As a Norwegian company, Runbox is occasionally asked how the U.S. CLOUD Act affects our users—and the answer is simple: it doesn’t. Unlike U.S.-based providers, we own our servers and operate under Norwegian law, ensuring your emails and personal data are fully protected by Norwegian law and GDPR. The CLOUD Act has no jurisdiction over Runbox or your information. Read on to learn how we keep your data safe.
At Runbox, we’ve spent the last 25 years operating on the principle that technology should serve humanity—not exploit it. Our commitment to sustainability, privacy, and transparency represents a core principle that defines how we serve our customers. This dedication has earned us the Ethical Consumer Best Buy designation since 2020, a rigorous independent recognition of our responsible and sustainable business practices.
Our approach stands in contrast to an industry that too often prioritizes profit over people. Many tech companies don’t just use your data—their entire business models rely on it, exploiting personal information at the expense of your privacy, the environment, and even democratic values. This unchecked collection and monetization of personal data doesn’t just undermine privacy—it erodes trust in digital systems, harms the environment through unsustainable practices, causes societal and psychological harm, and undermines the democratic values that protect individual freedoms. We believe technology should—and can—do better.
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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 cornerstone that 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.
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.
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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.
