Proton, known for its privacy-focused tools such as VPN and secure email, has launched a new product called Proton Sheets, a browser-based spreadsheet application designed with user privacy in mind. This innovation supplements Proton’s existing suite of tools, including the recently introduced word processor, Proton Docs.
The core intention behind Proton Sheets is to provide an alternative to traditional spreadsheet software typically offered by tech giants that capitalize on user data. As AI integration becomes more prevalent in these platforms, the concerns regarding data privacy and security have sharply increased. According to Anant Vijay Singh, head of product at Proton Drive, every interaction with these tools could potentially contribute to AI training databases.
Proton Sheets emphasizes strong encryption practices, ensuring that user data—ranging from personal information to document metadata—remains inaccessible even to Proton itself. The tool competes with existing options like LibreOffice and Google Sheets by offering a robust feature set without sacrificing privacy for usability. It supports receiving CSV and XLS files (which are encrypted upon upload), includes standard formulas and data visualization tools like charts and graphs, and facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing users to control who can view or edit their documents.
Although accessing Proton Sheets requires an internet connection, it is compatible with various operating systems and web browsers, making it accessible to a wide audience. Users need to create a free Proton account, which provides access to 2GB of cloud storage to utilize the service. As access to Sheets is currently in the rollout phase, users may not see the feature immediately but can expect it to become available over the month.
For those interested in trying out this new spreadsheet tool, it’s available through any modern web browser or within the Proton Drive app for both Windows and macOS.
Proton Sheets: Proton Sheets