data, allowing users to analyze the statistics of their email performance. Privacy issues Email tracking is used by individuals including email marketers, spammers and phishers to verify that emails are actually read by recipients, that email addresses are valid, and that the content of emails has made it past spam filters. Such tracking can also reveal if emails get forwarded, but who emails get forwarded to are usually not noted. About 24.7% of all emails track their recipients, but no more than half of the users are aware of being tracked. When used maliciously, it can be used to collect confidential information about businesses and individuals and to create more effective phishing schemes. Common data that can be accessed from email tracking includes, but is not limited to, the IP address, client device properties (desktop or mobile, browser type and version), and a date/time stamp of when the email was read. The tracking mechanisms employed are typically first-party cookies and web beacons. HP email tracking scandal In the U.S. Congressional Inquiry investigating the HP pretexting scandal it was revealed that HP security used an email tracking service called ReadNotify.com to investigate boardroom leaks. The California attorney general's office has said that this practice was not part of the pretexting charges. HP said they consider email tracking to be legitimate and will continue using it. See also Email privacy Spy pixel Document automation in supply chain management & logistics Bounce message References Email Tracking