[MichaelVangard]

Most emails are still going through servers owned by Microsoft or Google, so what does self-hosting email accomplish in reality? Some government entity likely has warrant-less access to most of your emails regardless. I like email as a way to communicate, but speaking pragmatically, it’s just not a secure means of communication in 2022.

[RockingGoodNite]

My server uses encrypted connections and my own certificate. If I send an email to a family member on my server, no one on the Internet can read its contents. If I add a recipient and FAANG or Microsoft then yes it wouldn't matter. If that is truly important, we can learn to encrypt emails locally first.

What does self-hosting accomplish? I'd say it's important in the way that having HAM radio operators is important.

[Johnny555]

what does self-hosting email accomplish in reality

Well, for one thing it prevents Google from building a profile of my online shopping behavior based on my email receipts. Also avoids them knowing every time I go on a trip based on booking confirmation emails.

Like most people, I'm not trying to hide from the government.

[MichaelVangard]

Using a 3rd party email host that isn't Google has the same effect with a lot less effort. I switched to FastMail for this reason, even if Google claims not to scan paid Gmail accounts for marketing purposes.