HongKong

ProtonVPN to donate 50% of revenue to ‘defend democracy and freedom’ in Hong Kong


One of the internet’s highest-rated VPN services is aiming to raise HK$1,000,000 (US$130,000) to support the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

ProtonVPN announced Tuesday that 50% of revenue from Hong Kong in July and August will go towards 612 Humanitarian Relief, a fund that provides counseling and legal advice for protesters, and Stand with Hong Kong, a group that conducts international advocacy work.

“At Proton, we believe in freedom and democracy for all citizens of the world, and we have long been supporting the activist community in Hong Kong,” the Switzerland-based company, said in a statement.

ProtonVPN will #StandwithHK. In July and August, we’re donating 50% of our Hong Kong revenue to organizations fighting…

Posted by ProtonVPN on Tuesday, July 21, 2020

.
All contributions to ProtonVPN’s donations page made in July and August will also go towards the two organizations.

ProtonVPN is run by the same team that operates ProtonMail, an end-to-end encrypted email service often used by journalists conducting sensitive reporting.

Since the pro-democracy movement began last summer, Hong Kong protesters concerned about internet privacy have taken to downloading VPNs for an extra layer of security. On popular forum LIHKG, netizens regularly compare VPN services and discuss their pros and cons.

Interest in VPN surged after Beijing announced in late May that it would pass a national security law. The next day, the company said ProtonVPN had jumped to the third-most downloaded app in the Apple App Store in Hong Kong and that website traffic had grown by 1,000%.

“Today we are standing in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong after the Chinese government announced a new security law designed to stifle free speech and peaceful protest,” Proton wrote in the May 22 statement.

In the announcement published yesterday, the company said the law “clears the way for China to impose the same iron-fist tactics it deploys on the mainland,” adding that “these are dark days” for the city.

ProtonVPN’s high-key display of support for the Hong Kong movement stands in contrast to many companies who have stayed silent on the subject, perhaps in fear of retaliation from Beijing authorities.

Since the passing of the national security law last month, internet giants including Google, Facebook and Twitter have put a hold on requests for user data from Hong Kong authorities. The companies cite uncertainty about how the law will enforced, but have not echoed support for the protests—or condemnation of Beijing—in the way ProtonVPN has.

Like what you’re reading? Support Coconuts by becoming a COCO+ Member or making a Patron payment today.





READ SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.