We‘ve been using S/MIME-based end-to-end email encryption at work for a long time now. It’s a bit of a hassle whenever new employees start, and every two years after that, but it’s manageable. Apart from that, it just works. Why is it never even considered by so many people?

More importantly, why is no-one working on making it less of a hassle? I know it doesn’t encrypt metadata, but it’s still so much better than most messaging services, let alone unencrypted, web-based email from a security perspective.

What problem does it solve for you?

Ensuring only the intended recipients can read mails I send? Not sure I understand the question

It's found in honest ignorance, e.g. wondering about the expected benefits when the other end is not themselves doing S/MIME