Let’s Encrypt Discontinues Expiration Reminder Emails: Key Changes in 2025
Let’s Encrypt, a nonprofit certificate authority (CA) known for providing free SSL/TLS certificates, has announced a major policy change. Beginning June 4, 2025, Let’s Encrypt will no longer send expiration notice emails to users. This move is part of the organization’s effort to enhance automation, reduce operational costs, and improve privacy protections.
For over seven years, Let’s Encrypt has played a crucial role in securing millions of websites, enabling HTTPS encryption at no cost. However, as automation has become more widespread, manual email notifications are becoming obsolete. Here’s what website owners need to know about this change and how to ensure uninterrupted SSL certificate renewals.
Why Is Let’s Encrypt Stopping Expiration Notice Emails?
1️⃣ Widespread Automation Reduces the Need for Notifications
Most modern web hosting providers, cloud services, and content management platforms now include automatic SSL renewal. This means that a significant portion of users no longer rely on email reminders to renew their certificates manually.
2️⃣ Cost Reduction for Let’s Encrypt
Sending millions of emails annually incurs tens of thousands of dollars in infrastructure and maintenance costs. By eliminating these notifications, Let’s Encrypt can reallocate resources toward improving its core services.
3️⃣ Strengthening Privacy and Data Security
Email notifications require Let’s Encrypt to store and manage millions of email addresses, posing a potential privacy risk. Discontinuing email reminders aligns with their privacy-first approach and commitment to minimizing stored user data.
4️⃣ Focus on New Security Innovations
By simplifying its operations, Let’s Encrypt can invest in new security enhancements, ensuring a more robust and scalable SSL ecosystem.
How Website Owners Can Track SSL Expirations Without Emails
Although Let’s Encrypt will no longer send reminders, there are alternative ways to monitor certificate expiration:
✅ 1. Use Automated SSL Renewal (Recommended)
- Ensure your hosting provider supports automatic certificate renewal. Most modern platforms like cPanel, Cloudflare, and Nginx handle this process seamlessly.
✅ 2. Utilize Free SSL Monitoring Services
If you manually manage your SSL certificates, consider using monitoring tools:
- Red Sift Certificates Lite – Free monitoring for up to 250 SSL certificates.
- TrackSSL – Provides expiration alerts and security vulnerability tracking.
- Datadog SSL Monitoring – Ideal for businesses needing advanced tracking.
✅ 3. Set Up Custom Email Alerts
For users who prefer direct notifications, configuring cron jobs or monitoring scripts can help automate email alerts when certificates approach expiration.
Final Thoughts: A Step Towards a More Secure and Efficient Future
While the discontinuation of expiration notice emails may initially seem inconvenient, it is ultimately a strategic move that benefits both Let’s Encrypt and its users. By embracing automation, cost efficiency, and stronger privacy practices, Let’s Encrypt continues to evolve as a leader in the SSL/TLS ecosystem.
Website owners should take proactive steps to ensure their certificates renew automatically or use third-party monitoring solutions. This ensures continuous HTTPS protection without disruption.
👉 Stay secure and adapt to the change – the future of SSL management is automation!
📌 This information was sourced from arstechnica.com.
