# Modern Email: Open Source, Security, and Eco-Social Transformation > [! note]- > This summary is based on several sessions within this topic. It summarizes the most important content and places it in an eco-social context. The texts are based on audio/video transcription and text transformation - generated from the content and links of these sessions. ## What is this track about? This track covers the latest developments in modern email technology, focusing on open-source software, security, privacy, and the decentralization of communication infrastructure. Sessions explore a wide range of topics: from user-friendly email clients and secure server solutions to advanced spam detection using language models, structured email for better automation, and the integration of post-quantum cryptography. The track also addresses standardization efforts in authentication, the inclusion of Unicode in email addresses for global accessibility, and the importance of reputation sharing and collaborative security. The aim is to make email not only more efficient and secure but also more inclusive, privacy-respecting, and adaptable for diverse communities. These advances are explained in a way that highlights their practical benefits and the broader implications for digital sovereignty, sustainability, and social justice. The sessions provide actionable insights for both technical and non-technical audiences interested in shaping a more ethical and resilient digital future. ## Sessions **Welcome to the Modern Email DevRoom** Kick-off session emphasizing the enduring importance of email, data sovereignty, and recent standardization efforts. [Welcome to the Modern Email DevRoom](Welcome%20to%20the%20Modern%20Email%20DevRoom.md) **aerc an email client for the discerning hacker** Introduction to aerc, a terminal-based, highly configurable open-source email client for advanced users. [aerc an email client for the discerning hacker](aerc%20an%20email%20client%20for%20the%20discerning%20hacker.md) **Parula Presenting the new email client** Showcase of Parula, a modern, cross-platform open-source email, calendar, and chat client aiming to replace proprietary solutions. [Parula Presenting the new email client](Parula%20Presenting%20the%20new%20email%20client.md) **Structured Email Building Blocks and Implementation Guidance** Exploring machine-readable, structured email formats to automate workflows and improve accessibility. [Structured Email Building Blocks and Implementatio](Structured%20Email%20Building%20Blocks%20and%20Implementatio.md) **Stalwart Mail Server** Presentation of Stalwart, a secure, open-source mail server designed for easy self-hosting and privacy. [Stalwart Mail Server](Stalwart%20Mail%20Server.md) **Mox and simplifying mail server setup and management** Introduction to Mox, a mail server that simplifies setup and management, making self-hosting more accessible. [Mox and simplifying mail server setup and manageme](Mox%20and%20simplifying%20mail%20server%20setup%20management.md) **How to Deploy Full Scale Secure On Prem E Mail Security Cluster as IaC** Using Ansible to automate and secure complex on-premise email infrastructures, with a focus on flexibility and documentation. [How to Deploy Full Scale Secure On Prem E Mail Sec](How%20to%20Deploy%20FullScale%20Secure%20OnPrem%20EMail%20Securi.md) **Enhancing Email Spam Detection with LLMs Practical** Practical experiences integrating large language models with Rspamd for more effective and privacy-conscious spam detection. [Enhancing Email Spam Detection with LLMs Practical](Enhancing%20Email%20Spam%20Detection%20with%20LLMs%20Practical.md) **Advanced mail security our experience with automated reputation sharing in communities and pre-queue deep threat analyzers** Discussing community-based reputation sharing and deep threat analysis to enhance email security. [Advanced mail security our experience with automat](Advanced%20mail%20security%20our%20experience%20with%20automat.md) **Authentication and autoconfig for email Update on standardization efforts** Update on standardizing email authentication and auto-configuration, focusing on safer alternatives to passwords. [Authentication and autoconfig for email Update on ](Authentication%20and%20autoconfig%20for%20email%20Update%20on%20.md) **Tlsrpt Comes To Open Source** Introduction of TLSRPT for transparent, open-source reporting on email encryption and delivery security. [Tlsrpt Comes To Open Source](TLSRPT%20comes%20to%20Open%20Source.md) **DMARCaroni where do DMARC reports go after they are sent?** Presentation of DMARCaroni, an open-source tool for analyzing DMARC reports to improve email deliverability and security. [DMARCaroni where do DMARC reports go after they ar](DMARCaroni%20where%20do%20DMARC%20reports%20go%20after%20they%20ar.md) **Panel discussion 5 years of JMAP experiences and outlook** A panel on the progress and future of JMAP, a modern protocol for efficient and sustainable email communication. [Panel discussion 5 years of JMAP experiences and o](Panel%20discussion%205%20years%20of%20JMAP%20experiences%20and%20o.md) **How email addresses are growing to support unicode** Exploring the expansion of email address syntax to support Unicode, promoting global digital inclusion. [How email addresses are growing to support unicode](How%20email%20addresses%20are%20growing%20to%20support%20unicode.md) **Post Quantum Cryptography in OpenPGP** Integrating post-quantum cryptography into OpenPGP to future-proof email encryption against quantum computers. [Post Quantum Cryptography in OpenPGP](Post%20Quantum%20Cryptography%20in%20OpenPGP.md) **Avoid Implementing STARTTLS** A critical look at the security pitfalls of STARTTLS and recommendations for safer email encryption practices. [Avoid Implementing STARTTLS](Avoid%20Implementing%20STARTTLS.md) **Chatmail server networks for anonymous end to end encrypted messaging** Overview of Chatmail, a decentralized, privacy-focused messaging network designed for anonymity and low resource use. [Chatmail server networks for anonymous end to end ](Chatmail%20server%20networks%20for%20anonymous%20end%20to%20end.md) **Delta Chat from e mail messaging to Peer to Peer realtime networking** (Extraction error – details not available) [Delta Chat from e mail messaging to Peer to Peer r](Delta%20Chat%20from%20email%20messaging%20to%20PeertoPeer%20re.md) ## Significance for an eco-social transformation This track highlights several ways in which modern email technology can support transitions toward more sustainable, just, and collaborative systems: - **Digital Sovereignty and Decentralization:** By promoting open-source email clients and servers, the sessions empower individuals and communities to control their own communications infrastructure. This reduces dependency on large, centralized, and often opaque service providers, aligning with values of autonomy and resilience. - **Privacy and Data Protection:** Many talks focus on improving privacy through better encryption (including post-quantum cryptography), anonymous messaging, and secure authentication methods. Protecting personal data is a cornerstone of ethical digital transformation and is vital for trust in digital systems. - **Sustainability:** Efficient protocols like JMAP and lightweight clients (such as aerc) help reduce the environmental footprint of digital communication by lowering resource and energy consumption. This is particularly relevant as digital infrastructure continues to grow globally. - **Accessibility and Inclusion:** The adoption of Unicode in email addresses and structured email formats supports global digital inclusion, enabling people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to participate equally in digital communication. - **Collaboration and Community Security:** Community-driven reputation sharing and collaborative spam/threat detection show how collective intelligence can be harnessed for the common good, making digital spaces safer and more trustworthy. - **Open Standards and Interoperability:** Efforts to standardize authentication, configuration, and protocols ensure that email remains an open, interoperable, and future-proof medium, which is essential for long-term social and technological sustainability. ## Possible applications 1. **Deploying Open-Source Email Clients (e.g., Parula, aerc):** Designers and organizations can use these clients to maintain privacy, reduce software costs, and promote digital autonomy. [Parula Presenting the new email client](Parula%20Presenting%20the%20new%20email%20client.md), [aerc an email client for the discerning hacker](aerc%20an%20email%20client%20for%20the%20discerning%20hacker.md) 2. **Self-Hosting Secure Email Servers (e.g., Stalwart, Mox):** Initiatives can regain data control and reduce reliance on external providers by implementing user-friendly, secure open-source mail servers. [Stalwart Mail Server](Stalwart%20Mail%20Server.md), [Mox and simplifying mail server setup and manageme](Mox%20and%20simplifying%20mail%20server%20setup%20management.md) 3. **Automating Infrastructure with Ansible:** Eco-social projects can use Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Ansible to deploy and maintain robust, scalable, and secure email systems. [How to Deploy Full Scale Secure On Prem E Mail Sec](How%20to%20Deploy%20FullScale%20Secure%20OnPrem%20EMail%20Securi.md) 4. **Adopting Advanced Spam and Threat Detection (Rspamd + LLMs):** Community organizations can implement modern, privacy-respecting spam filters to improve communication quality and reduce digital waste. [Enhancing Email Spam Detection with LLMs Practical](Enhancing%20Email%20Spam%20Detection%20with%20LLMs%20Practical.md) 5. **Promoting Inclusive Communication (Unicode Email):** Projects aiming for global reach can support Unicode email addresses, making their platforms accessible to non-Latin script users. [How email addresses are growing to support unicode](How%20email%20addresses%20are%20growing%20to%20support%20unicode.md) 6. **Implementing Post-Quantum Encryption (OpenPGP PQC):** For sensitive communications, adopting post-quantum cryptography ensures long-term security and resilience. [Post Quantum Cryptography in OpenPGP](Post%20Quantum%20Cryptography%20in%20OpenPGP.md) 7. **Enabling Anonymous and Decentralized Messaging (Chatmail):** Activist groups and privacy-focused communities can use Chatmail for secure, anonymous, and low-resource communication. [Chatmail server networks for anonymous end to end ](Chatmail%20server%20networks%20for%20anonymous%20end%20to%20end.md) ## Challenges & open questions Several technical, ethical, and social challenges were discussed: - **Technical Complexity and Accessibility:** Many solutions, while powerful, still require significant technical expertise for setup and maintenance. Lowering the barrier for non-technical users remains a key challenge. - **Standardization and Interoperability:** Achieving broad adoption of new protocols (e.g., JMAP, Unicode email, structured email) is hindered by slow uptake among major providers and legacy system compatibility issues. - **Security Risks and Usability:** While new authentication and encryption methods improve security, they also introduce usability challenges, especially for less tech-savvy users. Ensuring that security does not come at the cost of accessibility is crucial. - **Privacy vs. Functionality:** Advanced spam detection and reputation sharing require data sharing, raising concerns about privacy, data protection, and potential misuse. - **Resource and Energy Use:** Even as protocols become more efficient, the growing scale of digital communication can offset these gains. Sustainable digital practices need continued attention. - **Political and Legal Barriers:** Decentralized and privacy-focused tools may face resistance from authorities or regulatory challenges, especially in restrictive regimes. - **Community Engagement:** Sustaining open-source projects and ensuring diverse community participation require ongoing outreach, funding, and capacity-building efforts.