Proton Mail announced on August 13 that users can now connect their Gmail accounts to send and receive Gmail messages directly within the Proton Mail interface [1]. This integration allows users to check Gmail without using the Gmail app, reducing the data Google can collect about email opens, reads, and other activity [1, 2].
When Gmail accounts are linked, recent Gmail conversations appear immediately in Proton Mail, and new incoming Gmail messages are forwarded into Proton Mail from that point onward [1]. Proton Mail strips out trackers, ads, and spam from these Gmail emails to enhance privacy [1, 2]. Users managing Gmail through Proton Mail can also take advantage of end-to-end encryption, particularly when communicating with others who use Proton Mail; Proton stated that Google "will no longer be able to use your email activity, such as which emails you read and engage with, to build a profile about you," and that Gmail messages exchanged via Proton Mail become encrypted so Google can no longer read the data [1, 2].
Beyond messages, users can import attachments, calendars, contacts, and other Google data into Proton Mail using a tool called Easy Switch [2]. Proton encourages users to gradually transition logins from Gmail addresses to Proton Mail accounts and to eventually delete their Google accounts, aiming to place user data fully under Proton’s privacy protections [2].
Importantly, connecting Gmail to Proton Mail does not grant Google access to the Proton Mail inbox, ensuring Proton's privacy safeguards remain intact even when Gmail accounts are linked [2].
