We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. The need for data privacy and the ability to communicate freely has never been more critical. Both individuals and businesses rely on secure online communication to safeguard sensitive information, especially as surveillance technologies continue to monitor and exploit digital interactions. At Runbox, we believe that privacy is more than just a feature; it is the core value that guides our service and our operations. Located in Norway, we are deeply committed to user privacy, which is supported by the country’s strong legal framework. Here, we explore why our location is vital for your privacy protection and how it aligns with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The Right to Privacy
Privacy is not just a fundamental human right; it’s a cornerstone of our online lives, particularly when it comes to email communication. At Runbox, we understand the significance of protecting our users’ privacy. We view data privacy as an essential aspect of our operations and are committed to safeguarding it through stringent practices.
Norway’s Strong Privacy Laws
Norway’s privacy laws are among the most comprehensive in the world, and the robust privacy legislation provides a solid framework for protecting user data. As a Norwegian company, Runbox is subject to The Personal Data Act, which prioritizes user privacy over commercial interests. Stringent privacy regulations require transparent data collection and processing based on user consent. This legal framework creates a protective barrier for your data, and it holds companies like ours accountable for our actions. It means that we only collect minimally necessary data in order to provide services to you.
The Norwegian privacy laws are enforced by the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, which oversees compliance and provide independent oversight. This authority enforces strict regulations and ensures that organizations uphold their privacy obligations. This gives you peace of mind that your personal information is secure.
Compliance with GDPR
Runbox is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), because Norway is a part of the European Economic Area (EEA). The GDPR is one of the strictest data protection frameworks globally. GDPR emphasizes principles such as user consent, data minimization, and individuals’ rights to control their personal data. This alignment with GDPR means that we collect only the essential information needed to provide our services, always with your explicit consent. We have clear policies on how we collect, store, and handle information. This ensures that our users have control over their personal data.
GDPR also grants you various rights, such as the right to access your data, the right to rectification, and the right to erase your data. At Runbox, we respect and uphold these rights, ensuring that your control over your information is never compromised.
User Empowerment
User empowerment is a fundamental principle at Runbox. We focus on giving individuals control over their personal data and online privacy. We strive to make our policies clear and accessible, because we believe that every user deserves to understand how their data is handled. Our Privacy Policy outlines exactly what information we collect, how it’s used, and the measures we take to protect it. We don’t hide behind complicated jargon or obscure language. Instead, we present the information in straightforward terms so that users can make informed decisions about their data.
Runbox Privacy Commitment
We explicitly state our commitment to user privacy in our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Runbox does not scan your emails for advertising purposes, nor do we share your data with third parties without your explicit consent. We actively protect you from external tracking and data misuse. Our servers, housed in secure facilities in Norway, ensure your email and account data remain safe from unauthorized access.
Protection against Surveillance
Runbox ensures that your data cannot be used for purposes other than what it was originally collected for, except with your consent. If a legal request is made for your data, it must first go through a complex process involving Norwegian authorities, and a court order is required before any information can be disclosed. Requests from foreign authorities, including those from the U.S., must follow a diplomatic process that ensures adherence to Norwegian law. Additionally, Norwegian law prohibits surveillance of your communications unless authorized by a valid court order, and independent oversight bodies ensure that any surveillance is lawful and minimal. This commitment to privacy means that your data is shielded from unnecessary access, government surveillance, and unauthorized use.
Transparency
Runbox believes in transparency. We are committed to ensuring that any requests for user data from national or foreign authorities are met with rigorous scrutiny, and we will only disclose information under strict legal requirements. Our Transparency Report is a testament to our commitment to keeping users informed and empowered regarding their privacy rights.
Key Highlights of Runbox’s Privacy Practices
- Norwegian Jurisdiction: Runbox operates under Norwegian privacy laws, ensuring high standards of data protection.
- Data Storage: All email and account data is stored in Norway, on our own secure servers.
- Strict Disclosure Policies: We do not disclose account information or email data unless strict legal requirements are met.
- No Data Mining: We do not scan your emails for advertisement purposes or share your data with third parties.
- Limited data retention: We are not obligated to maintain extensive traffic logs, which enables us to delete your data promptly upon request.
- Enhanced Security: We utilize SSL encryption for all server connections, ensuring that your data remains secure during transmission.
- No External Tracking: Our hosting provider does not log any traffic to or from our servers, further protecting your privacy.
- You Retain Control: You control your own data and may change, export, or delete it at any time.
- Perfect Forward Secrecy: We enforce Perfect Forward Secrecy on all web connections, ensuring that transmitted data cannot be decrypted retroactively.
In Summary
Choosing Runbox means choosing a secure email provider that prioritizes your privacy and peace of mind. By trusting Runbox, you can communicate freely, knowing that your privacy is safeguarded by some of the world’s most stringent regulations. In these uncertain political times, where privacy is increasingly under threat, Runbox’s compliance with Norwegian privacy laws and GDPR offers a crucial safeguard for users. With its strong legal protections and oversight, we ensure that your data remains shielded from government surveillance and unauthorized access, providing a rare level of security and peace of mind in an era of global data vulnerabilities.
For more information about our privacy commitments, visit the Runbox Privacy Policy page. Your privacy matters, and at Runbox, we are dedicated to protecting it.
You can find more information about how we deal with requests for access to data here.
We have written extensively on this subject. Check out our series on GDPR here.
What’s your privacy worth?