Proton's new observatory reveals over 100 billion records breached - here's what you need to know

• Proton has unveiled the Data Breach Observatory, a new project to track and report on data leaks
• The tool monitors dark web marketplaces to find breaches, often before companies publicly disclose them
• The initiative extends Proton's mission to fight for online privacy and government transparency

In a significant move to enhance public awareness of online threats, Swiss privacy company Proton has launched its new Data Breach Observatory.

This publicly accessible database actively scours the dark web for leaked sensitive data, providing a near real-time look at the alarming scale of cybercrime, a scale that Proton’s research indicates has already seen over 100 billion records compromised in 2025 alone.

The new observatory is designed to tackle a fundamental problem in cybersecurity: the under-reporting of data breaches.

Many organizations are slow to report security incidents, if they do so at all, often for fear of reputational damage or regulatory penalties. Proton's initiative bypasses this issue by going directly to the source, monitoring the underground marketplaces where cybercriminals trade stolen credentials and personal information.

This project is an expansion of Proton's core mission to create a more private and secure internet. It builds on the work of its existing internet censorship observatory (Proton VPN Observatory), which tracks government-led blocks on internet access and VPN services.

Together, these tools provide a comprehensive view of the threats facing internet users today, from corporate data leaks to state-sponsored censorship, reinforcing Proton’s status as a key advocate for digital freedom.

Shining a light on the dark web

The Data Breach Observatory works in partnership with the risk detection firm Constella Intelligence – monitoring the dark web locations where stolen data is advertised and sold.

By keeping a close watch on these illicit exchanges, Proton aims to warn victims of a breach as early as possible, potentially even before the targeted organization is aware of the leak itself. The observatory lists recent breaches, the type of data exposed (such as names, passwords, and financial information), and the number of records affected.

According to Proton, the goal is not only to inform but also to educate the public about the true scope of cybercrime. By making this information freely available, the company hopes to make it more difficult for businesses to conceal security failures and to empower users with the knowledge they need to protect themselves. This commitment to "responsible disclosure" includes informing the affected organization before publishing the information.

This proactive approach is a vital public service in an era of rampant data breaches. By providing a clear, unfiltered view of the threat landscape, Proton is giving both individuals and businesses a powerful new tool in the fight to protect their digital identities.

How Proton VPN can secure your data

The launch of the Data Breach Observatory underscores the critical need for robust digital protection.

While the observatory can alert you after your data has been compromised, using a tool like one of the best VPN services is a crucial preventative measure. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, encrypts your internet connection, making it significantly harder for hackers to intercept your data, especially when you are using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

Proton VPN, the company's flagship security product, offers powerful end-to-end encryption that shields your online activity from prying eyes. Its Secure Core architecture routes your traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries, providing an extra layer of protection against sophisticated network attacks. By masking your IP address and encrypting your data, Proton VPN ensures that your digital footprint remains private, reducing the risk of your personal information ending up on the dark web marketplaces that the new observatory now monitors.

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