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

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:

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Domains are for life, not just for…

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.

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

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.

A conceptual image representing the importance of data privacy. The word 'PRIVACY' the need for protection of personal information, privacy spelled with scrabble letters
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Malware and Your Privacy: How to Defend Against Digital Threats

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.

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

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.

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EU’s AI Act: What it is all about

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.

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Runbox Ensures User Security and Privacy through Unique Email Addresses

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.

Male hand holding letter icon,email icons .Contact us by newsletter email and protect your personal information from spam mail. Customer service call center contact us.Email marketing and newsletter

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:

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Spam in Reverse: When Your Email Client Gets It Wrong

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?

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Empowering Environmental Organizations with Free Email Services

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.

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