Germany Builds Encrypted, Identity-Confirmed Email 188
jfruhlinger writes "Looking to solve the problems of spam, phishing, and unconfirmed email identities, Germany is betting very, very big. The country will pass a law this month creating 'De-mail,' a service in which all messages will be encrypted and digitally signed so they cannot be intercepted or modified in transit. Businesses and individuals wanting to send or receive De-mail messages will have to prove their real-world identity and associate that with a new De-mail address from a government-approved service provider. The service will be enabled by a new law that the government expects will be in force by the end of this month. It will allow service providers to charge for sending messages if they wish. The service is voluntary, but will it give the government too much control?"
Every mistake in the book (Score:5, Informative)
They put a price on every email.
The system will not provide end-to-end encryption: Mail will only be encrypted to and from the mail service providers.
While the accounts are free, individual mails will cost money.
Mail delivered to these accounts will count as delivered to the recipient, so any respite associated with the delivery starts running. Don't read your email regularly - miss deadlines.
Did I mention that mails cost money?
I have recommended to everyone who has asked me to stay away from this system if at all possible. Don't even get an account.