Infomaniak comes out in support of controversial Swiss encryption law

Summary

In Switzerland, some of the best VPNs are in the firing line as a result of the country's proposed changes to encryption laws.The law's revision would extend surveillance obligations and require companies to collect information and identification on their users – a move that would significantly impact online privacy.Swiss-based VPNs Proton VPN and NymVPN would be affected, and Proton CEO Andy Yen said the privacy-focused company would rather leave its Swiss base than risk the privacy of its users.The most private VPNs uphold strict no-logs policies and collect very little information about users. This law would see these policies undermined.Despite widespread opposition from across the country, Swiss cloud security company Infomaniak is supporting the law.Infomaniak describes itself as an "ethical cloud" company and one that doesn't compromise on "ecology, privacy, or people." It's surprising, then, that they are seemingly the only privacy-focused company in Switzerland supporting the law change.Infomaniak opposes anonymityIn a debate on Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), and reported in Clubic, Infomaniak spokesperson Thomas Jacobsen addressed Andy Yen's comments on the law.Jacobsen believed Yen showed a "lack of knowledge of Swiss political institutions" and called for finding the right balance, not looking for extremes.Infomaniak argued that anonymity prevents justice, saying there must be a "happy medium" to prevent the digital landscape becoming a "Wild West."Proton was cited as a company that advocates for anonymity, but this isn't technically the case. Proton, and Proton VPN, advocates for privacy – and there is a subtle but important difference between the two.Confusing privacy and anonymity is common – a Tom's Guide VPN survey found that 29% of readers think VPNs make you anonymous – but they don't mean the same thing. Anonymity is when your identity isn't known and no trace of your activity is left behind, with the Tor Network being an example.(Image credit: u...