Proton CEO Andy Yen gave a surprisingly sharp interview to the Swiss magazine "watson" (source in German: https://www.watson.ch/digital/wirtschaft/517198902-proton-schweiz-chef-andy-yen-zum-ausbau-der-staatlichen-ueberwachung). He warned that Proton might leave Switzerland if new surveillance laws are passed, which aligns with the company’s strong pro-privacy stance. So far, nothing unexpected.

However, Yen’s remarks about Swiss officials - describing them as lifelong bureaucrats, all lazy, and incompetent - came across as arrogant and out of place, almost like something you’d expect from a capitalism praising Trump supporter. he also was quoted in the interview, that the US works better (so they consider to move there?).

The interview left me speechless, and I’m certain I won’t be considering Proton for any of my future projects

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[–] falseprophet@fedia.io -1 points 4 days ago (7 children)

That is something totally different. Seriously I do not understand the problem. You should worry about the opposite, not being able to expression your opinion that leads to dictatorship. Being able to call them out for being lazy should not be something people should be afraid of.

[–] MountainVeil@slrpnk.net 6 points 4 days ago (6 children)

Trump has been going after the deep state and saying drain the swamp since 2015 or so. Really this just means eliminate the bureaucracy and replace it with loyalists and corporatists. Step 1 to that process is sowing doubt on the bureaucracy. I'm not saying that it should be illegal to criticize bureaucrats.

[–] falseprophet@fedia.io 0 points 4 days ago (5 children)

But that has nothing do with the comment Andy Yen made. The reason he probably he made this comment is because he frustrated with bureaucracy like many other people daily are. We need to be able to separate valid criticism from the madness that Trump is. Else this is going to turn into witch hunt where everyone who says or does something with minimal similarity to Trump is labeled a Trump loyalist.

[–] MountainVeil@slrpnk.net 6 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Well, he is speaking the same language. Paraphrasing, he says "they are bureaucrats who don't understand business," as if removing the bureaucrats will solve his problem. Throw in business owners instead of bureaucrats and you will have the same laws being proposed as soon as their profits are threatened. If he would have stopped speaking before that point, I would mostly agree with him. Switzerland has an advantage in privacy laws, and they are throwing it away. It's also worth noting that he is phrasing all of this in terms of revenue and expenses, as if he doesn't believe the fundamental right to privacy will make a strong argument to his audience. That is the real problem here, thinking we can just treat everything like a business.

[–] falseprophet@fedia.io 2 points 4 days ago (2 children)

I give up, personally I think he 100% right in what he is saying bureaucrats are the problem and should be removed not with loyalist but with compent people. seeing that people down vote me makes me sad and I fear people can't judge clearly anymore between valid government critism and what Trump is doing. But it is how it is. I will not continue this conversation. I hope this will not turn into a witch hunt but I am afraid now that it will.

[–] dan00@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago

Sorry to intervene in this conversation but I think the witch hunt started with some people calling others “aliens” or “peasants”.

If this is the level of discourse I need to hear, then my compromise with right wing is a rope. In my view, ANYONE who tangentially or accidentally aligns with the American regime can be hanged and stoned to death, and i will be there clapping. 👏

We can resume civil and democratic discussion after mr golden shower gets a short short haircut.

[–] MountainVeil@slrpnk.net 1 points 3 days ago

Downvotes are probably the worst feature of reddit-like platforms. I hope you at least consider what I've said, I think you're misconstruing my point. I don't want a witch hunt. I agree that bureaucracy can be hellish. But I would like to hear less cliché criticism of bureaucrats at large and more specific criticisms that are fair, have logical actions to take, and aren't slandering an entire profession. Is that broad painting of a whole profession not similar in spirit to a witch hunt? Anyway, have a good day.

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