Proton Mail Suspended Journalist Accounts at Request of Cybersecurity Agency
7 months ago
- #Press Freedom
- #Cybersecurity
- #Digital Security
- Proton Mail, known for defending data freedom, disabled journalists' email accounts after a complaint from a cybersecurity agency, leading to public outcry before reinstatement.
- Journalists Saber and cyb0rg used a Proton Mail account for responsible disclosure of a North Korean APT hack in South Korean government systems, notifying agencies like KrCERT.
- Proton suspended the journalists' accounts citing 'potential policy violations' and refused to restore them during appeals, claiming misuse, despite no evidence of hacked data transmission.
- After a viral social media post by Phrack, Proton reinstated the accounts without explanation, raising concerns about transparency and impact on whistleblowers and journalists.
- The incident highlights risks for journalists relying on secure email services and calls for Proton to improve communication and avoid unwarranted account suspensions without clear evidence or court orders.