OK, you're right. You can't trust anyone. > Note that anonymity is earned by you via the steps you take to open and use that email account. That's what I mean

OK, you're right. You can't trust anyone. > Note that anonymity is earned by you via the steps you take to open and use that email account. That's what I meant by "unless you trust your OPSEC enough". However, not all of us are " activist[s] whose life would be threatened if ... messages got out". So I think there is some value in providers who will protect you, if your OPSEC is weak. If nothing else, it's failsafe. Like climbing with a rope.