delete_email

THE RISK

Critical Risk

Why delete_email needs a policy

Although the description says 'move to trash', deletion of emails is considered destructive because it removes user data from the active mailbox. Even if technically recoverable from trash, the primary action is to remove the email, which is irreversible in normal operation.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'delete_email' and description states 'Delete an email (move to trash)'. Deletion of emails is an irreversible action that cannot be undone without access to recovered items.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access delete_email gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control delete_email

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Fastmail MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for delete_email:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "hide": [
    "delete_email"
  ]
}

delete_email disappears from the agent's tool list entirely, and any attempt to call it is denied. The rest of the server keeps working.

Create a free account and register Fastmail MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

RESTRICT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More Fastmail MCP Server tools

Destructive bulk_delete Delete multiple emails (move to trash) Write bulk_remove_labels Remove labels from multiple emails simultaneously Write remove_labels Remove specific labels (mailboxes) from an email Write reply_email Reply to an existing email with proper threading headers (In-Reply-To, References). Automa Write test_bulk_operations Test bulk operations by finding recent emails and performing safe operations (mark read/un Write add_labels Add labels (mailboxes) to an email without removing existing ones Write bulk_add_labels Add labels to multiple emails simultaneously Write bulk_mark_read Mark multiple emails as read/unread

All 38 Fastmail MCP Server tools →

Destructive tools on other servers

Android Forensics ADB MCP Server create_full_backup 0xarchive web3_revoke_key Frida Game Hacking MCP clear_scan cPanel MCP Server clear_spam_box

Go deeper

Critical-risk tools in Fastmail MCP Server → Every critical-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All critical-risk MCP tools → Every critical-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Blast radius → How much damage one compromised or confused agent can do — and how to bound it.
Tool call approval → Approval gates on individual tool calls: auto-allow, prompt, or deny.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about delete_email

What does the delete_email tool do? +

Delete an email (move to trash). It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Fastmail MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.

How do I enforce a policy on delete_email? +

Register the Fastmail MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for delete_email: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Fastmail MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is delete_email? +

delete_email is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.

Can I rate-limit delete_email? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the delete_email rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block delete_email completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for delete_email. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides delete_email? +

delete_email is provided by the Fastmail MCP Server MCP server (madllama25/fastmail-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every Fastmail MCP Server tool call.

Start from Fastmail MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →