Proton, a privacy firm based in Switzerland, has set its eyes on challenging the dominance of Google and Microsoft in cloud storage and document editing. Docs in Proton Drive is a new feature introduced recently by the firm. It is a new tool that offers real-time collaborative document editing focusing on user privacy.
Apps for Windows, macOS, and mobile devices are included in Proton Drive, which provides the safe storage, sharing, and synchronisation of files. Proton Drive was offered as a component of Proton’s larger ecosystem. This most recent addition to Docs intends to deliver a comprehensive set of productivity tools that emphasise user privacy.
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What features are available in Proton Drive Docs?
Proton Drive Docs will offer end-to-end encrypted, real-time collaborative document editing, among other capabilities. Collaborate, comment, upload photographs, and store files. Privacy stands apart. “Even keystrokes and cursor movements are encrypted, ensuring that user data remains confidential,” the business blogged.
This release comes after Proton recently bought Standard Notes, an encrypted note-taking app that has sped up the development of their work suite.
In a post on X, Proton stated Proton Docs will address growing data privacy and security issues in popular online document editing because it is “truly private and secure.”
Documents can be used by anyone, even those with free accounts, but only 2GB of storage is available, compared to Google’s 15 GB. While the limited storage space is a downside, users can take comfort that the company plans to make the Docs code public soon, allowing for independent security checks.
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Can Privacy-focused Docs Compete with Google Docs and Microsoft 365?
Proton’s new service is being marketed as a more secure alternative to other popular services to attract more customers. The Microsoft Sharepoint and Google Docs services might not be able to be replaced by a Doc service that is solely focused on protecting users’ privacy.
Google Docs had about 1 billion active monthly users in March 2023, Microsoft 365 had over 270 million people, and Proton had only 100 million. Although Proton Docs doesn’t have all of Google Docs’ features, it does provide a solid base for a private group editing experience. This helps it stay on track to become a serious player in the document space.