Your inbox is someone else’s business model. It doesn’t have to be

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March 19, 2026, 2:28 PM

• •Gmail's free service relies on user data for advertising, raising privacy concerns.
• •Fastmail offers a subscription-based private email service with features like custom domains and masked aliases.
• •Fastmail prioritizes user privacy by not collecting or selling user data.
• •The article advocates for private email as a way to regain control over personal data.

The article discusses the privacy concerns associated with free email services like Gmail, which rely on user data for advertising revenue. It highlights the rise of private email services, such as Fastmail, that offer a subscription-based model and prioritize user privacy by not harvesting data. Fastmail's features, including custom domains, masked aliases, and open standards, are presented as advantages over traditional email providers. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of choosing privacy-focused services and the ease with which users can transition to a private email experience.

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