The FTC’s Report on Big Tech’s Personal Data Overreach: What You Need to Know

November 20, 2024 Leave a comment

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released a report exposing how Big Tech companies are overstepping privacy boundaries in their quest for user data. The report reveals the massive amount of personal information these companies collect, store, and profit from. Often, this is done without clear user consent or transparency. As concerns over data privacy grow, the report highlights the urgent need for stronger regulation and more responsible data practices.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the key findings of the FTC’s report and discuss how this overreach affects your privacy, along with what actions you can take to protect your data.

Key Findings of the FTC’s Report on Big Tech’s Data Practices

The FTC’s report, titled “A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services” offers an in-depth look at how major technology companies, including Facebook (Meta), Google, Amazon, and others, are handling your personal data. Below are some of the major findings:

(more…)

Continue Reading →

Domains are for life, not just for…

November 19, 2024 Leave a comment

We’ve written before about domains and how you can use your own domain with Runbox. However, there are some considerations to be made before you decide to get a domain and it’s easy to overlook some of the responsibilities you might be taking on.

In this blog post we want to add some further details to the topic of registering and owning a domain based on some of the ongoing considerations (and problems) our own customers have had to face when managing their domains.

Reasons for registering a domain

People register domains for all sorts of reasons and these can be any or all of the following as well as others not listed:

  • a more personal look to an email address
  • an address that you never need to change as you can move your domain from one email provider to another and keep the same addresse(s)
  • to help promote a business (looks professional) and if you are an online business it looks like you know how to deal with trading online
  • people can see that the address is genuinely yours especially if the domain also links to a website
  • unlimited (within reason) choice of what you can have before the @ symbol as you own the part after the @ symbol
  • specifically relating to Runbox we don’t count aliases using your own domain towards your quota of 100 aliases per account

It’s not always straight forward though

(more…)

Continue Reading →

Runbox is not on Meta or X (Twitter) – Because Privacy Matters

November 18, 2024 Leave a comment

Social media platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram) and X (Twitter) are huge parts of our online lives. They’re where we catch up with friends, get our news, and share ideas. But while these platforms bring us together in a lot of ways, they also come with big problems—especially when it comes to privacy and misinformation. For a company like Runbox, being part of these platforms just doesn’t make sense. Here’s why.

1. Privacy Comes First

Runbox has built its reputation on privacy. It’s not just a feature—it’s the whole point. We don’t collect or sell your data to third-party advertisers. In fact, privacy is baked into everything we do.

Meta and X (Twitter) on the other hand make a lot of their money by gathering tons of data about their users—everything from your location to your browsing history. They use that data to target ads and sell you things, often without your full understanding of how much info they’re collecting. For Runbox, which is all about user privacy, being associated with platforms that profit off personal data just doesn’t align with our values.

2. The Misinformation Problem

(more…)

Continue Reading →

Malware and Your Privacy: How to Defend Against Digital Threats

November 12, 2024 Leave a comment

Malware poses a significant threat to our personal information and security. From ransomware to keyloggers, malicious software programs can infiltrate our devices and compromise our most sensitive data, including contact lists. In this post, we’ll explore how malware works, the risks it presents, and the potential consequences of a breach.

What is Malware?

Malware, short for malicious software, is any software designed to harm, exploit, or compromise the functionality of a computer or network. One of the primary goals of many malware types is to steal sensitive information. Here’s how it works:

Malware often enters a device through infected downloads, email attachments, or compromised websites. Users may inadvertently install it by clicking on malicious links or accepting untrustworthy downloads.

Once installed, the malware can access various parts of the system. Spyware, for instance, can monitor keystrokes and capture personal information, while other types may directly search for files containing sensitive data.

Many malware types can scan for contact lists stored on devices, and extract names, phone numbers, and email addresses. This information can then be used for spam, phishing attacks, or sold on the dark web.

Types of Malware

(more…)

Continue Reading →

Protect Your Data with Runbox: Secure, Private, and Based in Norway

November 8, 2024 Leave a comment

We live in an era of constant digital surveillance, where governments and corporations collect vast amounts of personal data. Privacy has become one of the most pressing issues for people around the world. From targeted ads to government surveillance programs, personal information is constantly at risk. Protecting that privacy is not just a matter of convenience — it’s essential to safeguarding our freedoms, security, and autonomy. Runbox’s base in Norway plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your personal information.

Privacy is a Fundamental Right

At its core, privacy is about freedom. In the U.S, it is enshrined in the Constitution, particularly the Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Although the right to privacy isn’t explicitly stated in the Constitution, it’s been interpreted by courts to protect citizens from government intrusion into personal matters.

The idea that individuals have the right to keep their lives private — free from government or corporate interference — is a cornerstone of American democracy. Without privacy, individuals lose the ability to express themselves freely, to think and act without fear of surveillance or judgment. Privacy is integral to a free society, where people can associate with others, speak their minds, and live without being monitored at all times.

(more…)

Continue Reading →

EU’s AI Act: What it is all about

November 7, 2024 Leave a comment

From the perspective of the general public and society as a whole, so-called Artificial Intelligence (AI) was largely invisible until OpenAI removed the veil over GPT-3.5/ChatGPT in 2022.

Since then, the interest and use of AI, and General Purpose AI (GPAI), has exploded. AI implementations are creeping in everywhere, to great benefit in many respects. However, the warning signs are many — manipulated images, fabricated conversations, falsified news stories, and fake video-presented events can lead to unforeseeable negative consequences, for instance in influencing democratic elections.

This is also the case when AI is used to make decisions, since we know that there is always a risk of “AI hallucinations” where AI software produces incorrect or misleading information.

This simplified outline can serve as background for the EU’s AI Act, whose purpose is to put a societal control over the use and influence of AI/GPAI in particular, and the big tech companies in general.

So let’s dig into the matter, with the aim to describe what EU AI Act is, and to clarify its consequences, if any, for Runbox.

(more…)

Continue Reading →

Runbox Ensures User Security and Privacy through Unique Email Addresses

October 31, 2024 Leave a comment

Runbox is dedicated to maintaining user security and privacy. A key practice that supports this commitment is our policy of not recycling email addresses. We do not assign old addresses to someone else.

Runbox is committed to user security and privacy, and a fundamental part of this commitment is our policy of always using unique email addresses for our users. We understand that your email address is a critical component of your digital identity, which is why we never reassign old addresses to new users. This practice safeguards your personal information and ensures that your communications remain private and secure.

By avoiding the reuse of email addresses, we help eliminate the risks associated with recycled addresses. This includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive information or confusion from multiple users sharing the same address. This approach not only protects your identity but also fosters a more reliable and trustworthy communication environment.

Using unique email addresses offers several benefits:

(more…)

Continue Reading →

Spam in Reverse: When Your Email Client Gets It Wrong

October 29, 2024 Leave a comment

Spam these days is no joke. Keeping our inboxes tidy can feel like a full-time job, and just when you think you’ve got it under control, an unexpected twist occurs: legitimate emails end up in your Junk folder. Yes, we’re talking about the moment when you realize important messages are hiding away in spam purgatory, thanks to email clients like Apple Mail, Outlook and Thunderbird.

Last week we wrote about a dual spam filter approach using email clients and how to set this up. We also talk about how spam has increased dramatically lately, and the reasons why. Here we look at how legitimate emails can end up in the Junk folder

The Frustration of Missing Emails

We’ve all been there. You’re expecting an important email, maybe a project update or a message from a friend, and it never arrives. You check your inbox—nothing. You start to wonder if they even sent it. Then, on a whim, you dive into your Junk folder, and there they are. Emails you thought were lost, marked as spam by your email client.

But it gets even more frustrating. Sometimes you have already filtered these emails specifically. You added them on your allowlist (what we used to call whitelist) in your Runbox Webmail, meaning you’ve already done the work to ensure they reach your inbox. So, why does your email client override your careful training and send them to Junk anyway?

(more…)

Continue Reading →

Managing Unwanted Email: A Dual Filter Approach Using Email Clients

October 25, 2024 Leave a comment

Many of us continue to face a frustrating challenge: an overwhelming influx of spam emails. This is when spam is more than just a nuisance – it becomes a real problem. Why are some inboxes inundated with spam? We look at why it’s happening and what you can do about it.

The Connection Between Data Breaches and Spam

Data breaches are alarmingly common, and stolen email addresses can be easily sold on the dark web. People who receive a lot of spam have often had their email addresses exposed on the dark web. There is a direct connection between data exposure and the amount of spam in our inbox.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

AI is significantly contributing to the rise of spam emails by enabling spammers to automate content generation, craft personalized messages, and conduct targeted campaigns at an unprecedented scale. With advanced natural language processing, spammers can create convincing emails that evade traditional spam filters, while machine learning allows them to analyze data and segment audiences effectively. 

The Reality of Online Sign-Ups

Every time you sign up for a service, your email address enters a database, and depending on the company’s privacy practices, that information can be at risk. It’s essential to approach online sign-ups with caution – consider using disposable email addresses for non-essential services and researching a company’s privacy policy. Being aware of the implications of online sign-ups is crucial for protecting your personal information.

Have I Been Pwned: A Crucial Resource

A valuable tools available is https://haveibeenpwned.com, a legitimate website where you can check if your email addresses have been compromised in known data breaches. By simply entering your email address, you can see if it has appeared in any breaches, along with details about the specific incidents.

(more…)

Continue Reading →

Empowering Environmental Organizations with Free Email Services

October 22, 2024 Leave a comment

In an age where digital communication is essential, the tools we use to connect can significantly impact our mission and reach. We are committed to fostering a sustainable future, and support those who work tirelessly to protect our planet. As part of this mission we offer free email services to environmental organizations.

Who We Are

Runbox is an environmentally conscious email service provider that prioritizes privacy, security, and sustainability. Based in Norway, Runbox operates on renewable energy and aims to minimize our carbon footprint. Our services are designed to be user-friendly while offering advanced features that cater to both individual users and organizations.

Supporting Environmental Organizations

This program is part of our broader commitment to fostering a sustainable future and supporting those who work tirelessly to protect our planet. It reflects our dedication to supporting causes that align with our values. Effective communication can lead to increased awareness, greater community engagement, and stronger advocacy efforts. This support helps create a network of informed and active citizens dedicated to environmental causes.

(more…)

Continue Reading →