Without using Gmail, Huawei users may need to use ProtonMail as the default email client

ProtonMail is in talks with Huawei Technologies Co. about integrating its encrypted email service into the future of Chinese electronics firms – this is part of Huawei’s plan to develop an ecosystem to replace its ecosystem. Google.

The company’s email service from Switzerland may be pre-installed in Huawei mobile devices in the future, or provided to users through Huawei’s app store – AppGallery – according to Andy. Yen, CEO of ProtonMail. However, the company has yet to make a final decision to provide services to Huawei.

Huawei may lose its rights to use Google programs after being blacklisted by the U.S., forcing U.S. companies to obtain a special license if they want to trade with the Chinese company. These restrictive policies also affect updates to the Google Android operating system, which is being installed on every smartphone that Huawei sells in foreign markets, and without ANdroid, Huawei will not be able to provide give users essential applications like Gmail. As a result, Huawei must race to build its own mobile operating system, HarmonyOS, and call on developers to bring their services to Huawei’s app store.

” They see us as an alternative service for Google in case they can no longer use Google” – Yen said.

ProtonMail is currently available on Google’s Play Store, and joining Huawei’s app store will help ensure Swiss-Swiss customers have access to the app even when Google is blocked.

Representatives from Huawei and Google have yet to comment on the incident.

ProtonMail interface

Switzerland neutral

Despite all efforts to develop its own solutions, Huawei’s overseas smartphone sales are likely to drop by half in the next 12 months if users are unable to use Google Maps or services. other of Google.

Yen said that while his company wants to remain neutral on any political issue, the deciding factor in working with Huawei is to ensure the security and privacy of its users. ProtonMail service.

The partnership with Huawei will be open for ProtonMail services to reach a wider audience, but ” we need to consider this in addition to other business risks, especially in China, because you never really know who you are working for “- Yen said.

ProtonMail’s talks with Huawei are just a small case in a much larger trend that is taking place among Chinese suppliers – companies that are beginning to find alternatives to U.S. technology in the context of tensions. US – China trade is on the rise.

” This is a business opportunity for Europe in general to provide a viable alternative to American technology and to compete,” Yen said.

The ProtonMail service, headquartered in Geneva, now offers two-head encrypted email service to 17 million global users. The company stores data at its own data centers, including a center located in a heavily guarded bunker located less than 1,000 meters of granite. The company was founded in 2014 when the founders were still studying at CERN, the EU’s nuclear research organization.

Reference: Bloomberg