Tuta has accomplished some big things in 2024, from the release of post-quantum encryption for email, the rebranding to Tuta, to launching an office in Munich, to launching the Tuta Calendar app - also on F-Droid - a lot happened here at Tuta! All these accomplishments and developments are made possible by two things: The people who use Tuta, and our team (which keeps growing)!

So while we’d like to thank you for being a loyal Tuta user, and contributing to our growth, we also invite you to give our new team members a warm welcome: Haroun, Julian, Martin, Amelie, Carsten, Henry, and Bijin!

Welcoming Haroun!

Personal introduction: The most common excuse given by those who don’t care about privacy is that they have nothing to hide. Yet, if asked if they would be okay with their postal worker reading their letters, most would say no. In fact, opening someone else’s mail is considered a crime in most countries, yet somehow, email providers scanning user emails is considered normal. This is even stranger when we consider the power these giant corporations have compared to our not-so-powerful mail carriers.

To me, privacy is not just about keeping one’s personal life away from prying eyes, but more about protecting our right to freedom of thought. Obviously, privacy isn’t going to stop governments and corporations from trying to manipulate public opinion, but by giving them less data, we can make it harder for them to do so. After all, the more they know about us, the easier it is for them to influence our opinions to be more aligned with their agenda.

Tuta is one of the very few companies that care about and fight for these fundamental rights. And the fact that I get to take part in such an important mission alongside some of the most brilliant and genuinely kind people I’ve ever met brings me so much joy and pride.

Welcoming Julian!

Personal introduction: I’m Julian, 21 years old from Germany. I finished my three-year training as a software developer this summer. So far, I have always relied on software and apps that respect the privacy of their users. Maybe it’s paranoia talking, but being potentially monitored at every step I take doesn’t appeal to me. If someone tells me they have nothing to hide, I usually ask if they would like to give me their unlocked cell phone for just five minutes. You can guess what the usual answer to that is… The only problem is that they are at least asked beforehand whether they want to disclose their data to anyone. And in this harmless case, it would be me and not big tech.

At Tuta, I work in the “Return on Investment” team. We support Tuta’s marketing by providing anonymous metrics for our internal analysis. All in all, you could say that we help spread the word about Tuta and bring it to the people. It’s simply great to be able to work on the product that you were already using before and personally believe in.

Welcoming Martin!

Personal introduction: Tuta gives me the opportunity to work on a product I can stand behind ethically, with its products also being a useful contribution to society.

There are many reasons I’m glad to have joined Tuta, a few being: the great and friendly coworkers and the non-toxic work environment with flat hierarchies. Tuta’s CEOs are operating at the same eye level as the employees which makes it very easy to respect them. I get to work in a relaxed, but focused atmosphere with no micromanagement.

I’ve personally got nothing to hide. But there may be people with good intentions like whistleblowers who need to be protected from prying eyes: surveillance companies or governments. If no privacy is the default, these people will stick out like a sore thumb, making it easy to detect and target them. This also makes it easier to ban privacy services, by claiming they are only used for malicious activities (“malicious” being defined by political interests).

By making privacy the default on the web, we ensure that people who need to keep a low profile are able to do so effectively, by blending in with the masses.

Welcoming Amelie!

Personal introduction: Tuta caught my eye for the first time when I was at an event at the university I wanted to study at. Just a small piece of paper hanging on the wall. I wasn’t even looking for a company to study at back then, but Tuta stayed on my mind from then all the way to when it came down to actually search for a partner company.

I wanted to complete my dual studies at a company I could be proud of and I would enjoy working with. Since joining Tuta, I can say that I have found just that. The atmosphere at work is friendly, supportive, and everyone is passionate about Tuta’s cause and goals.

I want to help as much as I can to secure privacy online for everyone. It is just as important online as it is offline. No one except you is allowed to read your letters so why leave emails unprotected? We don’t have to pay for basic security or privacy if we send letters or talk to someone in our own home nor are there any cameras broadcasting every bit of information to everyone who would like to see it. So why online? Because we were taught it is okay? Privacy is a human right, so let’s defend it!

Welcoming Carsten!

Personal introduction: Since I started studying computer science, I wanted to work at Tuta. I think using an encrypted service for email, calendar, and contacts is the best way to protect a crucial part of your daily communication against big tech and surveillance. Encryption should become the default not only in communication. I want to work with the team to make digital privacy accessible and usable for everyone, regardless of how technically experienced they are.

Welcoming Henry!

Personal introduction: I wanted to do something meaningful, join an international team of talent driven by a mission. I align with the vision of the Tuta team, and dream of a world where the web and technology belongs to people and not big corporations and advertisement companies located in America.

What is private between people must stay private.

Welcoming Bijin!

Personal introduction: Like many others, I’m concerned about privacy, especially online, where nothing feels truly secure. That’s where Tuta comes in, with its focus on privacy by encrypting emails, calendars, and contacts. Privacy matters to me because it allows people to control who can access their personal information. I want to contribute to improving privacy in the future, which is why I joined Tuta.

Support a good cause

As our team grows, so do Tuta’s features and functionalities which is evident in how much we have achieved in 2024: Updating the encryption algorithms to AES 256, adding a search functionality to the Tuta Calendar, adding full contact integration for mobile devices to Tuta, launching post-quantum cryptography for email, improving contacts’ handling in all Tuta clients, adding notification previews to the Tuta Android and iOS apps, introducing a stand-alone calendar app for iOS and Android, and enabling actions on email notifications like deleting or archiving emails directly from the notification without opening the Tuta Mail app.

And as the year slowly comes to an end, we look forward to 2025, and what’s yet to come for Tuta! We hope you’re just as excited as us.

Tuta is made up of a diverse group of individuals from around the world all working towards the same goal: creating a better web through privacy.

With your support, we are able to change the world for the better. If you’d like to support us in fighting for a better web and for the privacy you deserve, we invite you to spread the word and share Tuta Mail with your friends and family. ❤️