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KPN replaces email service with European storage

Existing customers keep their email address, but according to KPN must give permission to switch to KPN Mail and Cloud.

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On Monday, KPN is introducing a new email and storage service with data storage that, according to the provider, takes place within the European Union. Existing customers keep their email address, but according to KPN will face a phased migration and new subscription options.

The new service is called KPN Mail and Cloud. According to KPN, emails, files, contacts and calendars are stored and processed within the European Union. The provider combines this with standard two-factor authentication and filters against phishing, viruses and other online threats.

For existing users, the email address will not change. Emails, contacts and folders will also, according to KPN, be transferred to the new service. According to KPN, the conversion will not happen for everyone at the same time, and customers will receive personal notification in advance of the date on which they must give permission and the steps required.

KPN says it will temporarily transfer existing customers automatically to the Plus package. The first four months would incur no additional cost. After that, customers can choose another package. According to the available product information, the basic package is linked to KPN Internet at no extra cost, while more extensive packages offer more storage and features.

The provider presents European storage as protection against dependence on non-European cloud services. Storage within the EU means that processing falls under the European legal framework, but in itself says nothing about technical security, encryption or access by service providers. KPN has not published an independent security audit for this announcement.

Secondary sources confirm the main elements of the introduction: European data centres, two-factor authentication and the retention of existing addresses. They largely repeat KPN’s technical claims. Independent verification of the precise architecture and the operation of the security filters is not available.

For customers, the transition is the most important aspect. According to KPN, anyone who has not received a notification does not need to do anything for the time being. The provider warns that permission is required to transfer the existing address and old content. The service is therefore not only a product launch, but also a change that users must actively monitor.

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