Recent reports reveal that some companies are handing over user data when served with a subpoena by authorities. At Runbox we monitor this trend with concern and want to take the opportunity to make it clear that we will not disclose user data to anyone unless certain very specific and stringent criteria are met.
A subpoena, warrant or request from any government or foreign agency is not enough to meet our requirements. If an entity requests access to any user data, Runbox will by principle respond by requesting a Norwegian court order pursuant to the Norwegian Criminal Procedure Act before disclosing any information.
Read on to learn how Norwegian privacy law protects your data and why it’s your best defense.
As a privacy-focused email service based in Norway, we believe that protecting the right to privacy isn’t just about safeguarding data. It’s also about defending the very essence of democracy. Privacy and free expression are what let us speak freely, challenge authority, and engage in society without fear – democracy can’t thrive without them. And without our active participation, the structures that uphold our freedoms lose their strength, and the principles we value start to disappear.
Without privacy, how safe is your right to speak your mind? How fair is the system if your personal information can be used against you? How free are you to take part in your community if you’re always looking over your shoulder? Privacy isn’t just another right – it’s the cornerstonethat protects all our other rights.
Because democracy is more than just the rule of law, free and fair elections or independent courts. It is also about the right to privacy. When privacy is weakened, everything else we value in a democracy starts to wobble. That’s why we at Runbox don’t just see privacy as a feature – we see it as a commitment to the principles that keep societies open, fair, and free.
Why This Moment Matters
The world is changing, and democracy is facing challenges we haven’t seen in a long time. We see leaders attempt to concentrate power, silence critics, and undermine the institutions that protect our freedoms. They do this by spreading fear, lies, and creating division. This weakens the trust we have in our institutions and the foundation of democracy itself.
Rising authoritarianism, threats to national sovereignty, and the erosion of democratic institutions are challenges that demand a response. When one country’s sovereignty is undermined – whether through coercion, surveillance, or military aggression – it sets a dangerous precedent for us all. Sovereignty and privacy are two sides of the same coin: sovereignty is a nation’s right to govern oneself; privacy is about the rights of individuals – both rely on the freedom to make their own choices, free from manipulation and control.
Yet, history shows us that democracy is resilient. It has survived wars, economic crises, and social upheavals – because people have chosen to defend it. The challenge today is no different. The decisions we make today – how we engage with each other, how we hold power to account and question authority, and how we speak up for the rights of all people – will shape the future of democracy.
The Pillars of Democracy and the Role of Privacy
Free Speech: The Oxygen of Democracy
Free speech isn’t just about having the right to say what you think, it’s also about having the space to do it without fear. But what is free speech if we worry that our words will be monitored, censored, or turned against us? Privacy is what creates the safe space where we can exercise our right to free speech. It lets us engage in open dialogue, explore new ideas, and speak truth to power, knowing we won’t face retaliation for speaking our minds.
Civic Participation: Democracy in Action
Democracy is not a spectator sport, it requires the active participation of all of us, whether we stay informed, vote, or organize in our community. Through Civic participation, we can hold leaders accountable, expose wrongdoings and advocate for our rights. But we cannot participate without the fear of surveillance, manipulation or suppression if our personal information isn’t protected. The right to privacy is the foundation that lets us engage freely in a democracy.
The Rule of Law: Fairness and Accountability
The rule of law is what ensures that all everyone – individuals, corporations, and governments – are held to the same standards. Laws exist to protect our rights, they guarantee fairness, and they prevent the abuse of power. Without strong privacy laws, our personal data can easily be exploited by governments and corporations – to distort justice, suppress dissent and opposition, and undermine fairness. Privacy laws serve as a critical safeguard for our privacy.
Standing Together
For us at Runbox, it’s about more than keeping emails private and secure – we believe that privacy is a fundamental democratic right that allows us all to speak our minds and act freely, without fear of surveillance or interference. Privacy empowers people to hold power to account, and participate in civic life without fear of retaliation. It’s what keeps the rule of law transparent and equitable – serving everyone, not just those in power.
In Norway, we are fortunate to live in a society where democratic values are deeply ingrained. However, democracy is not a given – it is a shared responsibility. Its future depends on our willingness and commitment to protect it. By standing together – governments, individuals, and businesses – we can help ensure that these important values remain strong and continue to thrive.
In late 2025, reports emerged that Google had enabled its Gemini AI by default for Gmail, Chat, and Meet users, allowing it to analyze private communications – often without explicit user consent. While Google maintains that Gmail content is not used to train its public Gemini AI models, it can still scan and process emails, attachments, and other data for personalization features like summarizing and drafting replies.
The controversy centers on how this access was enabled by default, the lack of clear user notification, and the complexity of opting out, sparking concerns about privacy and transparency. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do.
As we approach the end of 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the year and express our heartfelt thanks to you, our Runbox community. We’re a small, independent company, and while we always strive for excellence we know there’s room to grow. This year has been a journey filled with both achievements and challenges, and we are grateful for your support.
In October 2000, a small email service was born far to the north in Oslo, Norway. Our mission from the start was clear – to create innovative tools that bring people together in meaningful, enjoyable ways – and to provide a lasting home for their digital conversations.
Over the years, we’ve grown not only in scope but also in purpose. Inspired by our Norwegian heritage, our mission has expanded to champion privacy, data security, and sustainability – delivering services powered by our country’s abundant renewable energy.
At our core, we remain committed to offering premium, secure, and eco-conscious email services at accessible prices available to everyone. That’s why we are excited to announce that our popular 3-year plans are now available for sub-accounts too!
Whether you’re managing email accounts for your family, small business or organization, you can now enjoy the same long-term savings and peace of mind for all your sub-accounts. No more annual renewals, no more hassle – just seamless, secure email service.
Twenty-five years ago, a small team with a big vision launched Runbox into a world where the internet was still finding its feet. Over the years our mission has become clear: To combine innovation with a service rooted in ethics, sustainability as a responsibility, privacy as a right, and respect for users as our foundation. No compromises. No hidden agendas. Just a simple promise – your data, your control, your privacy.
Today, as we celebrate a quarter-century of Runbox, we want to say thank you. Because this milestone isn’t just ours – it’s yours as well. Your trust and support have shown the world that email can be different, responsible, and sustainable – and we wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for being part of this journey!
At Runbox, we believe that protecting our planet is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to doing our part through sustainable practices and meaningful partnerships. We power our email servers with 100% renewable energy, ensuring our business is carbon-negative. We double-offset any operational CO₂ emissions from non-renewable sources, and we’re proud to lead by example. But our commitment extends beyond our own operations. We also actively support organizations that work to protect and restore our local and global environments, and we are pleased to announce that we support the Oslofjordens Friluftsråd (The Oslofjord Outdoor Council).
Are you tired of relying on big tech companies for your email needs? Do you want to take back control over your online presence and protect your personal data? Meet Runbox, a Norwegian email provider providing a secure, sustainable, and flexible email solution that puts you first. With us, you can rest assured that your usage data is never tracked, sold, or used to serve unwanted ads in your inbox – ensuring a truly private and secure digital experience.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become the defining technological story of the 2020s. Generative models like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and Claude have captured the public imagination, fueled multi-billion-dollar corporate investment, and triggered widespread debate over the future of work, creativity, and economic growth.
But with climbing valuations and increasingly grandiose narratives, a central question emerges: are we in the middle of a speculative bubble similar to the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, or is AI a transformative revolution ? We look at the parallels, explore how AI might be different, and outline how Runbox is approaching AI in the midst of this development.
At Runbox, we work hard to keep your inbox safe. But phishing attacks are growing more sophisticated with AI-generated content and QR-based attacks, and it’s crucial that you know how to spot them. Here’s what you need to know to protect your account and your information.
