Security-conscious readers are likely familiar with the data breach alert site Have I Been Pwned. However, a new website from Proton aims to provide alerts at an earlier stage, offering what the company describes as near real-time reporting.
### Introducing Proton’s Data Breach Observatory
The team behind ProtonMail has launched the Data Breach Observatory to address a critical issue: it can often take too long to discover when personal data has been made available for sale on the dark web. Despite existing laws, relying on large companies to disclose data breaches and compromised personal data is often unreliable. Many organizations delay revealing breaches for weeks or even months.
This delay is exactly why websites like Have I Been Pwned exist — they aim to notify individuals about stolen data as soon as there is a reasonable basis to believe a breach has occurred. However, Have I Been Pwned takes a cautious approach to avoid false alarms triggered by hoax claims from attackers.
### How Have I Been Pwned Validates Breaches
To ensure breach legitimacy, Have I Been Pwned typically performs several validation steps, such as:
– Checking if the affected service has publicly acknowledged the breach.
– Searching Google to determine if the breach data is simply copied from another source.
– Verifying whether the data’s structure matches what is expected in a genuine breach.
– Assessing whether attackers provide credible evidence demonstrating the attack vector.
– Reviewing the attackers’ history for a pattern of either reliably releasing breaches or falsifying them.
### Proton’s More Aggressive Approach
In contrast, Proton’s Data Breach Observatory takes a more proactive stance by reporting personal data as soon as it is offered for sale on the dark web, according to Engadget. Proton monitors the dark web directly, tracking locations where data thieves advertise stolen information.
By observing these exchanges, Proton aims to warn potential victims as early as possible — sometimes even before the targeted organizations themselves become aware of the leak. Beyond individual alerts, the Observatory is designed to raise public awareness about the scale of cybercrime and to increase accountability, making it harder for companies to hide data breaches.
### Near Real-Time Updates and Collaboration
Proton plans to update the Observatory close to real-time, thanks to a partnership with risk detection firm Constella Intelligence. Although the website currently appears to be available only in German, an English version is expected soon.
### Our Take: More Choice Is Better
Offering multiple data breach alert options gives users greater choice. While Proton’s more aggressive reporting may produce some false positives, it has the advantage of providing earlier warnings for genuine breaches.
Though hackers sometimes make hoax claims for notoriety, when they actually offer stolen data for sale, these cases are more likely to be authentic. Users who want to stay ahead of potential risks may find Proton’s Data Breach Observatory a valuable addition to their security toolkit.
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https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/30/proton-data-breach-observatory-reports-as-soon-as-your-personal-data-hits-the-dark-web/