How to Email Your Customers While Protecting Their Privacy

SimpleID provides in-app notifications, email communication, and will soon have mobile push notification support.

When we first set out to build SimpleID, we didn’t know we would ultimately build a Web3 engagement platform. We went down a path of building a passwordless, non-custodial Ethereum wallet, something that hadn’t been done before. We didn’t end up launching the wallet for a variety of reasons, but in the process of building it, we discovered the need for an engagement platform, and we were able to re-use much of the technology we had built for the wallet. Specifically, we were able to re-use a the technology we had designed to keep the wallet non-custodial to build a cryptographic isolation process that, for example, prevents us or our customers from being able to connect a user’s wallet address to their email address, despite us storing both pieces of information.

As part of creating a passwordless wallet, we needed to ensure that we could encrypt data with an encryption key that we neither had access to nor did the customer have to hold and maintain. For this, we used an authorization and identity service coupled with a cloud Hardware Security Module (HSM). With some significant customization, we made the system work without a password and had the makings of a passwordless wallet. We could do the following:

  • Authorize users using their email
  • Generate identities for those users that we could not connect to their email
  • Allow those identities to access cryptography capabilities on an HSM
  • Permit our users and customers to encrypt and store data with private keys that we didn’t have access to, that they did not have to remember

We then added public key cryptography to this system enabling our users to encrypt arbitrary data for themselves or other users without us ever needing to manage their private keys directly.  Taking this one step further, we architected a database system where we did not store user information in a single location–we then used cryptography to create a linkage between the two loacations, preventing us from being able to map the a user’s data to personally identifying information about the user. It was great for a non-custodial, passwordless wallet. But as it turns out, it was even more useful as a system for communicating with people in Web3.

Engagement and communication is a big problem in Web3. Today, most dApps communicate through Twitter, Discord, or Telegram. Indirect communication is the equivalent of billboards. You don’t know who will see the message, no matter how critical the message is. As part of our engagement platform, SimpleID is solving this.

We wanted to enable all sorts of communications. This means segmenting users based on blockchain data and then providing the tools to send in-app notifications and emails. Email communications is the tricky part here. dApps don’t generally email their users today because of the premium placed on privacy in the space. In many cases, associating an email address with a wallet address could mean revealing the real world identity of someone that could have thousands to millions of dollars in crypto.

This is where our cryptographic isolation process comes in. If a dApp wants to be able to email their users, they can simply pass through the email address and the wallet address to SimpleID. We will then use the cryptographic isolation process mentioned earlier to encrypt the mapping of email to wallet address. Once stored, we can never re-associate that information. Instead, the dApp is able to decrypt the information needed to email users (unique identifiers) and send them to our server for the actual email to be sent out. All SimpleID ever gets is a unique identifier that matches an email (not a wallet address).

The user experience is no different than using many of the most convenient Web2 engagement applications. Yet, the underlying cryptography is complex enough and strong enough to ensure user privacy that matches the Web3 ethos.

This isolation process opens up a whole new world of opportunity to dApps. Instead of relying on indirect communication, they can engage with their users and keep them informed even after the users have left the apps. This is a necessary quality if Web3 is ever going to grow. Crypto-savvy and techno-enthusiasts may be willing to put up with a constant Twitter feed of information just to catch important notifications from the applications they use, but mainstream users outside of crypto will not.

SimpleID provides in-app notifications, email communication, and will soon have mobile push notification support. If you care about talking to your users and keeping them informed, we’re live now and ready to help you.

Samantha Brown

Author: Samantha Brown

A writer on SimpleId.

35 thoughts on “How to Email Your Customers While Protecting Their Privacy”

  1. It’s great to see how SimpleID evolved from a passwordless Ethereum wallet to a full-fledged engagement platform. The encryption technology used to protect user privacy is impressive. Keep up the good work!

  2. Wow, this sounds like a great platform! It’s amazing how SimpleID was able to repurpose their technology from building a wallet to creating an engagement platform. And the fact that they prioritize privacy by preventing the connection between a user’s wallet address and email address is impressive. I’m looking forward to trying it out!

    1. Yes, SimpleID provides secure storage for user’s encrypted data. As mentioned in the article, we utilize a cloud Hardware Security Module (HSM) coupled with an authorization and identity service to ensure that customer data is encrypted and protected. The system is designed in a way that neither we nor the customer have access to the encryption key, providing an additional layer of security.

  3. This is a great approach towards protecting customer privacy while maintaining effective communication. It’s impressive how SimpleID was able to repurpose their technology from building a passwordless wallet to creating an engagement platform. The use of encryption and authorization ensures that user data remains secure. Well done!

  4. How does SimpleID protect the privacy of customer data while still providing email communication?

    1. SimpleID ensures the privacy of customer data by utilizing a cryptographic isolation process. This process prevents us or our customers from linking a user’s wallet address to their email address, even though both pieces of information are stored. In addition, SimpleID employs an authorization and identity service coupled with a cloud Hardware Security Module (HSM) to encrypt data with an encryption key that we do not have access to and that customers do not need to hold or maintain. This allows for secure email communication while protecting customer privacy.

  5. How does SimpleID ensure the privacy of customer data? Can you provide more details about the encryption process?

    1. Hi MariaSmith, great question! SimpleID ensures the privacy of customer data through a robust encryption process. When a user authorizes using their email, we generate identities that cannot be connected to their email address. We then use an authorization and identity service along with a cloud Hardware Security Module (HSM) to encrypt the data. This encryption key is not accessible to us or the customer, ensuring maximum privacy and security. Let me know if you have any further questions!

  6. I think it’s great that SimpleID prioritized protecting customer privacy while still providing efficient email communication. It’s impressive how they were able to repurpose their technology and build a cryptographic isolation process to ensure that user’s wallet addresses are not connected to their email addresses. This shows that they truly understand the importance of privacy in the digital age.

    1. Hi Emily1995! Thank you for your question. SimpleID takes privacy and data protection seriously. We do not store any user data that could be used to connect a user’s email address with their wallet address. Our encryption technology ensures that your information remains secure. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

  7. The SimpleID platform seems like a great solution for protecting customer privacy while still maintaining effective communication. It’s impressive how they were able to repurpose their technology from building a passwordless wallet to creating an engagement platform. I appreciate the effort they put into ensuring data encryption and user authorization. Looking forward to seeing mobile push notification support!

  8. I really appreciate the effort and consideration you put into protecting customer privacy while also providing a convenient and secure platform. It’s great to see that you were able to repurpose the technology from the passwordless wallet project to create an engagement platform. Keep up the good work!

  9. I think SimpleID is a great platform that prioritizes user privacy and security. It’s impressive how they were able to repurpose their technology from building a passwordless wallet to create an engagement platform. The encryption key system they implemented, coupled with the cloud Hardware Security Module, ensures that user data is protected. It’s reassuring to know that they cannot connect a user’s wallet address to their email address. Kudos to SimpleID for taking privacy seriously!

  10. Wow, this is impressive! It’s great to see how SimpleID started as a project to build an Ethereum wallet and evolved into a robust engagement platform. The focus on privacy and encryption is commendable. Looking forward to seeing the mobile push notification support!

  11. Can you explain more about how the encryption key works and how it keeps the user’s email address and wallet address separate?

    1. Sure, Georgia_Smith! The encryption key plays a crucial role in keeping the user’s email address and wallet address separate. When a user’s email is authorized, the system generates an encryption key that is used to encrypt the data. This encryption key is unique and securely stored in a cloud Hardware Security Module (HSM), ensuring it is not accessible to us or the customer. By using this key, we can encrypt the user’s wallet address in a way that it cannot be linked or connected back to their email address. This ensures the privacy and security of the user’s information. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions!

  12. I think it’s great that SimpleID is focused on protecting customer privacy while still providing effective communication. It’s essential to have a secure platform that allows users to engage without compromising their personal information. The encryption key system mentioned in the article is a smart approach to ensure data remains private. Can’t wait to see the mobile push notification support!

  13. Wow, this is amazing! I never thought about the technological challenges behind building a passwordless wallet. The fact that SimpleID was able to repurpose their technology to create an engagement platform is impressive. It’s also reassuring to know that they prioritize user privacy by preventing the connection between wallet addresses and email addresses. Great job!

  14. It’s impressive how SimpleID started as a passwordless Ethereum wallet and evolved into a full engagement platform. The use of encryption and isolation processes shows their commitment to protecting customer privacy. Looking forward to seeing their mobile push notification support!

  15. It’s great to see that SimpleID took a different path and ended up building a Web3 engagement platform. The fact that they are able to prevent the connection between a user’s wallet address and their email address while still storing both pieces of information is impressive. This ensures the privacy and security of their customers. Looking forward to seeing the mobile push notification support!

  16. This is really impressive! It’s great to see how SimpleID adapted their technology and found a solution to protect users’ privacy while still providing a convenient platform for engagement. The use of encryption and the passwordless wallet concept is genius. Keep up the good work!

  17. I think it’s great that SimpleID prioritized the privacy of their customers. It’s important to find innovative ways to protect user data and ensure that personal information remains secure. The use of encryption keys and a cloud Hardware Security Module shows their commitment to safeguarding customer information.

  18. How does SimpleID ensure the encryption key is secure if neither the company nor the customer has access to it?

    1. SimpleID ensures the security of the encryption key through a combination of authorization and identity services, coupled with a cloud Hardware Security Module (HSM). This allows for encryption without the need for a password, ensuring both the company and the customer have no access to the key. By utilizing this approach, SimpleID guarantees the privacy and security of their customers’ data.

  19. I believe that SimpleID’s approach to building a Web3 engagement platform is innovative and necessary in today’s digital landscape. Their emphasis on privacy protection through encryption and cryptographic isolation is commendable. It’s important for companies to prioritize customer privacy, and SimpleID seems to be setting a good example by ensuring that user data remains secure and separate. I look forward to seeing how their platform evolves to meet the changing needs of users.

  20. It’s impressive how SimpleID evolved from a non-custodial Ethereum wallet to a Web3 engagement platform. The focus on privacy and encryption is crucial in today’s digital world, and it’s great to see the innovative solutions being developed. Looking forward to the upcoming mobile push notification support!

  21. How does SimpleID ensure that the cryptographic isolation process truly protects user privacy when storing both wallet and email addresses? Can users trust their data to stay secure?

    1. SimpleID ensures that the cryptographic isolation process protects user privacy by utilizing advanced encryption methods and secure technologies. By design, the system prevents any entity, including us and our customers, from linking a user’s wallet address to their email address. This level of data protection instills trust in users that their information remains secure.

  22. I find it fascinating how the team behind SimpleID pivoted from building a non-custodial Ethereum wallet to creating an engagement platform. The emphasis on privacy and security in handling customer data is commendable, especially in today’s digital landscape where data protection is crucial. Looking forward to seeing how they continue to innovate in this space!

  23. It’s impressive to see how SimpleID pivoted from building a passwordless Ethereum wallet to creating an engagement platform. The focus on privacy and security is evident in their approach to encrypting data without being able to connect users’ wallet addresses to their email addresses. This level of protection is crucial for customer trust in email communications.

  24. It’s fascinating to read about the journey of building SimpleID and how it evolved into a Web3 engagement platform. Ensuring customer privacy is crucial, and the approach taken to keep wallet addresses separate from email addresses is commendable. Looking forward to seeing how this innovative technology develops further!

  25. As a user, I appreciate the focus on privacy and data security in SimpleID’s approach. It’s reassuring to know that my email and wallet address are kept separate through the encryption process. Looking forward to seeing more innovations in this space!

  26. It’s fascinating to see how SimpleID evolved from a passwordless wallet project to a comprehensive engagement platform. Protecting customer privacy with encrypted data is crucial in today’s digital landscape.

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