A linux based OS designed for privacy and ease of use for non tech-savy people would be great. The lacking user-friendliness to the ordinary user, which is the vast majority of users, is one of the main things holding linux back as a viable alternative to Windows and iOS for the masses. I would LOVE some kind of ProtonOS. I'd pay for it.

Concept: Proton OS — A Privacy-First Linux-Based Operating System

I know the idea of Proton making a Linux distro might sound unoriginal or “old news” to some, but creating a distro from scratch is a huge undertaking and would be much harder than building on top of a solid Linux foundation. With Proton’s expertise and ecosystem, a Linux-based Proton OS could still be a powerful and practical solution.

Core components:

Linux Kernel: Reliable and secure foundation with open-source transparency.

GNOME Desktop Environment: Clean, modern, user-friendly UI aligned with Proton’s design ethos.

Open-Source Drivers: Use AMD open-source drivers and others to ensure auditability and hardware compatibility.

File Management: Integrate Nemo or a similar open-source file manager with built-in encryption and privacy features.

System Libraries & APIs: Leverage widely used open-source libraries like GLib, GTK, OpenSSL/libsodium for security and app development.

Software Management: Use GNOME Software Manager for secure package installation and updates with cryptographic verification.

Security Layer: Built-in Proton-developed mandatory access controls, sandboxing, and seamless disk encryption.

Networking Stack: Deep integration of Proton VPN for secure, always-on privacy.

System Utilities: Bundle Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive, and other Proton services as core apps to provide a cohesive, privacy-first experience.

Key features:

End-to-end encryption everywhere, by default.

Zero telemetry and no data sharing without explicit user consent.

Fully open-source components to ensure transparency and trust.

User-friendly privacy controls suitable for all users, not just experts.

Resistance to hardware backdoors and support for trusted hardware modules.

Strong app sandboxing and ability to run only verified software.

This would be a powerful, practical OS for users who want privacy without sacrificing usability. I’d love to see Proton explore this path — it could be a game-changer in the privacy space.

Thanks for all you do!

Actually this is a really good idea. Can someone make a concept of this?

Valve has had great success in basing SteamOS on Arch Linux. Proton could do something similar. Fork Arch, brand it ProtonOS, and integrate Proton services.

If it used KDE plasma, I would use it

Thank you Arck

Proton OS will definitely revolutionize the market, we need a user friendly and modern UI like windows and also techy enough as Linux with complete privacy and security. Proton should join forces with other privacy oriented teams and work on this in long term.

Creating entire OS is a very difficult and time consuming project requiring many IT specialists. Look even at Windows, how many thousands of people has been creating it? And look at the results. Or look at Linux literally millions of people every day spend hours on maintaining distros and how many of them are decent? 4 maybe. If you want secure system try not to invent new one (which would take you years) but try securing os you already have. Even Windows can be pretty secure (not counting horrible UI and Microsoft sucking all the information about user it can).
And remember: it's a myth that linux is only for advanced users. Try Linux Mint or even Ubuntu, they are very user friendly (In Linux Mint you don't even have to open terminal).

I give you 3 votes and make a new and bigger thread about this! Thanks d4rtnu11

A loightwight OS similar to chomre OS but using prton services instead of Google, capable of routing all the traffic though ProtonVPN, much like Tails does with TOR was something I was going to suggest myself. Take 3 of my votes Sir!

A private competitor based off of ChromeOS seems like it would be attainable. For most people a Chromebook with quality hardware is plenty sufficient, but being locked into the Google ecosystem, Google accounts, etc. is a dealbreaker.

Windows has always been a 'mess' but most of us have to put up with it because Linux is too difficult for us non IT people.

How about a good Operating System made for individuals that doesn't need all the complexity of Windows.

Instead of a new version every few years, update constantly like you do ProtonMail. Put the cost on a subscription system, maybe monthly if possible, or yearly if necessary.

Would be an encrypted security type of OS. be available for Android, win, Linux, apple, IOS. would have many networking and security tools. In a pro ver. And a social ver. Which could express how the email and messenger are secure with encryption and also a good encrypted file share program and why stop there might as well build a social network like a Facebook type but way more secure.

based on OpenBSD or HardenedBSD... would be excellent to use!

I would pay ~$500USD for a Proton OS! A properly secured operating system could be quite a game-changer. Imagine your computer with no spyware, freedom to control your machine and the programs running on it. The world of computers would be many times better.

Eso no lo financiaría nadie, creo. Hoy día las empresas y otros organismos quieren a lo datos personales tanto o más que el dinero ya que asi pueden hacer producir a sus propios consumidores.

You a re kidding, right?

Try kali

Inkludes all the security of Proton and a VirtualBox

Proton OS!