Andrew Frost on the future of privacy and Cyprus’ tech potential

Andrew Frost Moroz, founder of Aloha Browser, is a seasoned innovator with over two decades of experience in mobile technology.

Known for his strong advocacy for digital privacy and user-centric design, Andrew has successfully positioned Aloha Browser as a leading choice for users seeking simple yet effective privacy solutions.

In this exclusive interview with the Cyprus Mail, Moroz shares insights into his journey, his decision to base Aloha in Cyprus, and the island nation’s growing prominence as a tech and privacy hub.

From the challenges of establishing a tech company to Cyprus’ unique advantages, the tech founder sheds light on how Aloha Browser is shaping both the digital landscape and Cyprus’ future as a leading destination for tech innovation.

“Aloha has put Cyprus on the map as a home to a lot of innovation”

CM: Could you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to found Aloha Browser?

Andrew: My passion for mobile technology goes way back to the days of Palm computers. As a young developer, I saw firsthand how personal devices – smartphones, tablets – were becoming essential parts of people’s everyday lives. My career in mobile app development really took off around the time the first iPad launched. That moment didn’t just light up my excitement for mobile tech – it also sparked my interest in privacy protection.

Back in 2015, when Aloha started, it was the golden age of data collection. Companies started piling up massive amounts of user data and even bragging about it!  With my experience as both a publisher and an advertising network insider, plus my Stanford IT background, I could see this trend was heading in a risky direction. While working at Conde Nast Publishing, I became very aware of just how vulnerable users were to privacy violations. It just didn’t feel right. I’ve always believed that privacy is a fundamental human right, but it seemed like no one really cared about it online, and that felt like a ticking time bomb. 

So I thought privacy was going to be the next big thing. At that time, all privacy apps were either way too complicated and expensive or very basic, protecting against nothing – almost useless for a regular person. That’s how Aloha came to life: a privacy browser for a regular person. Someone who doesn’t want to understand all the nuances of privacy protection but just wants it to work. Turns out, that is not an easy task. Building complex things is hard, but creating simple ones is infinitely harder. But I’m proud of what we’ve achieved – Aloha is now the browser of choice for dozens of millions of users worldwide, putting Cyprus on the map as a home to a lot of innovation. 

CM: What makes Cyprus an ideal location for developing privacy-first IT solutions?

Andrew: Back in 2015, Cyprus was one of the most private places on Earth. It didn’t even have traffic cameras. I feel that Cypriots, being friendly and very open, still care deeply about privacy.

Cyprus offers a favorable tax regime, modern infrastructure, and a business-friendly regulatory environment. This makes it super easy and cost-effective to establish and run tech companies focused on privacy solutions. 

Another big advantage is the access to talent. There are plenty of IT companies here, and the regulations for bringing in new talent from the EU and other countries are extremely easy. This has fueled the growth of universities with tech specialisations, new study programs, IT events. We have seen great improvement in these areas over the last 10 years, and we hope this trend continues.

Unlike Silicon Valley, where fierce competition for developers has skyrocketed salaries and perks, driving the cost of launching new products to unbelievable heights, Cyprus offers a unique alternative. It’s a safe place to live with a great climate and short distances – perfect for a reasonable work-life balance. This less stressful environment inspires people and makes them eager to come to work and do great things. 

“We appreciate that the EU and the Cyprus government respect privacy”

CM: How does the business landscape in Cyprus support the growth of tech companies, especially those focusing on digital privacy? Are there specific regulations or policies in Cyprus that make it attractive for privacy-first businesses?

Andrew: The tech sector is the second biggest contributor to Cyprus’ GDP after tourism, and it’s quickly racing toward first place. This growth is beneficial: it boosts the economy and allows the government to invest more in important infrastructure projects and people’s needs, like new hospitals and universities.

Being part of the EU significantly helps privacy-focused companies. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a great example – it’s a set of laws and regulations that favor user privacy and oblige companies to comply. While it’s not perfect, we see that the EU Commission is listening to feedback and working to improve it. New AI regulations are also on the horizon, which is important for anticipating potential threats AI may bring and addressing them from the start. We appreciate that the EU and the Cyprus government respect privacy and provide mechanisms to ensure compliance.  

Some may argue that these regulations slow down progress, but from our perspective, it’s actually a good thing. They give us a moment to pause and reflect not only on short-term profits, but on whether we’re doing the right thing. Do we have enough understanding of where we’re headed, what potential threats exist, and how we design new products with these considerations in mind? This approach will ultimately save lots of time and money in the long run. 

CM: What challenges did you face when establishing Aloha Browser in Cyprus, and how did the local environment help you overcome them?

Andrew: There were a few challenges. At first, it was difficult to accelerate growth due to the limited availability of local IT talent, so we had to bring in some people from other countries. This did slow the process down a bit, but with new regulations and the overall development of Cyprus as a tech hub, it has become easier now.

Finding an affordable, appropriately sized office was also challenging, especially as the company grew. While there is plenty of commercial real estate, it tends to be either very small or very large, making it difficult to find a mid-range space suitable for a small to medium sized company like ours. 

Another challenge was the lack of direct flights to the US. As the US is a major player in the tech industry, there is no doubt that every IT company on the island has numerous US-based partners. The lack of direct flights can make travel between Cyprus and the US a bit cumbersome.  

“The more private we are, the more users appreciate it”

CM: In what ways does Aloha Browser differentiate itself from other privacy-first browsers, and how has Cyprus played a part in its innovation?

Andrew: The most important aspect of privacy-focused products is user trust. A browser serves as the primary gateway to the internet, so it’s essential to have confidence in the one you use. Cyprus holds a significant position in terms of trust and transparency: it’s governed by EU regulations, which enforce strict data protection policies, and it is not part of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, unlike the US, UK and others.

Right now, the most popular browsers are owned by big corporations, whose primary source of revenue comes from targeted advertising. These browsers are important for data collection and user profiling, which are later used for ad targeting. However, if this data is leaked or misused, it can lead to fraud, identity theft, and many other serious issues. While some people claim that they don’t care about privacy, from my point of view – if you have a lockable door in your bathroom – you do care about privacy. It’s not that someone specifically holds a grudge against you or targets you, but most hacking, fraud, and other cyberattacks today are automated by bots. These bots find targets and execute attacks, so if your data is widely available, you could easily become a target. 

Does this sound a bit complicated? That’s where we shine. We offer maximum privacy out of the box in a simple and accessible format. There’s no need to configure settings or toggle multiple switches – just download Aloha and start browsing.  

The key difference is that Aloha is the only browser fully funded by our users. We don’t make money from advertising, so we have no interest in data collection of any kind. The more private we are, the more users appreciate it and choose to subscribe to our Premium service. 

“I genuinely believe that Cyprus is the best place to live and do business”

CM: What are the key factors that make Cyprus a competitive option for IT firms compared to other European tech hubs?

Andrew: I believe the most important factor is safety. Cyprus is exceptionally safe, compared to other EU tech hubs.

Cyprus is also uniquely positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, making it a perfect hub for tech companies with global IT products. This can be particularly beneficial for privacy solutions that need to cater to diverse regulatory environments. 

Of course, there are challenges as well, but I’m confident we will overcome them very soon. I genuinely believe that Cyprus is the best place to live and do business, and I love it with all my heart. 

CM: How has Aloha Browser contributed to the tech scene in Cyprus, and what role do you think it can play in the country’s future as a tech hub?

Andrew: We’re proud to have made some significant contributions to the tech scene in Cyprus. Right now, we employ about 50 people, many of whom are talented local IT professionals, helping to foster and retain tech expertise within the island.

We also collaborate with the EU Commision on privacy regulations, putting Cyprus on the map as an active participant in shaping key tech policies at the EU level.   

We are one of the few privacy-focused tech companies in Cyprus, and we are eager to spread awareness about the importance of privacy. Whether it’s through local IT events or community initiatives, we’re all in on making privacy a bigger part of the conversation.