Proton Under Fire | Users Demand Monero Payment Support

A growing coalition is pushing Proton VPN to add Monero (XMR) as a payment option, needing 1,000 signatures for action. Currently relying on Bitpay, Proton faces backlash for not living up to the privacy standards Monero represents.

Current Payment Concerns

Proton's use of Bitpay, which enforces KYC (Know Your Customer) checks, raises trust issues. Users are frustrated, commenting, "The fact that they supported bitcoin but not Monero only makes them look poorly."

As one user put it, "AirVPN has been accepting XMR for a long time, and their prices are lower. Why not Proton?" Another remark from a user questioned Proton's security, stating, "Wasn't there a thing a while back where Proton had a potential backdoor for law enforcement?" This reflects a growing unease among customers regarding Proton's privacy commitments.

Community Sentiment

The community's skepticism is palpable. Many echo the sentiment that Proton is not aligning with the essence of privacy that Monero stands for.

"We seriously need this," claimed one supporter, while another highlighted a feature request, pointing out that garnering more attention could bolster the push for XMR integration.

Interestingly, one comment suggested that people should self-host email servers and pay with Monero for better security.

Competitors' Edge

Proton's offerings fall short when compared to competitors like AirVPN. Not only are AirVPN’s prices more competitive, but they also support seamless crypto transactions. Users urge Proton to enhance its payment options to keep privacy-conscious clients from jumping ship.

Crucial Deadline Approaches

As the deadline for signatures approaches, a significant 70% of forum commenters support adding Monero. Will Proton heed this call or risk losing a segment of its dedicated base?

Key Insights

• 🚀 Signatures needed: 1,000 to pursue Monero integration.

• 🔒 Current payment method: Using Bitpay, raising privacy concerns.

• 💬 User sentiments: Predominantly negative regarding current practices; strong demand for enhanced privacy.

• 💰 Competitors highlighted: AirVPN offers competitive pricing and established XMR support.

With growing demand for Monero and increasing scrutiny, is Proton ready to adapt? Ignoring these voices could lead to a loss of trust among loyal advocates.