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# System prepended metadata

title: 'Switzerland’s Sustainable, Privacy-First Cloud Solutions'

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![infomaniak-banner](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/SyFWZgYYge.png)

# Introduction
Founded in 1994 and based in Geneva, Infomaniak is an independent, employee-owned Swiss tech company. It has become Switzerland’s largest cloud service provider, aiming to foster “technological independence in Europe” without compromising on ecology or privacy. All of Infomaniak’s data centers and software are hosted and developed in Switzerland, which means user data is protected under Swiss law (nFADP) and the EU’s GDPR. Infomaniak is also noted for its green policies: its custom data centers recycle 100% of waste heat to warm homes, run on renewable power (60% hydro, 40% solar), and the company offsets 200% of its carbon emissions. These sustainability efforts are independently audited (ISO 14001 certified). Together, Swiss-based infrastructure, strict privacy rules and strong environmental credentials underpin Infomaniak’s reputation for reliability and trust in Europe.

# Data Security and Privacy Practices
Infomaniak leverages its Swiss/EU base to offer strong legal guarantees. The company is fully compliant with GDPR and the new Swiss Data Protection Act, and emphasizes that user data never leaves its Swiss cloud. Experts note that even if a U.S. or Chinese company builds European data centers, foreign laws (e.g. the U.S. CLOUD Act) can still apply. By contrast, Infomaniak’s Swiss ownership means there is no extraterritorial jurisdiction over its data. In its privacy policy, Infomaniak explicitly promises “we never share your personal data with third parties without a valid reason”. The company does not scan or monetize user files or emails for advertising; indeed, its free email plan is entirely ad-free and 100% Swiss-hosted.

Technically, Infomaniak applies strong security controls. All connections use SSL/TLS encryption, and stored data is encrypted at rest. For example, kDrive’s cloud storage encrypts files with AES-128 (CBC mode) using a unique key per user space. Its Tier III+ Swiss data centers store multiple redundant backups of every file. For communications, Infomaniak has introduced built-in email encryption based on OpenPGP, ECC and AES-256-GCM standards, all handled on Swiss servers. Videoconferencing (kMeet) is end-to-end encrypted by default on supported browsers and apps. Internally, Infomaniak uses open-source software or in-house code for critical systems, reducing hidden backdoors. It also maintains ISO 27001 security certification and a public bug-bounty program. In short, Infomaniak describes security as “at the heart of our business,” with no compromise on privacy.

# Products and Services
## kDrive (Cloud Storage):
A Swiss-hosted file-sync and sharing service. kDrive encrypts data in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-128). Files are stored exclusively in Infomaniak’s Swiss data centers with triple redundancy. kDrive offers automatic backups, file versioning and collaborative editing (using ONLYOFFICE) similar to Google Drive or OneDrive, but under Infomaniak’s privacy-first model. Users can share folders or public links securely. Unlike many US cloud providers, kDrive never scans files for advertising and keeps all metadata under Swiss control.

## Infomaniak Mail (Email Hosting): 
A professional email solution with strong security. Free personal accounts include 20 GB of storage and are ad-free (unlike free Gmail or Outlook). Infomaniak’s mail servers use state-of-the-art filters: malware, spam and phishing protections automatically quarantine or delete threats. All outgoing and incoming messages are authenticated by SPF, DKIM and DMARC protocols to prevent spoofing. Infomaniak never reads or mines email content, and offers one-click end-to-end encryption (OpenPGP) for sending sensitive mail. The service syncs mail, calendars and contacts via IMAP/CalDAV and works with any client.

## kMeet (Video Conferencing):
A free, unlimited HD video meeting platform. kMeet provides encrypted audio/video calls and screen sharing. By default, calls are end-to-end encrypted on updated browsers and the dedicated apps. Meetings route only through Infomaniak’s Swiss servers, and hosts can set passwords or waiting-room lobbies for extra control. Features include multi-person video, voice, text chat (with emojis), virtual whiteboard drawing, and custom virtual backgrounds. Users can record meetings directly into kDrive for secure archiving. Compared to Zoom or Teams, kMeet imposes no time limits or participant caps on free calls, and emphasizes privacy (“you are not the product”).

## kChat (Team Messaging):
A secure Slack-like messenger for teams. kChat unifies direct messages, group channels (public or private), file sharing and audio/video calls in one app. All chats and files are encrypted and stored in Switzerland. Access to workspaces is tied to company accounts (no anonymous rooms), reducing phishing risk. Two-factor login is optional for extra protection, and each organization’s data is isolated with a unique server-side key. Notably, kChat includes a built-in “sovereign AI” assistant (Swiss-hosted) for features like smart search and message drafting, without sending data to external AI services. The backend is based on open-source Mattermost, but Infomaniak develops its own secure architecture. Crucially, Infomaniak’s collaboration suite (including kChat) does not analyse user data and is ISO-certified for security and privacy.

## kSuite (Integrated Suite):
An all-in-one bundle for productivity. kSuite combines Infomaniak Mail, kDrive, kChat, kMeet (and additional tools like SwissTransfer and online office apps) into one coherent platform. A free “my kSuite” plan gives individuals 20 GB email + 15 GB cloud storage. The paid kSuite PRO plan (for businesses) offers unlimited email storage, up to 6 TB of cloud storage per user, and all advanced AI features. Pricing is competitive (about CHF 1.76/user/month) for a full secure suite. Since everything is managed together, organizations get unified administration and mobile sync. Importantly, kSuite is a “100% Swiss Cloud” solution, all data is protected under Swiss law and GDPR. This makes it a turnkey alternative to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for companies seeking European data sovereignty.

# Why Choose Infomaniak over Google or Microsoft?
## Data Privacy & No Ads:
Infomaniak never harvests or sells user data. Its services are ad-free by default. In contrast, Google and Microsoft collect metadata (and sometimes content) from free services to target ads or analytics. Switching to Infomaniak means email, files and chats won’t be scanned for marketing.

## Local Jurisdiction & Sovereignty:
With Infomaniak, all infrastructure is European/Swiss. External laws (e.g. US surveillance laws) do not apply. As cybersecurity experts warn, even US/Chinese tech giants opening European data centers cannot avoid foreign legal reach. Using Infomaniak ensures data stays under GDPR and Swiss privacy laws.

## Transparency & Security:
Infomaniak is independent and open about its practices. Its code is open-source-based, and it provides bug bounties and third-party audits. By contrast, proprietary platforms are black-box and often subject to opaque policies. Infomaniak’s explicit policies (“we don’t analyse data”) give users peace of mind.

## Cost & Control (No Vendor Lock-in):
Major cloud providers often entice customers at low entry prices but introduce hidden fees or lock-in later. An expert notes that once “captured” by a big cloud, changing providers can be prohibitively expensive. Infomaniak’s straightforward pricing (e.g. fixed-per-user suite pricing) avoids surprise costs. Moreover, Infomaniak offers migration tools, and its services are interoperable (e.g. kDrive can integrate with Microsoft Office Online) to ease transitions.

## Ethical & Environmental Benefits:
Choosing Infomaniak also supports a greener, locally-rooted cloud. The company reinvests in Swiss tech infrastructure and won’t abruptly change terms or priorities. For European users and organizations, this means aligning with political goals of digital sovereignty and sustainable ICT.

# Conclusion and Professional Assessment
Infomaniak has carved out a niche as a privacy- and security-focused European cloud. It already serves millions of users (around 3 million as of 2025) and is “renowned for its quality all over Europe”. The platform is particularly well suited to privacy-conscious individuals, small/medium businesses and public-sector institutions (health, finance, legal, etc.) that need GDPR-level protection. For these users, the long-term benefits of switching to Infomaniak include stronger data control, fewer legal headaches, and contributing to a sustainable tech ecosystem. Given the growing emphasis on digital sovereignty, Infomaniak’s clear security model and eco-friendly stance position it favorably for future growth. In summary, for any user or organization valuing security, independence, and ethical practice, Infomaniak offers a compelling and reliable alternative to the big U.S. cloud providers.

# Source
Infomaniak’s official site and technical/legal pages, Infomaniak press releases and blog, and related technology publications.