The privacy and security focused anonymous email service ProtonMail has turned over the IP address and browser fingerprint upon a legally binding order from the Swiss Federal Department of Justice. ProtonMail could not appeal the order, which related to handing over information of a French climate activist group, as it was issued by the Swiss authority and the conduct of the user was contrary to Swiss law.

It has garnered widespread criticism, as in its privacy policy ProtonMail stated that: 'By default, we do not keep any IP logs which can be linked to your anonymous email account. Your privacy comes first.'

Since the news broke, ProtonMail has changed their privacy policy stating that they do not log IP addresses of users by default. They also now suggest using TOR for anonymous communication, a browser that does not log IP addresses of users.