Decoder with Nilay Patel · Thursday, July 16, 2026
Proton complied with a Swiss government request for payment data to aid the FBI in identifying a protester linked to the Stop Cop City movement. CTO Bart Butler confirmed the company provided the data, which was then passed to the FBI, raising questions about how the US government uses 'terrorism' designations to pressure companies like Proton.
“Earlier this year, the Swiss government came knocking on Proton's door with a request for payment data to help the FBI unmask a protester associated with the Stop Cop City movement in Atlanta, Georgia.”
“Proton complied. They gave the Swiss government that data, which then went to the FBI.”
“So of course I had to ask Bart about all that and what it means that the US government can use words like terrorism to co-opt foreign governments to apply pressure on Proton.”