Tutanota email service blocked
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Tutanota email service blocked
On Wednesday 1 March 2023 in the morning we accessed our Tutanota email account with no problem. That afternoon WITHOUT WARNING our email service was blocked. We could still login but could read only the email headings in various folders. All text was missing. I contacted Tutanota Support from our secondary email service and the reply indicated that we were blocked by Tutanota because Tutanota/Tutao had decided to allow access for only the CURRENT versions of various browsers, supposedly for security.
We have an iMac 7.1 that runs on OSX 10.11.6 El Capitan, using Firefox 78.15.0esr. Both the Mac OS and the browser are the latest versions for our iMac. This Intel iMac cannot be updated to later versions of MacOS or Firefox that run on the very latest hardware. This combination works fine for ProtonMail, Gmail, Yahoomail, YouTube, Skype, etc.
So on 1 March 2023 some arrogant nerd at Tutanota/Tutao decided WITHOUT WARNING to cut off all Tutanota users except those who have the very latest hardware and software. We are unable to force Apple and Mozilla/Firefox to provide upgrades just for one arrogant and irresponsible email service that has decided its users must have the latest software and hardware. We should not have to anyway. It is up to users to decide what level of risk they accept by using older products and software of any type.
It gets worse. We could still login and see the headings of all emails in various folders but the text was missing. I had mentioned this to Tutanota Support and the response two weeks later on 15 March 2023 was that we found we had now been denied the ability to login to Tutanota. Presumably this was done as an act of spite for submitting a complaint!
As old age pensioners with limited pension incomes we cannot afford to regularly buy the latest electronic toys to meet the onerous requirements of anti-environment and anti-consumer companies like Tutanota/Tutao. We have to pay retail prices from our limited pensions for electronic products whereas employees of a tech company like Tutanota probably receive the latest hardware and software either free or at substantial discounts that are not available to the general public, especially pensioners, and even if paid for come out of a substantial tech company salary or corporate expense account.
Further, in these environmentally sensitive times when we all are encouraged to "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle", Tutanota should be encouraging the public to continue to use older products rather than imposing WITHOUT WARNING a premature Throw Away need upon users of older but still perfectly functional products. We are appalled at the outdated and irresponsible Premature Planned Obsolescence policy of Tutanota.
The EU is reigning in anti-environment and anti-consumer Big Tech, imposing substantial fines on Google and Microsoft, forcing intransigent companies to make appliances easily repairable in an effort to keep older equipment in service and reduce anti-environmental waste, and enforcing the use of a common connection from chargers to different appliances to reduce the number of chargers needed to perform the same function. It is therefore particularly galling to see anti-environment companies like Tutanota/Tutao attempt to sabotage this responsible EU policy by coercing the public to unnecessarily purchase the latest hardware and software to replace perfectly usable equipment.
We now cannot access our email. Apart from normal communications we are in the midst of a health issue and are blocked from email communications with hospitals, doctors and consultants. Did these dunces at Tutanota not think of the inconvenience and damage caused to users by WITHOUT WARNING cutting off their email service? Any decent person would have given at least 30 days notice of such an event to give users time to recover emails from online folders, change to another email service and notify their contacts.
We want an immediate restoration of our Tutanota email service. They just have to provide the same as they were doing up until 1 March 2023. Please help blocked users by pressuring Tutanota at [email protected] and [email protected] to provide this. Note that security is not an issue as ProtonMail and others are still usable and presumably secure on our iMac!
Is this one more area in which the EU will have to impose regulations to enforce responsible business practices? It is already well known for taking on Big Tech. We request you to ask the EU to expand its areas of regulation and enforcement to cover ISPs such as Tutanota who bully the public with anti-environment and anti-consumer practices. [email protected]
Up until this year we have recommended Tutanota. Now we can no longer recommend it. Indeed, an email service that cuts off its customers/users WITHOUT WARNING for a spurious reason is one to avoid and warn others about.
We will appreciate any help you are able to provide to help blocked users regain access to Tutanota emails.
We have an iMac 7.1 that runs on OSX 10.11.6 El Capitan, using Firefox 78.15.0esr. Both the Mac OS and the browser are the latest versions for our iMac. This Intel iMac cannot be updated to later versions of MacOS or Firefox that run on the very latest hardware. This combination works fine for ProtonMail, Gmail, Yahoomail, YouTube, Skype, etc.
So on 1 March 2023 some arrogant nerd at Tutanota/Tutao decided WITHOUT WARNING to cut off all Tutanota users except those who have the very latest hardware and software. We are unable to force Apple and Mozilla/Firefox to provide upgrades just for one arrogant and irresponsible email service that has decided its users must have the latest software and hardware. We should not have to anyway. It is up to users to decide what level of risk they accept by using older products and software of any type.
It gets worse. We could still login and see the headings of all emails in various folders but the text was missing. I had mentioned this to Tutanota Support and the response two weeks later on 15 March 2023 was that we found we had now been denied the ability to login to Tutanota. Presumably this was done as an act of spite for submitting a complaint!
As old age pensioners with limited pension incomes we cannot afford to regularly buy the latest electronic toys to meet the onerous requirements of anti-environment and anti-consumer companies like Tutanota/Tutao. We have to pay retail prices from our limited pensions for electronic products whereas employees of a tech company like Tutanota probably receive the latest hardware and software either free or at substantial discounts that are not available to the general public, especially pensioners, and even if paid for come out of a substantial tech company salary or corporate expense account.
Further, in these environmentally sensitive times when we all are encouraged to "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle", Tutanota should be encouraging the public to continue to use older products rather than imposing WITHOUT WARNING a premature Throw Away need upon users of older but still perfectly functional products. We are appalled at the outdated and irresponsible Premature Planned Obsolescence policy of Tutanota.
The EU is reigning in anti-environment and anti-consumer Big Tech, imposing substantial fines on Google and Microsoft, forcing intransigent companies to make appliances easily repairable in an effort to keep older equipment in service and reduce anti-environmental waste, and enforcing the use of a common connection from chargers to different appliances to reduce the number of chargers needed to perform the same function. It is therefore particularly galling to see anti-environment companies like Tutanota/Tutao attempt to sabotage this responsible EU policy by coercing the public to unnecessarily purchase the latest hardware and software to replace perfectly usable equipment.
We now cannot access our email. Apart from normal communications we are in the midst of a health issue and are blocked from email communications with hospitals, doctors and consultants. Did these dunces at Tutanota not think of the inconvenience and damage caused to users by WITHOUT WARNING cutting off their email service? Any decent person would have given at least 30 days notice of such an event to give users time to recover emails from online folders, change to another email service and notify their contacts.
We want an immediate restoration of our Tutanota email service. They just have to provide the same as they were doing up until 1 March 2023. Please help blocked users by pressuring Tutanota at [email protected] and [email protected] to provide this. Note that security is not an issue as ProtonMail and others are still usable and presumably secure on our iMac!
Is this one more area in which the EU will have to impose regulations to enforce responsible business practices? It is already well known for taking on Big Tech. We request you to ask the EU to expand its areas of regulation and enforcement to cover ISPs such as Tutanota who bully the public with anti-environment and anti-consumer practices. [email protected]
Up until this year we have recommended Tutanota. Now we can no longer recommend it. Indeed, an email service that cuts off its customers/users WITHOUT WARNING for a spurious reason is one to avoid and warn others about.
We will appreciate any help you are able to provide to help blocked users regain access to Tutanota emails.
No offense, I find it troubling that you were cut off without warning, but you are using a computer that was introduced in August 2007 with an operating system that has been unsupported since July 2018. I'm not saying that your provider was right in doing what it did, but running on older hardware and software does come with risks. This is one of them.
Do you have a smartphone or tablet that is slightly newer and could perhaps enable access to the mail account? I suspect you're using this through your browser on your computer, but setting up a dedicated mail program on a computer or other device may be a better way to get access and control where your e-mails end up.
Edit: Disregard that last paragraph, I see that Tutanota is aimed at providing an encrypted service and only supports the online version or their own desktop client. They do clearly state that they only support current versions of various browsers: https://tutanota.com/faq#browser-support The Firefox 78.15esr version you're using is from 2021 as far as I can tell (we're up to version 111.0 on the Mac now), so there has been some leeway here, but I fear that you were always going to end up in this situation at some point. It is simply not possible to provide support for outdated software versions forever, next to the fact that as a company they may be putting their servers at risk by allowing a less-secure browser to access the system. I haven't looked at their terms of service, but there may be a line in their stating that you as a customer have a responsibility to keep your end as secure as possible. If that is the case, you may not have a very strong case against them. That's just my two cents.
Do you have a smartphone or tablet that is slightly newer and could perhaps enable access to the mail account? I suspect you're using this through your browser on your computer, but setting up a dedicated mail program on a computer or other device may be a better way to get access and control where your e-mails end up.
Edit: Disregard that last paragraph, I see that Tutanota is aimed at providing an encrypted service and only supports the online version or their own desktop client. They do clearly state that they only support current versions of various browsers: https://tutanota.com/faq#browser-support The Firefox 78.15esr version you're using is from 2021 as far as I can tell (we're up to version 111.0 on the Mac now), so there has been some leeway here, but I fear that you were always going to end up in this situation at some point. It is simply not possible to provide support for outdated software versions forever, next to the fact that as a company they may be putting their servers at risk by allowing a less-secure browser to access the system. I haven't looked at their terms of service, but there may be a line in their stating that you as a customer have a responsibility to keep your end as secure as possible. If that is the case, you may not have a very strong case against them. That's just my two cents.
Last edited by Jhieminga; 21st Mar 2023 at 13:37.
Was there ANY mention of the fact "You have to Upgrade your Browser" in the last 3 months?
They probably said something like that but didn't spell out the total loss of service
In the UK I understand John Lewis are dropping email service in June after years of providing a decent basic option - but they have given 3 months notice
As Jhieminga says people don't support old systems - my mobile phone (2016) Android hasn't upgraded the OS since 2021 and I'm seeing a slow decline in accessibility on several Aps etc
They probably said something like that but didn't spell out the total loss of service
In the UK I understand John Lewis are dropping email service in June after years of providing a decent basic option - but they have given 3 months notice
As Jhieminga says people don't support old systems - my mobile phone (2016) Android hasn't upgraded the OS since 2021 and I'm seeing a slow decline in accessibility on several Aps etc
For future planning put aside a few currency units ($, £, €) a week and you'll be well placed to go trawling for a 5 year old iMac on eBay or such every 3 or 4 years.
Changing the browser user-agent string to identify as the latest version of Firefox may work (no guarantee) using something like this add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...tcher-revived/
Change the Firefox on MacOS string to the latest from here: http://www.whatismybrowser.com/guide...-agent/firefox
Test to see if the setting change has taken here: https://www.whatismybrowser.com/dete...my-user-agent/
Changing the browser user-agent string to identify as the latest version of Firefox may work (no guarantee) using something like this add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...tcher-revived/
Change the Firefox on MacOS string to the latest from here: http://www.whatismybrowser.com/guide...-agent/firefox
Test to see if the setting change has taken here: https://www.whatismybrowser.com/dete...my-user-agent/
"I get tooted on the autobahn for going 60Km/h in my Model T Ford in the left lane. Please tell all the drivers not to toot at me" is what I am reading...
I'm sure you got prior warning. Either on their web page, updates to terms and conditions, or a direct email sent to you that is probably sitting in your spam folder. Alternatively, they had incoming traffic of a nasty variety coming from you that they responded to with firm action, cutting you off pronto.
One option: Vote with your wallet! Take your custom elsewhere! You may find another ISP that is willing to let you connect with your old equipment.
Otherwise get with the trend. Your ISP is worried (for very real reasons to do with hackers, compromises, theft, Russian/Ukrainian/North Korean/Chinese malware, etc) that you represent an unacceptable risk to their network by using unsupported, obsolete software with well documented serious security bugs to connect to them. You are not only a risk to yourself, but to others, not just users, but their network infrastructure. Hackers don't care how they get in, and if it is your old equipment and software that gives them a foot in the back door, bad luck to you (and them). You may not realise how serious this is and are loudly braying about it. I would ban you also. Forthwith! This is an act of self preservation on their part.
You may find shortly that government regulation may mean a security official knocking on your door and making you upgrade anyway, and your meagre pension will be sponsored to get new equipment supplied by the government. That scenario may be cheaper than fighting unknown digital terrorists that have attacked your local electricity, hospital, bank and other critical infrastructure, via your old PC and obsolete software.
As suggested, consider other hardware alternatives. An old Windows PC can be re-purposed to run the latest versions of [did I say FREE] Linux which offer the latest versions of browser and email software that have less risk. The learning curve to move from the Apple environment to Linux is not so steep these days, and Linux and MacOS have similar roots in Unix type software anyway, just the icons are usually different...
Tweaking your obsolete and security compromised software to pretend it is the latest version is like pissing in your pants. It feels nice and warm, but your shoes are still wet and smelly. Highest risk suggestion - don't do it!
I'm sure you got prior warning. Either on their web page, updates to terms and conditions, or a direct email sent to you that is probably sitting in your spam folder. Alternatively, they had incoming traffic of a nasty variety coming from you that they responded to with firm action, cutting you off pronto.
One option: Vote with your wallet! Take your custom elsewhere! You may find another ISP that is willing to let you connect with your old equipment.
Otherwise get with the trend. Your ISP is worried (for very real reasons to do with hackers, compromises, theft, Russian/Ukrainian/North Korean/Chinese malware, etc) that you represent an unacceptable risk to their network by using unsupported, obsolete software with well documented serious security bugs to connect to them. You are not only a risk to yourself, but to others, not just users, but their network infrastructure. Hackers don't care how they get in, and if it is your old equipment and software that gives them a foot in the back door, bad luck to you (and them). You may not realise how serious this is and are loudly braying about it. I would ban you also. Forthwith! This is an act of self preservation on their part.
You may find shortly that government regulation may mean a security official knocking on your door and making you upgrade anyway, and your meagre pension will be sponsored to get new equipment supplied by the government. That scenario may be cheaper than fighting unknown digital terrorists that have attacked your local electricity, hospital, bank and other critical infrastructure, via your old PC and obsolete software.
As suggested, consider other hardware alternatives. An old Windows PC can be re-purposed to run the latest versions of [did I say FREE] Linux which offer the latest versions of browser and email software that have less risk. The learning curve to move from the Apple environment to Linux is not so steep these days, and Linux and MacOS have similar roots in Unix type software anyway, just the icons are usually different...
For future planning put aside a few currency units ($, £, €) a week and you'll be well placed to go trawling for a 5 year old iMac on eBay or such every 3 or 4 years.
Changing the browser user-agent string to identify as the latest version of Firefox may work (no guarantee) using something like this add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...tcher-revived/
Change the Firefox on MacOS string to the latest from here: http://www.whatismybrowser.com/guide...-agent/firefox
Test to see if the setting change has taken here: https://www.whatismybrowser.com/dete...my-user-agent/
Changing the browser user-agent string to identify as the latest version of Firefox may work (no guarantee) using something like this add-on: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...tcher-revived/
Change the Firefox on MacOS string to the latest from here: http://www.whatismybrowser.com/guide...-agent/firefox
Test to see if the setting change has taken here: https://www.whatismybrowser.com/dete...my-user-agent/
Last edited by Thirsty; 9th Apr 2023 at 13:50.
Do you have to use a browser? Don't Tutanota allow an email client like Thunderbird with a POP or IMAP connection?
That sounds like a definition of something to avoid.
I had a quick look on their site. The basic subscription is free but there are paid options as well. It is supposedly an encrypted service, but only between users of this service or to other e-mail domains using a pre-shared password. I find it slightly ironic that you would subscribe to a service that focuses on security and you then complain about having to use up to date software instead of your less secure, several years old versions. Don't take this the wrong way Carrier, I hope that you too can see that there is a bit of a strange discrepancy here. I realise that your ire was triggered by being cut off from your e-mails. Have you managed to find a way to get your access back?
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We changed to ProtonMail.
ProtonMail works fine on our iMac and is easier to use than Tutanota. There seem to be no limits on daily number of emails, a Tutanota problem as every cc or bcc is counted as a separate email by Tutanota.
It was fairly easy to move our contact list over.
Mrs C spent considerable time contacting others to let them know of the change and cut and pasting emails to save them in .doc or .txt format in folders on our Macs.
We are reasonably happy with the level of security as we use a good VPN, which does not keep records, and a good anti-virus/malware that receives updates every day on both Macs. Time Machine backups are done every hour and we have four other portable hard drives which we rotate for backups every week. Two of these are kept well away in case of flood, fire, burglary, etc. We use quite long and complex pass phrases.
The MBA is current for macOS and Firefox and we recognise we will eventually have to replace the iMac.
Thanks all for the comments.
ProtonMail works fine on our iMac and is easier to use than Tutanota. There seem to be no limits on daily number of emails, a Tutanota problem as every cc or bcc is counted as a separate email by Tutanota.
It was fairly easy to move our contact list over.
Mrs C spent considerable time contacting others to let them know of the change and cut and pasting emails to save them in .doc or .txt format in folders on our Macs.
We are reasonably happy with the level of security as we use a good VPN, which does not keep records, and a good anti-virus/malware that receives updates every day on both Macs. Time Machine backups are done every hour and we have four other portable hard drives which we rotate for backups every week. Two of these are kept well away in case of flood, fire, burglary, etc. We use quite long and complex pass phrases.
The MBA is current for macOS and Firefox and we recognise we will eventually have to replace the iMac.
Thanks all for the comments.
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Went through same crap as a PAID Premium Subscriber ! Had their support email written down which was hello at Tutankhamen yet it kept being returned ! It was months before I was as able to sign in using someone else device that wasn’t an Apple.
The ONLY other issue we’ve had is with a couple of websites we don’t have accounts with but use Microsoft’s security software called “Cloudflare” Even financial institutions don’t use that so we were perplexed why we couldn’t reach T although we had their own mail and also emailed from a different email server . Never heard from them! Light new device - STILL didn’t work ! It was almost a YEAR and not until I saw bought yet ANOTHER new iPhone could we get logged in! STILL trying to delete all the emails in the inbox ! Was shocked they didn’t delete !
THEN we noticed it kept us signed im which we never approved or saw or clicked on and emailed about THAT…it seeme they have a website there actually an APP & it by default kept all Users logged in without their knowledge .
this is the I niter reason we chose them was because of wanting security & not wanting to stay logged in OR have an App! We’ve also noticed that apple saved the site as a favorite and somehow saved our email address which is NOT Cool!!
I was hacked by an Apple engineer who was caught by me as he wa sending emails from my iCloud email and they wouldn’t encrypt it! They now have where you can have a recovery key and your content encrypted FROM Apple being able to access it (still have doubts )
The ONLY other issue we’ve had is with a couple of websites we don’t have accounts with but use Microsoft’s security software called “Cloudflare” Even financial institutions don’t use that so we were perplexed why we couldn’t reach T although we had their own mail and also emailed from a different email server . Never heard from them! Light new device - STILL didn’t work ! It was almost a YEAR and not until I saw bought yet ANOTHER new iPhone could we get logged in! STILL trying to delete all the emails in the inbox ! Was shocked they didn’t delete !
THEN we noticed it kept us signed im which we never approved or saw or clicked on and emailed about THAT…it seeme they have a website there actually an APP & it by default kept all Users logged in without their knowledge .
this is the I niter reason we chose them was because of wanting security & not wanting to stay logged in OR have an App! We’ve also noticed that apple saved the site as a favorite and somehow saved our email address which is NOT Cool!!
I was hacked by an Apple engineer who was caught by me as he wa sending emails from my iCloud email and they wouldn’t encrypt it! They now have where you can have a recovery key and your content encrypted FROM Apple being able to access it (still have doubts )
