Why Koofr says no to temporary email addresses

Have you ever used a fast temporary email service like "10minutemail" and "5minutemail"?

In the next paragraphs, we’ll dive into the world of temporary email addresses: what they are, why people use them, and why we’ve made the decision to prohibit their use on Koofr. We will explain not only the reasoning behind our policy but also the broader implications of using such services. Let’s unravel the mystery behind temporary email addresses and the role they play in the digital world.

1. What Are Temporary/Disposable Email Addresses?

Temporary or disposable email addresses are email accounts created for short-term use. Unlike traditional email addresses that are tied to a specific user and are intended for long-term use, these addresses are designed to be fleeting, often lasting for just a few minutes to a few hours.

Here’s how they typically work:

• Instant Generation: A user is instantly provided with a randomly generated email address. No sign-up or verification is required.
• Short-Lived Inbox: The generated email address comes with an inbox that remains active for a limited time, typically 10 minutes to an hour.
• Automatic Expiration: After the designated period, the email address and its associated inbox are deleted automatically.

Anonymous temporary e-mail services are commonly used to avoid spam, stay hidden, or test website or app features without revealing permanent email addresses. However, their temporary nature also introduces challenges for businesses and service providers.

2. Why People Use Temporary Email Addresses

Temporary email addresses have become a go-to tool for individuals who need anonymity. Here are the most common reasons people turn to disposable email solutions:

• Anonymity: Temporary emails allow users to sign up for services without revealing their true identity or email address.
• Testing: When users want to try out a new service or platform without fully committing, they sometimes use temporary emails. This ensures they can explore the service without receiving follow-up emails in their personal inbox.
• One-Time Registrations: Temporary email addresses are handy in situations where a person only needs to register for something once, such as participating in a one-time survey.

Note: Temporary emails are often publicly accessible or have poor privacy. When using them to register for an online service, your data sent to a temporary email inbox is usually easily accessible.

3. Why Koofr Doesn't Allow Temporary Email Addresses for login

At Koofr, we value our users’ experience, security, and the integrity of our platform. Allowing temporary email addresses for account registration or login undermines these priorities. Here’s why we’ve chosen to require reliable, permanent email addresses:

Account Security and Verification

Reliable email addresses are essential for Important Notifications. Users may need to receive critical service updates, such as account expiration notices, changes to our terms of service, or invoices for paid upgrades. They are also essential for Restoring Account Access. In case of a forgotten password or an account issue, a verified email address ensures a recovery process. Without a contact method, both the user’s and the platform’s security could be compromised.

Welcome to Koofr. Because privacy matters.

Maintaining Platform Integrity

Temporary email addresses can be exploited to create multiple accounts, often to take unfair advantage of free trials, promotions, or subscription-based services. This undermines the quality of the platform by inflating user numbers with non-legitimate accounts and reducing the resources available to genuine users.

By requiring permanent email addresses, we maintain a high-quality user base that values our service, ensuring fair use and a better experience for everyone.

Customer Support and Communication

Effective communication is a cornerstone of excellent customer support. If users register with temporary email addresses, they lose access to critical correspondence about their account or service inquiries. This lack of a communication channel hinders our ability to resolve issues or provide personalised assistance.

Terms of Service

Our Terms of Service mandate that users provide correct and verifiable information to access the platform. Temporary email addresses do not align with these requirements and may lead to compliance challenges.

By requiring legitimate email addresses, we aim to deliver a secure, reliable, and high-quality experience for all users while maintaining compliance and upholding the integrity of the platform.

Our Commitment to User Privacy and Security

At Koofr, we understand and respect the importance of user privacy. One of the reasons people turn to temporary email services is for anonymity and to avoid unwanted promotional mails. We've built robust measures to safeguard your data, and we don't send spam.

How We Protect Your Privacy:

• Strong Security Protocols: We use industry-leading encryption and security practices to ensure your data remains safe and secure on our platform.
• Transparent Privacy Policies: Our Privacy Policy is clear about how your data is used. We never share your information with third parties except those providing the service, such as our payment processor and accounting.
• Spam Prevention: We avoid sending unnecessary emails and only communicate with you regarding important account updates, notifications, and service improvements.

Read more on How Can You Help Keep Your Koofr Account Safe and Secure

Alternatives to Temporary Emails

Here are a few alternative solutions to temporary emails:

• Email Filtering: Use your email provider’s built-in filtering tools to organise and block unwanted emails.
• Email Aliases: Many email providers allow you to create aliases. These are separate email addresses tied to your primary inbox, which can be easily managed or disabled as needed.
• Dedicated Service Emails: Consider creating a secondary email account specifically for registering on trusted platforms.

At Koofr, we’re committed to balancing user privacy with platform integrity, ensuring you can trust us with your data while enjoying a seamless and secure experience.

Temporary email addresses may offer convenience and anonymity, but they can compromise security, platform integrity, and communication.

At Koofr, we have chosen to prioritise the trust and experience of our users by requiring reliable, permanent email addresses. By doing so, we ensure a secure platform where your account and data are protected. This approach helps us provide an excellent user experience with genuine interactions and fair access to resources. Additionally, having reliable contact information ensures open communication channels for support and critical notifications.

Koofr. Secure and private cloud storage.

We remain deeply committed to providing a safe, reliable, and user-focused service while respecting your privacy and security. Together, we can continue to build a platform you can trust and rely on.

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We also published a Slovenian version of the same article for those who prefer to read it in that language.