice for secure and private communication.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 11 hours ago

Find me another mail provider that's defies court orders and you'll find one that no longer exists.