afzender

Afzender is een Dutch term that refers to the person or organization that originates a message, shipment, or communication. The afzender is the counterpart of the ontvanger (the recipient) and is often used across postal, telecommunication, and digital contexts. In everyday use, the afzender identifies who sent something and can include name, address, and contact information.

Etymology and scope: The word combines af- (away) with zenden (to send), literally meaning the one who sends away. While the concept originated in postal and courier systems, it is now common in electronic messaging, advertising, and other forms of communication. The term can refer to an individual sender, a company, or an automated system that initiates a message.

Postal and logistical context: In mail and parcels, the afzender provides the origin of the item and is often printed on the outside of the package or letter as the return address. This information is important for handling, tracking, and potential returns or inquiries about the sender.

Digital and messaging context: In e-mail and other digital communications, the afzender corresponds to the sender’s identity, commonly shown in the From field. However, the displayed afzender can be spoofed, so technical measures such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are used to verify authenticity and protect against fraud.

Privacy and implications: The afzender reveals the origin of a message or shipment and may involve personal data. In many jurisdictions, processing afzender information is subject to privacy and data-protection rules. Understanding who the afzender is helps recipients assess trust and legitimacy.