Latest news with #Proton
Time of India
an hour ago
- Business
- Time of India
Why Proton says Apple is a "tool of dictatorships" in new lawsuit
Privacy company Proton has filed a bombshell federal lawsuit accusing Apple of becoming a "tool of dictatorships" through its iron grip on iPhone app distribution, claiming the tech giant systematically removes apps to appease authoritarian regimes worldwide. The Swiss firm's 73-page complaint, filed in California federal court June 30, reveals how Apple's App Store monopoly enables global censorship. According to the lawsuit, 66 of the world's 100 most popular apps are banned from Chinese iPhones, while all 240 tested VPN apps, critical tools for bypassing government censorship, are blocked from Chinese users. Proton claims Apple threatened to remove its own VPN app unless the company stopped advertising its ability to "unblock censored websites," forcing the privacy advocate to self-censor or lose access to millions of iOS users. The lawsuit is the latest challenge to Apple's tight control over the iPhone ecosystem The filing details Apple's pattern of removing apps at dictators' demands, including the 2019 removal of during Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests and dozens of VPN apps from Russia's App Store last year, precisely when Russian citizens needed these tools most to access independent media. "Apple's monopoly over iOS app distribution means it can enforce this perverse policy on all app developers, forcing them to also be complicit," Proton argues in court documents. The company serves over 100 million users across 180 countries with privacy-focused alternatives to Apple 's own services. Beyond censorship, Proton alleges Apple's 30% "arbitrary tax" on app payments props up "surveillance capitalism" by penalizing privacy-first subscription services while giving free passes to data-harvesting companies like Meta and Google that don't process App Store payments. The class-action lawsuit seeks to break Apple's stranglehold on iPhone app distribution and payment processing, demanding court orders allowing competing app stores on iOS. Proton pledged to donate any settlement money to democracy and human rights organizations. Apple has not responded to the allegations targeting its role in global digital authoritarianism. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC begins hearing on Proton Mail's appeal against proceedings to block it in India
The Centre on Tuesday informed a division bench of the Karnataka high court that proceedings under the Information Technology Act were on to block Proton Mail in India.A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice V Mameswar Rao and Justice S M Joshi heard a writ appeal by Proton Mail challenging the single-judge order to ban its services in Solicitor General Arvind Kamath informed the bench that the Centre had initiated proceedings under Section 69A IT Act, 2000. The proceeding was going on, but the mail service had not yet been blocked. A government committee will take the final call, he Manu Prabhakar Kulkarni, appearing for Proton, urged the court to direct the government not to 'precipitate' action against Proton Mail. He added that if the block order was passed, no one in India would be able to use the mail High Court had in April directed the Centre to take steps to block the Switzerland-based Proton Mail in India after security threats were flagged by an affected M Nagaprasanna passed the judgment on a petition from M Moser Design Associated India Pvt Ltd, seeking a direction to the Union Government to take such steps as are necessary to ban the use of Proton Mail in court issued the direction to the Centre to act under Section 69A of the IT Act, read with Rule 10 of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public).The petitioner had sought relief after unidentified miscreants sent vulgar, sexually coloured and obscene emails about its employees to its client as well as other employees, causing widespread reputational company informed the court that although his client had filed a police complaint to investigate the vulgar emails sent about its employee using Proton Mail, the law enforcement agencies were helpless, as Proton Mail had declined to share details of the senders of the judge had asked the Centre to block the offending URLs till such time steps were initiated to block the mail.
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Swiss privacy tech firm Proton sues Apple in US over app store rules
June 30 (Reuters) - Swiss privacy software company Proton on Monday sued Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab in U.S. federal court, accusing the technology giant of maintaining an illegal stranglehold on iPhone app distribution and charging excessive commissions to app developers. Proton, which provides the secure email service Proton Mail, filed the proposed class action, opens new tab in the federal court in Oakland, California, on behalf of app developers. The lawsuit said Apple was violating antitrust law by forcing developers to use its payment processing services and imposing a 30% commission on most transactions. A related class action was filed, opens new tab in May against Apple by the Korean Publishers Association and several other plaintiffs. Proton said it was building on that lawsuit, and was focused on winning a court order that would force Apple to allow competing app stores and payment processors on its iOS platform. In a statement, Proton said it sued Apple 'to set an important precedent that free people, not monopolies, will dictate the future of the internet.' Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Founded in 2014, Proton offers secure consumer-facing apps for email, calendars and other areas. The company now has more than 100 million user accounts, according to its lawsuit. Proton's lawsuit estimated there were millions of potential class members. Apple faces other antitrust lawsuits, including one filed by the U.S. Justice Department accusing the company of monopolizing the smartphone market. Apple has denied the claims and asked a judge to dismiss the case. The case is Proton AG v. Apple, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 4:25-cv-05450. For plaintiff: Sam Stake of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Michael Eisenkraft of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll For defendant: No appearance yet Read more: Apple must face consumer lawsuit over iCloud storage, US judge rules Apple loses bid to pause app store reform order in Epic Games case Google hit with US lawsuit by Korean publishers, app developer
India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
Proton takes Apple to court, claims App Store rules allegedly kill competition and innovation
Privacy-focused software company Proton has filed a lawsuit against Apple in a US federal court, accusing the tech giant of using its control over the App Store to stifle competition and innovation, according to a report by Reuters. Filed in Oakland, California, the proposed class action alleges that Apple has an illegal monopoly over how apps are distributed and monetised on iPhones. Proton, best known for its secure email service Proton Mail, reportedly said that Apple's strict rules and high commissions are hurting developers and consumers Swiss company claimed that Apple forces developers to use its payment system and takes a 30 per cent cut on most transactions. 'We sued Apple to set an important precedent that free people, not monopolies, will dictate the future of the internet,' Proton said in a statement posted in an official is not alone in taking Apple to court. Its case builds on a similar lawsuit filed in May by the Korean Publishers Association and other plaintiffs. While that case focused on broader antitrust concerns, Proton's suit aims to push the court to order Apple to allow competing app stores and alternative payment systems on its iOS platform. Apple has not yet responded to Proton's claims, and the company typically defends its App Store policies as a way to protect users and ensure app quality. However, its practices have drawn increasing scrutiny from regulators and developers in recent March, Apple was fined 500 million (around 5,007 crore) by EU antitrust regulators for restricting developers from telling users about cheaper alternatives outside the App Store. Under pressure from the EU's new Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple has since agreed to loosen some rules, at least in Apple now allows EU developers to include multiple links in their apps to direct users to external payment platforms. However, Apple still charges a fee ranging from 5 per cent to 15 per cent for such transactions, depending on the developer's size and service used. Developers who stick with Apple's in-app purchase system continue to pay up to 20 per cent, though smaller developers pay as little as 13 per these changes, critics say Apple's compliance with the DMA is only partial. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, which sued Apple in 2020, described the App Store changes in the EU as 'a mockery of fair competition.' Sweeney accused Apple of punishing developers who use third-party payment systems by limiting their app features and making the user experience April this year, a US judge ruled in favour of Epic, finding that Apple had wilfully violated a 2021 court order meant to open the App Store to more competition. The judge said Apple's insistence on charging a 27 per cent fee for external purchases was more about maintaining profits than protecting users. The case has now been referred to federal prosecutors to examine whether Apple's actions warrant criminal contempt. Apple has said it will appeal. - Ends
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Proton unveils all-new X50 with tech, safety and performance upgrades
KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd has pulled the wraps off its all-new Proton X50, a refreshed version of its best-selling sport utility vehicle (SUV), ahead of its official launch. Introduced in 2020, the X50 has recorded more than 134,000 units sold and has led the B-segment SUV category for five consecutive years, it said in a statement. The 2025 model brings redesigned styling, improved safety features, and a new infotainment system that includes Bahasa Melayu voice recognition, a first for the national carmaker. "The all-new Proton X50 will reinforce the brand's position while attracting a broad range of buyers, from small families to first-time owners and tech-savvy urban drivers," said Proton Edar Sdn Bhd deputy chief executive officer Zhang Qiang. Exterior updates include a new grille and bumper, rear spoiler, quad exhaust tailpipes and redesigned alloy wheels. The cabin has also been revamped with a floating floor console, column shifters, ambient lighting and a 14.6-inch infotainment screen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Under the hood, the SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged i-GT engine producing 133kW and 290Nm of torque. Proton claims a 0–100 km/h acceleration of 7.6 seconds and a 4.7 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency. Safety upgrades include Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems with features such as rear side radar, auto park assist and a 360-degree camera with undercarriage view. The new X50 will be offered in three variants, namely Executive, Premium and Flagship, with public previews and bookings set to begin in the coming weeks.
