Thunderbird to Host EU Servers for Self-Email Service

By Netvora Tech News

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Thunderbird, the popular open-source email client, is taking a significant step towards self-sufficiency by hosting its own email servers within the European Union (EU). The company has also announced that it will utilize encryption at rest, a move that will likely be crucial for many users. The developers have not disclosed further details, aside from emphasizing the importance of encryption at rest.

Thunderbird Pro: A Suite of Services

Earlier, it was announced that the code for Thunderbird's new email service would be fully open-source. Users will soon be able to choose from email addresses ending in tb.pro or thundermail.com. Thunderbird Pro consists of four services: Appointment, an agenda; Thundermail, an email service; Send, a file-sharing service; and Assist, an AI-powered email assistance tool.

Send enables users to share large files via email, with the recipient receiving a download link to retrieve the file from Thunderbird's servers. According to Thunderbird, files transferred via Send are end-to-end encrypted. Additionally, users can password-protect files and set expiration dates.

Assist is designed to help users draft, review, read, and understand emails. For example, it can summarize messages or "read" drafted emails.

Pricing and Beta Testing

Initially, only paid subscriptions for Thundermail will be available. Once there are sufficient paying users, Thunderbird plans to offer a limited, free version of the service. A beta test of Thunderbird Pro is set to begin this summer.

A video has been released by Thunderbird, providing more information about the service. The company is expected to share more details in the coming months.