Processing electronic mail includes receiving an electronic mail having a read receipt request and determining, using a processor, that the electronic mail includes a read receipt distribution list. The read receipt distribution list specifies at least one sender-defined user including a subset of at least one recipient of the electronic mail. Using the processor, a read receipt is sent to the sender of the electronic mail and to each user specified on the read receipt distribution list responsive to detecting an opening of the electronic mail by at least one recipient of the electronic mail.