Email Provider Mailbox Rejects Quarter of Government Data Requests in 2025
Email provider mailbox, focused on secure communication, recently released its 2025 Transparency Report, revealing that it rejected 25% of all data requests received from government authorities. This highlights a growing trend of email providers prioritizing user privacy and data security.
Rising Trend of Data Request Rejections
In 2025, mailbox received a total of 74 official requests for information. This number is consistent with the previous year, but the rejection rate underscores a firm stance on data protection. The company publishes an annual transparency report detailing the nature and scope of these requests.
Unencrypted Requests Remain a Major Issue
The most common reason for rejection continues to be unencrypted transmission of requests. Mailbox adheres to strict guidelines from the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), requiring all requests to be encrypted. Of the 63 requests sent via email, 27 were unencrypted. Another six were deemed unlawful for other reasons, and five arrived by traditional mail.
In 15 cases, investigating authorities corrected unencrypted requests, leading to a total of 56 requests being answered. However, 18 requests remained uncorrected and were rejected due to deficiencies.
Standardized Review Process
mailbox employs a standardized process for handling government requests. Each request undergoes thorough review by both a data protection officer and a legal counsel to ensure compliance with the law. Authorities have the opportunity to correct flawed requests.
“Data protection and information security are a priority for mailbox. We also adhere to the strict requirements of the Federal Network Agency for requests for information from authorities, which stipulate that requests must be encrypted,” explains Balint Gyemant, Chief Product Officer at mailbox.
Geographic Origin and Request Types
The majority of requests in 2025 originated from German authorities. Only three came from other EU countries, and one from a non-EU authority. 72 requests were related to criminal prosecution, while two came from intelligence services.
The most frequent type of request was for subscriber information – including name, address, and contract details. Only two requests involved a full mailbox seizure, and there were no requests for traffic data or telecommunications surveillance.
The Decline of Fax Requests
Interestingly, mailbox reported receiving no requests via fax in 2025, a positive trend considering fax requests have been prohibited since 2021.
Future Trends in Data Privacy and Government Access
The mailbox Transparency Report reflects a broader shift in the landscape of data privacy. As governments worldwide increase surveillance efforts, secure email providers are becoming increasingly vital for individuals and organizations concerned about protecting their communications.
You can anticipate several key trends:
- Increased Encryption Standards: Expect stricter enforcement of encryption requirements for all government requests.
- Greater Transparency: More companies will likely follow mailbox’s lead and publish regular transparency reports.
- Legal Challenges: Expect more legal battles over the scope of government surveillance powers.
- Decentralized Email Solutions: Interest in decentralized email technologies, offering even greater privacy and security, may grow.
FAQ
Q: What happens if a government request is rejected?
A: The government authority can correct the request and resubmit it, addressing the deficiencies that led to the initial rejection.
Q: What types of data does mailbox provide to authorities when a request is valid?
A: Typically, mailbox provides subscriber information like name, address, and contract details. Full mailbox seizures are rare.
Q: Is mailbox the only email provider publishing transparency reports?
A: No, other providers like Tuta also publish transparency reports, detailing their responses to government requests.
Q: What is a Warrant Canary?
A: A Warrant Canary is a statement that a company has not received certain types of legal orders, such as National Security Letters. Its absence implies that such an order has been received.
Did you know? The number of unencrypted requests received by mailbox decreased from 27 in 2025, compared to previous years.
Pro Tip: Always leverage strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for your email accounts to enhance your security.
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