I can tell you I use it wayyyy more than the Tweet, Like or other "social media" share buttons.

there's one built into my mobile browser that i use quite often, including emailing urls to myself.
it also has share to sms which i also use often.

I do like to email articles to individual friends, but without a privacy policy I'm reluctant to use the feature, because I feel it might put friends on mailing lists that they didn't opt into. I generally copy and paste the url and article title, along with a few comments, and I send an email that way.

I can tell you I use it wayyyy more than the Tweet, Like or other "social media" share buttons.

Emailing is a much more focused way to send information to someone... It also does not assume that my friends are only on social platforms (and many of them are not), and it's often a way I use to stay in touch.

I do think the feature is a good one to have on a site... probably helpful also to briefly indicate your privacy policy.

I generally copy and paste the url and article title, along with a few comments, and I send an email that way.

Likewise. There is something about those buttons that has me wondering if I have enough tinfoil for a new hat.

Apparently, we're not the only ones who worry.

I just received such a forwarded email this morning. The email company whose software managed this one is experienced enough to include the following boilerplate in their message...

Please Note: You have NOT been added to any email lists.

They then provide many buttons for me to subscribe if I want to.