Tuta becomes the first quantum-resistant email service with new hybrid protocol

Tuta claims to be the first secure email service to offer post-quantum protection. Here's why it's a necessity for keeping your emails safe.

Mar 13, 2024 - 13:50

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Tuta becomes the first quantum-resistant email service with new hybrid protocol

As of March 11, 2024, German provider Tuta, formerly known as Tutanota, launched TutaCrypt. It's a new hybrid protocol that combines conventional encryption and quantum-resistant algorithms. The popular secure email provider claims to be the first to offer post-quantum protections.

While quantum computers may still be far from mass usage, our data is already at risk. That's why security firms across the board, including VPN services and messaging apps like Signal, are boosting their cryptography games in preparation for the day when quantum computers can finally crack traditional encryption methods (Q-Day). TutaCrypt is another step forward in that direction. Plus, since it's fully open-source, anyone and everyone can check the code to verify it's doing what it says on the tin (and nothing more or less).

The urgency of post-quantum encryption

"At Tuta Mail, we see ourselves as pioneers in secure communication, and with TutaCrypt we are setting standards for the communication of the future. We are proud of having achieved such an amazing milestone on the road to becoming quantum-safe," Arne Möhle, CEO of Tuta Mail, told me.

Tuta launched under the name of Tutanota in 2014 as one of the first email services to protect users' communication with end-to-end encryption. Along its journey, the provider added a secure calendar and even changed its name. Now, it claims to be the first email app to implement post-quantum cryptography.

Möhle noted that, despite Q-Day still being a ways off, the threat of so-called "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" attacks made the switch to quantum-resistant protocols a priority for the team.

"Quantum-safe encryption is not just an option, but a necessity in a world where threats are constantly growing," he told me. "We focus on the privacy of our users, and with our quantum-safe encryption TutaCrypt, we can now protect their data even better."