In one of my previous articles, I explained my transition from the iPhone 16 Pro to the Fairphone 6. As you might guess, with this change, I lost a few features. So, let's revisit Apple's "Hide My Email" service, which, I admit, I quickly missed.

What exactly is this service?

As the name suggests, it involves hiding your real email address by creating a random address that redirects to your usual email.

Let's take an example: You want to sign up on a website to order something. You generate a random email address and use it on the site in question.

So, you might ask, why not just use your everyday email?

The advantages of email aliases

Spam protection: If the website you signed up for starts sending you too many emails, you can disable the random email address at any time.

Security in case of hacking: If the website is hacked, your usual email will not be exposed. Additionally, if you receive suspicious emails afterward, you'll know which site was hacked by deduction, as the idea is to use a unique alias for each website.

Still following a hack, it's important to know that hackers attempt to use the emails they obtain from various sources (credential stuffing). Hackers, who may have obtained your email and password, will try to log in to other sites (banks, online stores, etc.) with the stolen credentials. Thus, if your alias has been exposed, hackers won't be able to attempt logging into other sites with your real email, as it hasn't been disclosed.

Easier subscription management: If you subscribe to a particular site and name your alias accordingly (e.g., abo-amazon@example.com), it's easier to keep track of any associated costs.

Bypassing double account restrictions: Need to create multiple accounts on the same site? Want to extend a trial period? This is no longer a problem with the creation of a new alias.

Changing your primary email: Want to change your primary email? If you've created an alias for each site, you just need to change the redirection to point to your new email.

Potentially malicious or dubious site? The alias protects your primary email.

The limitations of Apple's "Hide My Email"

However, beware: with Apple, aliases are not synonymous with anonymity. Apple is an American company and is subject to the Cloud Act!!! If U.S. authorities request the disclosure of the email behind the alias, Apple is obligated to provide the requested information.

SimpleLogin: A European alternative

Fortunately, there is SimpleLogin, a European alternative. In the free version, you can create 10 aliases with unlimited bandwidth, the ability to reply from aliases, and a browser extension to quickly create an alias.

As for the Premium version, it currently costs $36/year, with unlimited aliases and 5 subdomains.

For a complete overview, I suggest you visit simplelogin.io/pricing.

For my part, I only see advantages in using this kind of tool. Especially since SimpleLogin is now part of the Proton group (acquired in June 2022 to strengthen its privacy services, but SimpleLogin remains a separate entity). The servers are located in France and are therefore subject to GDPR.