Proton's SimpleLogin lets users mask their real email with disposable aliases
SimpleLogin, a Proton service, creates email aliases that forward messages to a user's existing mailbox so the primary address can stay hidden. It offers browser extensions, iOS and Android apps, two-factor authentication, WebAuthn keys, and self-hosting, with a free tier of 10 aliases and a premium plan at $4 monthly or $36 yearly. The service can see metadata such as sender, recipient, subject, and timestamps, and it scans unencrypted incoming messages for spam and viruses.
SimpleLogin, a Proton service, is open source and self-hostable. It forwards mail to an existing inbox, letting users create separate addresses for sign-ups, purchases, and conversations. The dashboard offers random or custom aliases, on/off controls, notes, contacts, forwarding history, display names, and pin, move, or delete actions.
Extensions cover Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, plus iOS and Android apps. Security includes app-based two-factor authentication and WebAuthn keys. Free users get 10 aliases, one destination inbox, and replies; premium at $4 monthly or $36 yearly adds unlimited aliases, custom domains, multiple inboxes, PGP encryption, and alias-initiated messages. The provider can see metadata such as message parties, subject lines, and times, and scans unencrypted incoming mail for spam and malware.
Alias services like SimpleLogin may help people limit how often their main inbox appears in databases, reducing some breach and tracking exposure. Shoppers, professionals, and at-risk users could compartmentalize sign-ups and silence unwanted senders by disabling an alias. However, forwarding providers may gain visibility into message metadata, and outages or policy changes could disrupt access. This could shift part of users' trust from their email host to the alias operator.