If you’ve been dreaming about an end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Docs and Microsoft 365, your wish has just been granted. Swiss software developer Proton on Wednesday announced Docs in Proton Drive, which will offer an extra privacy feature no other collaborative online document editing product can match.
Proton Docs is the latest addition to Proton’s expanding list of apps and services. It’ll be available for free as part of the Proton Drive experience in your Proton account. A subscription will get you more storage space for Proton Drive and other premium features for other Proton apps available under the same account.
Proton developed Proton Drive after acquiring the encrypted notes app Standard Notes. Proton Docs will support markdown, rich text, code blocks, and checklists. It also supports image embeds, as well as multiple document formats, including Microsoft .docx files you might be used to from your Microsoft 365 subscription.
The online document editing tool will let you collaborate with others in real time. It’ll show collaborative cursors and presence in real time, and you can invite anyone to work on your documents. But people will need a free Proton account before getting access to the document. That’s because the entire experience is end-to-end encrypted.
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Proton says it encrypts everything, including keystrokes and cursor movements. Nobody can access your data, not even Proton or the authorities. You’ll store the files on servers in Switzerland that are governed by local laws.
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