- Proton has launched its own E2EE spreadsheet software
- Half of European businesses still rely on cloud-based spreadsheets
- Other improvements to Proton Drive, Pass, VPN and Lumo will also arrive
Following the launch of Proton Docs last year, privacy-first Swiss cloud productivity company Proton announced the launch of Sheets, its end-to-end encrypted spreadsheet software.
As expected from the company, Proton emphasized that no one (not even itself) can access the contents of the spreadsheet, making it perfect for secure budgeting and data tracking for both individuals and businesses.
The not-so-insignificant launch comes at a time when cloud-based spreadsheets continue to be used in the workplace, with more than half (54%) of European businesses relying on them for their operations, CRM and data analysis.
Proton Sheets joins Docs in the Workspace suite
The timing is also of great importance: the main hyperscale rivals have their own alternatives, but concerns have been raised about the integration of AI and the subsequent security of their data. Especially when spreadsheets can contain some of a company’s most sensitive data.
When the company launched Docs in July 2024, it highlighted massive data collection from other apps like Google Docs, the risk of data breaches associated with a lack of end-to-end encryption, weak privacy laws that allow “mass surveillance,” and third-party access for “warrantless surveillance.” These principles also apply to Sheets.
Proton Sheets is free to use for all Proton Drive account holders and, because it is built under Swiss privacy laws, offers stronger legal protection than US data frameworks.
Even metadata, such as file names, is encrypted, not just the contents of spreadsheets.
Despite differentiating itself with its improved encryption, it still supports import and export via CSV and XLS.
But that’s not all, because Proton is making more improvements to its Workspace suit and other apps to steer businesses and consumers away from big tech.
Duo and Family plans will soon include one shared drive each for centralizing documents, and Business plans will be configured to get “multiple” shared drives. Its Drive apps are also being rebuilt around a new SDK for better performance, including faster uploads and downloads.
Other improvements coming to Proton’s suite of apps include image generation for Lumo, the AI chatbot; updated autofill for Proton Pass; and five more countries with free servers for Proton VPN (Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, Norway and Singapore), bringing the total to 10.
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