LONDON — In today’s digital environment, a substantial number of internet services require users to provide their email addresses, whether it’s for downloading an app, subscribing to a newsletter, or claiming an online offer. But there’s a way to protect your personal information by using a strategy similar to burner phones: burner emails.
Email masking is gaining traction as a savvy technique to safeguard personal data and maintain privacy. It involves using an alternate email address that forwards messages to your actual inbox. This ensures your real email remains hidden from the entities you interact with online.
Several services are providing this cloaking functionality. Companies like DuckDuckGo, Mozilla with its Firefox Relay, FastMail, and Proton offer these services through platforms such as SimpleLogin and stand-alone privacy tools. Furthermore, Apple includes this feature in its iCloud+ and Apple One plans, allowing users to hide their email via the Safari browser on iPhones or Mac computers with a simple tap.
When subscribing to these services, it’s essential to choose an option that allows not only receiving messages via the masked email but also replying to them. This can be crucial, particularly for emails related to online purchases should you need to resolve order issues.
Using email masks is recommended for anyone looking to alleviate the risks associated with data leaks or unauthorized information sharing. It offers a flexible shield against unwanted messages by allowing you to deactivate a masked email if spam begins flooding in.
Santiago Andrigo from Mozilla advocates employing email masks in cases where websites may misuse your email information or when joining sites that may reveal sensitive data if breached. This is especially relevant in communities tied to personal or medical concerns, where privacy is paramount.
Email masking is a preferable alternative over other commonly suggested tactics, such as creating disposable email accounts or using specially formatted email addresses in services like Gmail, which offer minimal privacy protection.
Since email masking involves using intermediary servers that handle the relay of information, choosing reputable and transparent service providers is crucial. Ensure they uphold privacy agreements and are based in jurisdictions that enforce accountability. Firefox Relay and Apple, for example, clearly outline their privacy commitments and delete messages from servers promptly to ensure your data remains private.