SimpleLogin, an email alias service developed by Proton, allows users to create unique, disposable email addresses that forward messages to a primary inbox. This system is designed to enhance privacy by limiting the exposure of a user's main email address across various online services.
The service functions by generating aliases that users can employ for website registrations, online purchases, and general correspondence. When an email is sent to an alias, SimpleLogin forwards it to a designated destination mailbox. Replies sent from the primary inbox are routed back through SimpleLogin, ensuring the alias remains the visible sender.
Users can manage these aliases through a dashboard, which provides options to enable or disable them, add descriptions, and view forwarding activity. The dashboard also allows for the creation of both custom and randomly generated aliases. Disabling an alias effectively stops all incoming mail to that address, offering a mechanism to control unwanted communications.
SimpleLogin supports various platforms, including browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, as well as dedicated applications for iOS and Android. For account security, it offers two-factor authentication via authenticator apps and WebAuthn security keys.
The service's privacy policy indicates that it processes message metadata, including sender and recipient addresses, subject lines, and timestamps. Unencrypted incoming messages are also scanned for spam and viruses as part of its operation.
A free tier of SimpleLogin provides 10 aliases, one destination mailbox, and reply functionality. A premium subscription, priced at $4 per month or $36 annually, expands these features to include unlimited aliases, support for custom domains, multiple mailboxes, PGP encryption, and the ability to initiate emails from an alias.
The core benefit of using SimpleLogin is its ability to segment a user's online identity. By assigning a distinct alias to each service, users can mitigate the impact of data breaches on their primary email address and make it more difficult for third parties to link their activities across different websites. It also aids in identifying the source of unsolicited messages, as the affected alias can be disabled to stop further communication.
