You open your inbox and it’s a freaking war zone.

• Spam emails.
• Sketchy “You’ve won!” messages.
• Newsletters you don’t remember signing up for.
• And let’s not forget those lovely “We’ve updated our privacy policy” emails that nobody actually reads.

If you’re nodding along, thinking “Yep, that’s my life,” then we need to talk about our email habits, specifically why you’re still clinging to Gmail.

The Gmail Trap

I get it. Gmail is everywhere. It’s easy. It’s… Google. What could go wrong?

A lot, actually.

Remember when you signed up for that crypto trading site? You know, the one where you’re stashing your hard-earned cash? What’s the first thing you did?

Yep, you punched in your Gmail address. After all, it’s your go-to for everything from social media to online shopping to social apps.

But here’s the million-dollar question: How much does Gmail actually protect your privacy?

Spoiler alert: They don’t. Not really.

Every email you send, every password reset link, every confidential document you share — it’s all fair game.

And Google isn’t just hoarding this stuff for funsies. They’re reading it. Okay, maybe not some guy named Bob at Google HQ, but their algorithms sure are.

You’re the target, my friend. That “free” Gmail account? You’re paying for it with your privacy.

The Encryption Joke

Now, Google will tell you they use encryption.

Yeah… well…

Here’s where things get absurd. The encryption Google uses is like handing someone a lock and saying, “Don’t worry, we’ve got a spare key. You know, just in case we need to take a peek.”

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not have Google (or anyone else) able to read my emails like they’re tabloid headlines.

Growing Competition

After one too many phishing attempts and realizing Google was selling my data like Halloween candy, I decided to make a switch.

That was years ago.

I went to Apple Mail since I already exclusively use Apple products at this point. And while iCloud and Apple Mail are leaps and bounds ahead of Google in terms of privacy and security. There still not the gold standard. Not even close.

For this, we have to look to Switzerland. More specifically, to ProtonMail.

Think of ProtonMail as Gmail’s privacy-obsessed Swiss cousin.

Unlike Google, ProtonMail isn’t in the business of snooping through your personal stuff.

When they say their encryption is “end-to-end,” they mean end-to-end. Once you hit send, that message turns into something so scrambled, even ProtonMail can’t read it.

ProtonMail is based in Switzerland, the country famous for its privacy laws, maybe only rivaled by neighbor Germany.

Translation: Not even the U.S. government can strong-arm them into handing over data.

Meanwhile, Google? They’d roll over faster than a dog hearing the word “treat.”

Why ProtonMail

Let’s break this down. Why exactly is ProtonMail the better choice?

1. No ads. No tracking. No BS.
   ProtonMail doesn’t sell your data to third parties like Gmail does. They’re not profiling you or quietly watching from the corner every time you open an email from your ex.
2. Real encryption.
   This isn’t Google’s half-baked encryption. With ProtonMail, your messages stay unreadable until they hit the recipient’s inbox. You can even set your emails to self-destruct after a certain time – which, after using Gmail, I totally get.
3. Privacy laws with actual teeth.
   Switzerland doesn’t play around when it comes to privacy. They’re not part of that sketchy Five Eyes surveillance alliance (US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada). While Google happily hands over your emails to Uncle Sam, ProtonMail tells the whole operation to take a hike.
4. No more “Oops, we accidentally read your emails” nonsense.
   Google’s been caught multiple times harvesting user emails for “security purposes” or to “improve their services.” Um, excuse me? That’s not what I signed up for.
5. Actual peace of mind.
   Ever feel like someone’s watching you type? With Gmail, they are. ProtonMail ensures your personal stuff stays personal. No more data mining, no more creepy email-based targeted ads.

The Price of Privacy (Spoiler: It’s Worth It)

Yes, nothing worthwhile comes free. At least online.

Unlike Gmail, ProtonMail isn’t completely “free”.

You can stick with their free plan if you’re cool with minimal storage (we’re talking 1GB).

But their paid plans? Totally worth it.

They include all the email. features you need, plus a secure drive, calendar, password manager, and VPN. That’s a heck of a suite.

For just a few bucks a month, you get more storage, more features, and the warm fuzzy feeling of supporting a company that actually gives a damn about privacy.

Time to Make the Switch

Using Gmail is like walking through a crowd of hackers, government agencies, and advertisers with a “kick me” sign on your back. The risk just isn’t worth it anymore.

Your email is your digital identity, whether you’re using it for work, finance, social apps, or just sending memes to your friends. It deserves better protection.

ProtonMail is a great alternative. Apple Mail is a solid choice as well, and there are many others on the market that offer much more safety and privacy than Gmail.

Time to make the switch.