Out of 23 posts in industrialized countries, the U.S. Postal Service is one of the few remaining posts not offering an eMailbox solution to its citizens. And while there are private sector technology industry standouts in the U.S. that have developed widely popular e-mail and secure storage services, their business models sacrifice consumer privacy in the interest of ad-based revenue generation.
In an increasingly digital world, it may make sense for the Postal Service to offer eMailbox services in addition to traditional delivery. A consumer would also be able to sign up for an accompanying highly secure data storage area service called the eLockbox, which would provide added security for the archiving of important legal and personal documents with anytime, anywhere secure access. Today many electronic documents, especially financial records, reside primarily on the banks or billers Web site and not with the consumer.
Loading ...The Office of Inspector General Risk Analysis Research Center’s new paper eMailbox and eLockbox: Opportunities for the Postal Service (Report Number RARC-WP-12-001) explores these concepts. This white paper is the fourth paper in the Digital series, and presents a case for offering an eMailbox and eLockbox. Some of the paper’s findings include:
1. As communication channels become increasingly consumer-centric, the eMailbox and eLockbox would empower individuals to transition to full electronic delivery at their own pace.
2. The linking of one’s physical identity and address to the eMailbox address will provide high identity assurance necessary for transactions, which require privacy, confidentiality, authentication and non-repudiation such as for legal and financial correspondence.
3. The Postal Service, offers protection from theft, interference, fraud and forgery under federal law, utilizing two law enforcement organizations (the Office of Inspector General and the Inspection Service).
4. Advertising mail would only be allowed from entities registered with the Postal eMailbox system and with the consent of the receiver.
Together, the concept of the eMailbox and eLockbox services reflects a natural extension of the Postal Service’s role in the physical world as the trusted custodian of the nation’s address management system. The product provides a digital service linking American households and businesses in a trusted and verifiable way, while empowering consumers to determine the pace and extent of the service’s use. This product suite should be further developed as the organization implements new digital services.
What do you think? Would you use a Postal eMailbox?
This blog is hosted by the OIG’s Risk Analysis Research Center.
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Wow, what a discussion! I’ve been suggesting this sort of thing for several years to everyone I know, it just seems like the common sense thing to do. Email isn’t something to be afraid of or shy away from, it’s not going away. I would think that the USPS reputation, “neither rain nor…” could apply to electronic use as well, with the security and service that would have to come with this kind of idea. It seems to me that the crux of the problem is that the USPS is a government agency, which has so many rules and regulations concerning competing in the open market and stuff, however they already do that with Fed Ex, UPS and others with physical package delivery, so why not electronically with Google, Yahoo and the others? Think of the revenue it could generate. Perhaps they should hire some of the internet gurus to help them get started. As for postal employees who may lose their jobs, I am truly sorry, this very thing happened at my place of employment, and I don’t know how to stop it with the way the world is going. Almost all of us will be faced with this problem going forward, as technology changes and makes us change with it.
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This eMailbox initiative captures the market that is comfortable with PCs, Tablets, and SmartPhones….and that is what the USPS must do to stay current, not reduce service and delivery speed as proposed by the Inspector General to meet $ shortfalls. But what about those who don’t have, are not sophisticated at using computers, or don’t trust the security of a home computer transaction.
What if the USPS could reduce transportation costs including fuel, trucks, air cargo and INCREASE delivery speed? They could shed cross-country trucks, reduce vehicle maintainance, and “green up” the environment. How about this:
The newest ATMs have capabilities to read checks, ask the customer if the read is correct, and give him a receipt including a photocopy for the transaction. Why can’t the USPS use the same technolgy/equipment to accept a letter, check, legal document, etc, have the customer type in the address (or read the address if it’s in the document header) and print out a receipt/copy for the customer. The delivery then transmitted electronically to either the nearest post office for printing/delivery, or if this eMailbox comes into being, to the recipients email account.
These USPS “ATMs” could be in every 24 hour boxstore like WalMart, Target, and in Supermarkets, drugstores, and of course, local post offices. So instead of buying a stamp, the user puts in his coins or credit/debit card, completes his transactions, and walks away with his receipt.
Ben Hirschenfang
Orlando, Florida
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Its an old saying, but it applies:
“A day late, and a dollar short.”
My opinion has always been that the USPS should be the leader in electronic communication.
Now the saying is neither rain nor snow… or bad internet connection shall stop… well you get the idea.
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I think eMailboxes are a brilliant idea. I really hope this takes off and becomes real. In fact, why not go all the way and compete in the social media market. Make the eMailboxes customizable and allow download content. And allow businesses to provide content that could be used to decorate the virtual boxes. There is a market for a ‘safe’ alternative to the social media sites. The USPS could capitalize.
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This needs to be free to the public and subsidized by advertising, just like web sites use user page views to set ad rates.
It’s foolish to think that people will pay for a secure email box, when you can get a terrabyte of storage free at google.
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Philip says,
I think this is a great idea and the postal service should get in on the advertising dollars. Why leave the one thing out that will bring in the much needed cash to be able to hire more people. The email business model is free email service, but includes getting ad dollars.
So what are you thinking, if you don’t compete.
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