Skiff is snagged by Notion—privacy loss, another battle tossed?

Skiff, the secure email and document editing service, has announced that it will be shutting down following its acquisition by Notion. Skiff gained popularity for its privacy and security-focused approach, but now its accounts will stop working completely after a six-month sunset period. This move raises concerns about the state of privacy in the security software industry.

Sessions, an open-source encrypted messaging app, criticized Skiff for “selling out their users” and prioritizing investors over users. Other secure email providers, such as Tuta and ProtonMail, reassured Skiff users that they have no intention of stepping down from their mission to deliver better privacy online and explained how users can switch to their services.

Meredith Whittaker, the President of Signal, highlighted the importance of privacy apps being non-profit to protect privacy in an industry where money is generally tied to surveillance.

The acquisition of Skiff by Notion raises concerns about the future of privacy in the industry. Many Skiff users expressed their disappointment and concerns online, with some accusing Skiff of “taking the money and running.”

One of the main concerns with Notion’s acquisition of Skiff is that Notion is not an email provider, which means that Skiff’s end-to-end encrypted email app will no longer be available. This puts Skiff users at risk of losing their private data if they fail to switch to an alternative before the sunset period ends in August.

There are also concerns about Notion’s security and privacy practices. Some users commented that while Notion is a useful productivity tool, it is not a privacy tool. Notion’s privacy policy has been criticized for being invasive, collecting a large amount of information that could potentially reveal a user’s identity. Notion’s security practices, such as encryption, have also been questioned.

The acquisition of Skiff by Notion raises broader concerns about privacy in the security software industry and the balance between user privacy and business interests. The future of privacy in the industry remains uncertain.