Proton Meet: End-to-end encrypted video conferencing

Proton has introduced Meet, a video conferencing service that encrypts all conversations end-to-end. The service is aimed at business users who want to communicate confidentially without the provider or third parties being able to access content. Meetings can be started without an account via a link. In the free version, up to 50 people can participate for a maximum of one hour.

Proton is a Swiss provider of data protection-oriented online services. Its portfolio includes Proton Mail, VPN, Drive, and Pass, among others. According to its own statements, more than 100 million people and companies use the services.

With Meet, the company is responding to the data protection issues of common video conferencing solutions, according to its own statement. Providers such as Zoom, Google, and Microsoft can access metadata, chat histories, and conversation content, argues Proton. In addition, tech giants are increasingly using audio, video, and chat data for training AI models. Proton also cites the US CLOUD Act as a risk: it allows US authorities to access stored data – even if the servers are located outside the USA. This results in conflicts with the GDPR and similar data protection laws.

MLS as a cryptographic basis

Proton Meet encrypts audio, video, screen sharing, and chat messages end-to-end. Even Proton has no access to the content, according to the Proton blog. Messaging Layer Security (MLS) is used as the cryptographic protocol. This is an open standard for secure group communication that, according to Proton, has been independently audited. MLS automatically updates session keys when participants join an ongoing meeting, ensuring that previous content remains protected.

Features and prices

In addition to encrypted video and audio calls, the service offers screen sharing and an end-to-end encrypted chat. Participants can join via desktop or mobile device, and no login is required for either the host or the participants. Meetings can be scheduled in Proton Calendar, Google Calendar, and Microsoft Calendar. Users can also create appointments directly in Proton Calendar and add a Meet link with one click. Additionally, Proton offers a booking page through which third parties can reserve appointments in the calendar.

Free access allows meetings with up to 50 participants for a maximum of one hour. Those who need more can book the "Meet Professional" plan starting at $7.99 per user per month or use Proton Meet through the provider's Workspace packages.

(fo)