diff --git a/lib/API/API.php b/lib/API/API.php
index 3c13d8e2f0..ef65f9dfd5 100644
--- a/lib/API/API.php
+++ b/lib/API/API.php
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API;
 
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
+
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class API {
-  static function JSON() {
-    return new \MailPoet\API\JSON\API();
+  static function JSON(AccessControl $access_control) {
+    return new \MailPoet\API\JSON\API($access_control);
   }
 
   static function MP($version) {
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/API.php b/lib/API/JSON/API.php
index 3d0b1ba03a..5df022d8f8 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/API.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/API.php
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <?php
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON;
 
-use MailPoet\Config\Env;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Util\Helpers;
 use MailPoet\Util\Security;
 use MailPoet\WP\Hooks;
@@ -19,9 +19,11 @@ class API {
   private $_available_api_versions = array(
       'v1'
   );
+  private $access_control;
   const CURRENT_VERSION = 'v1';
 
-  function __construct() {
+  function __construct(AccessControl $access_control) {
+    $this->access_control = $access_control;
     foreach($this->_available_api_versions as $available_api_version) {
       $this->addEndpointNamespace(
         sprintf('%s\%s', __NAMESPACE__, $available_api_version),
@@ -130,17 +132,11 @@ class API {
 
       // check the accessibility of the requested endpoint's action
       // by default, an endpoint's action is considered "private"
-      $permissions = $endpoint->permissions;
-      if(array_key_exists($this->_request_method, $permissions) === false ||
-         $permissions[$this->_request_method] !== Access::ALL
-      ) {
-        if($this->checkPermissions() === false) {
-          $error_message = __('You do not have the required permissions.', 'mailpoet');
-          $error_response = $this->createErrorResponse(Error::FORBIDDEN, $error_message, Response::STATUS_FORBIDDEN);
-          return $error_response;
-        }
+      if(!$this->validatePermissions($this->_request_method, $endpoint->permissions)) {
+        $error_message = __('You do not have the required permissions.', 'mailpoet');
+        $error_response = $this->createErrorResponse(Error::FORBIDDEN, $error_message, Response::STATUS_FORBIDDEN);
+        return $error_response;
       }
-
       $response = $endpoint->{$this->_request_method}($this->_request_data);
       return $response;
     } catch(\Exception $e) {
@@ -150,8 +146,11 @@ class API {
     }
   }
 
-  function checkPermissions() {
-    return current_user_can(Env::$required_permission);
+  function validatePermissions($request_method, $permissions) {
+    // validate method permission if defined, otherwise validate global permission
+    return(!empty($permissions['methods'][$request_method])) ?
+      $this->access_control->validatePermission($permissions['methods'][$request_method]) :
+      $this->access_control->validatePermission($permissions['global']);
   }
 
   function checkToken() {
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/Access.php b/lib/API/JSON/Access.php
deleted file mode 100644
index 28beab513e..0000000000
--- a/lib/API/JSON/Access.php
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-<?php
-namespace MailPoet\API\JSON;
-
-if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
-
-final class Access {
-  const ALL = 'all';
-
-  private function __construct() {
-
-  }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/Endpoint.php b/lib/API/JSON/Endpoint.php
index 975dcc90f4..e75a3ded43 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/Endpoint.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/Endpoint.php
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON;
 
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
+
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 abstract class Endpoint {
-
-  public $permissions = array();
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => array(AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS),
+    'methods' => array()
+  );
 
   function successResponse(
     $data = array(), $meta = array(), $status = Response::STATUS_OK
@@ -18,7 +23,7 @@ abstract class Endpoint {
   ) {
     if(empty($errors)) {
       $errors = array(
-        Error::UNKNOWN  => __('An unknown error occurred.', 'mailpoet')
+        Error::UNKNOWN => __('An unknown error occurred.', 'mailpoet')
       );
     }
     return new ErrorResponse($errors, $meta, $status);
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/AutomatedLatestContent.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/AutomatedLatestContent.php
index 74d0ac4a29..e28be1642e 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/AutomatedLatestContent.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/AutomatedLatestContent.php
@@ -1,12 +1,18 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\WP\Posts as WPPosts;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class AutomatedLatestContent extends APIEndpoint {
   public $ALC;
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS
+  );
 
   function __construct() {
     $this->ALC = new \MailPoet\Newsletter\AutomatedLatestContent();
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/CustomFields.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/CustomFields.php
index 529e7d476a..823f0552a5 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/CustomFields.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/CustomFields.php
@@ -1,12 +1,19 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Models\CustomField;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class CustomFields extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_FORMS
+  );
+
   function getAll() {
     $collection = CustomField::orderByAsc('created_at')->findMany();
     $custom_fields = array_map(function($custom_field) {
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Forms.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Forms.php
index 179d805836..4789b728be 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Forms.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Forms.php
@@ -1,17 +1,23 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
-
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
+use MailPoet\Form\Renderer as FormRenderer;
+use MailPoet\Form\Util;
+use MailPoet\Listing;
 use MailPoet\Models\Form;
 use MailPoet\Models\StatisticsForms;
-use MailPoet\Form\Renderer as FormRenderer;
-use MailPoet\Listing;
-use MailPoet\Form\Util;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class Forms extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_FORMS
+  );
+
   function get($data = array()) {
     $id = (isset($data['id']) ? (int)$data['id'] : false);
     $form = Form::findOne($id);
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/ImportExport.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/ImportExport.php
index 8e4f3b89c0..62ff5dead0 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/ImportExport.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/ImportExport.php
@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
 <?php
-namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
-use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 
-use MailPoet\Subscribers\ImportExport\Import\MailChimp;
+namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
+use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Models\Segment;
+use MailPoet\Subscribers\ImportExport\Import\MailChimp;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class ImportExport extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SUBSCRIBERS
+  );
+
   function getMailChimpLists($data) {
     try {
       $mailChimp = new MailChimp($data['api_key']);
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/MP2Migrator.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/MP2Migrator.php
index 67d851ae21..aa3bd41d75 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/MP2Migrator.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/MP2Migrator.php
@@ -1,18 +1,24 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class MP2Migrator extends APIEndpoint {
-  
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS
+  );
+
   public function __construct() {
     $this->MP2Migrator = new \MailPoet\Config\MP2Migrator();
   }
-  
+
   /**
    * Import end point
-   * 
+   *
    * @param object $data
    * @return object
    */
@@ -26,10 +32,10 @@ class MP2Migrator extends APIEndpoint {
       ));
     }
   }
-  
+
   /**
    * Stop import end point
-   * 
+   *
    * @param object $data
    * @return object
    */
@@ -43,10 +49,10 @@ class MP2Migrator extends APIEndpoint {
       ));
     }
   }
-  
+
   /**
    * Skip import end point
-   * 
+   *
    * @param object $data
    * @return object
    */
@@ -60,5 +66,5 @@ class MP2Migrator extends APIEndpoint {
       ));
     }
   }
-  
+
 }
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Mailer.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Mailer.php
index 4400453299..872ac860ff 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Mailer.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Mailer.php
@@ -1,12 +1,19 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Mailer\MailerLog;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class Mailer extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS
+  );
+
   function send($data = array()) {
     try {
       $mailer = new \MailPoet\Mailer\Mailer(
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/NewsletterTemplates.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/NewsletterTemplates.php
index 69c4f5a4d5..fae112eaf1 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/NewsletterTemplates.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/NewsletterTemplates.php
@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
-
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterTemplate;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class NewsletterTemplates extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS
+  );
+
   function get($data = array()) {
     $id = (isset($data['id']) ? (int)$data['id'] : false);
     $template = NewsletterTemplate::findOne($id);
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Newsletters.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Newsletters.php
index 34d52060ab..b9bf43c33f 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Newsletters.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Newsletters.php
@@ -1,17 +1,19 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
 
 use Carbon\Carbon;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Listing;
+use MailPoet\Models\Newsletter;
+use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterOption;
+use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterOptionField;
+use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterSegment;
+use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterTemplate;
 use MailPoet\Models\SendingQueue;
 use MailPoet\Models\Setting;
-use MailPoet\Models\Newsletter;
-use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterTemplate;
-use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterSegment;
-use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterOptionField;
-use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterOption;
 use MailPoet\Models\Subscriber;
 use MailPoet\Newsletter\Renderer\Renderer;
 use MailPoet\Newsletter\Scheduler\Scheduler;
@@ -23,6 +25,10 @@ if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 require_once(ABSPATH . 'wp-includes/pluggable.php');
 
 class Newsletters extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS
+  );
+
   function get($data = array()) {
     $id = (isset($data['id']) ? (int)$data['id'] : false);
     $newsletter = Newsletter::findOne($id);
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Segments.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Segments.php
index 2ef6a07b89..6c8000564a 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Segments.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Segments.php
@@ -1,15 +1,21 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
-
-use MailPoet\Models\Segment;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Listing;
+use MailPoet\Models\Segment;
 use MailPoet\Segments\WP;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class Segments extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SEGMENTS
+  );
+
   function get($data = array()) {
     $id = (isset($data['id']) ? (int)$data['id'] : false);
     $segment = Segment::findOne($id);
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/SendingQueue.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/SendingQueue.php
index e155cbd0cc..5484e004a5 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/SendingQueue.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/SendingQueue.php
@@ -1,18 +1,24 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
-
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Mailer\Mailer;
 use MailPoet\Models\Newsletter;
+use MailPoet\Models\SendingQueue as SendingQueueModel;
 use MailPoet\Models\Subscriber;
 use MailPoet\Newsletter\Scheduler\Scheduler;
-use MailPoet\Models\SendingQueue as SendingQueueModel;
 use MailPoet\Util\Helpers;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class SendingQueue extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS
+  );
+
   function add($data = array()) {
     $newsletter_id = (isset($data['newsletter_id'])
       ? (int)$data['newsletter_id']
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Services.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Services.php
index 7885e501ca..9fc447338f 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Services.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Services.php
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
 
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Config\Installer;
 use MailPoet\Services\Bridge;
-use MailPoet\Util\License\License;
 use MailPoet\WP\DateTime;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
@@ -13,6 +14,9 @@ if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 class Services extends APIEndpoint {
   public $bridge;
   public $date_time;
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS
+  );
 
   function __construct() {
     $this->bridge = new Bridge();
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Settings.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Settings.php
index 1a2093c4ed..1db60103da 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Settings.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Settings.php
@@ -1,24 +1,31 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
 
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Models\Setting;
 use MailPoet\Services\Bridge;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class Settings extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS
+  );
+
   function get() {
     return $this->successResponse(Setting::getAll());
   }
 
   function set($settings = array()) {
     if(empty($settings)) {
-      return $this->badRequest(array(
-        APIError::BAD_REQUEST =>
-          __('You have not specified any settings to be saved.', 'mailpoet')
-      ));
+      return $this->badRequest(
+        array(
+          APIError::BAD_REQUEST =>
+            __('You have not specified any settings to be saved.', 'mailpoet')
+        ));
     } else {
       foreach($settings as $name => $value) {
         Setting::setValue($name, $value);
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Setup.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Setup.php
index d0f6989226..1bf0647748 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Setup.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Setup.php
@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
 
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Config\Activator;
 use MailPoet\WP\Hooks;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class Setup extends APIEndpoint {
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS
+  );
+
   function reset() {
     try {
       $activator = new Activator();
diff --git a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Subscribers.php b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Subscribers.php
index 38ddefb9af..323d8f9d81 100644
--- a/lib/API/JSON/v1/Subscribers.php
+++ b/lib/API/JSON/v1/Subscribers.php
@@ -1,21 +1,22 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
+
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Error as APIError;
-use MailPoet\API\JSON\Access as APIAccess;
-
-use MailPoet\Form\Util\FieldNameObfuscator;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Listing;
-use MailPoet\Models\Subscriber;
+use MailPoet\Form\Util\FieldNameObfuscator;
 use MailPoet\Models\Form;
 use MailPoet\Models\StatisticsForms;
+use MailPoet\Models\Subscriber;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class Subscribers extends APIEndpoint {
-
   public $permissions = array(
-    'subscribe' => APIAccess::ALL
+    'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SUBSCRIBERS,
+    'methods' => array('subscribe' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION)
   );
 
   function get($data = array()) {
diff --git a/lib/Config/AccessControl.php b/lib/Config/AccessControl.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..97a142140d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/Config/AccessControl.php
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace MailPoet\Config;
+
+use MailPoet\WP\Hooks as WPHooks;
+
+if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
+require_once(ABSPATH . 'wp-includes/pluggable.php');
+
+class AccessControl {
+  const PERMISSION_ACCESS_PLUGIN_ADMIN = 'access_plugin_admin';
+  const PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS = 'manage_settings';
+  const PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS = 'manage_emails';
+  const PERMISSION_MANAGE_SUBSCRIBERS = 'manage_subscribers';
+  const PERMISSION_MANAGE_FORMS = 'manage_forms';
+  const PERMISSION_MANAGE_SEGMENTS = 'manage_segments';
+  const PERMISSION_UPDATE_PLUGIN = 'update_plugin';
+  const NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION = 'no_access_restriction';
+
+  public $permissions;
+  public $current_user_roles;
+  public $user_capabilities;
+
+  function __construct() {
+    $this->permissions = $this->getDefaultPermissions();
+    $this->user_roles = $this->getUserRoles();
+    $this->user_capabilities = $this->getUserCapabilities();
+  }
+
+  private function getDefaultPermissions() {
+    return array(
+      self::PERMISSION_ACCESS_PLUGIN_ADMIN => WPHooks::applyFilters(
+        'mailpoet_permission_access_plugin_admin',
+        array(
+          'administrator',
+          'editor'
+        )
+      ),
+      self::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS => WPHooks::applyFilters(
+        'mailpoet_permission_manage_settings',
+        array(
+          'administrator'
+        )
+      ),
+      self::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS => WPHooks::applyFilters(
+        'mailpoet_permission_manage_emails',
+        array(
+          'administrator',
+          'editor'
+        )
+      ),
+      self::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SUBSCRIBERS => WPHooks::applyFilters(
+        'mailpoet_permission_manage_subscribers',
+        array(
+          'administrator'
+        )
+      ),
+      self::PERMISSION_MANAGE_FORMS => WPHooks::applyFilters(
+        'mailpoet_permission_manage_forms',
+        array(
+          'administrator'
+        )
+      ),
+      self::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SEGMENTS => WPHooks::applyFilters(
+        'mailpoet_permission_manage_segments',
+        array(
+          'administrator'
+        )
+      ),
+      self::PERMISSION_UPDATE_PLUGIN => WPHooks::applyFilters(
+        'mailpoet_permission_update_plugin',
+        array(
+          'administrator'
+        )
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+
+  function getUserRoles() {
+    $user = wp_get_current_user();
+    return $user->roles;
+  }
+
+  function getUserCapabilities() {
+    $user = wp_get_current_user();
+    return array_keys($user->allcaps);
+  }
+
+  function getUserFirstCapability() {
+    return (!empty($this->user_capabilities)) ?
+      $this->user_capabilities[0] :
+      null;
+  }
+
+  function validatePermission($permission) {
+    if($permission === self::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION) return true;
+    if(empty($this->permissions[$permission])) return false;
+    $permitted_roles = array_intersect(
+      $this->user_roles,
+      $this->permissions[$permission]
+    );
+    return (!empty($permitted_roles));
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/Config/Activator.php b/lib/Config/Activator.php
index e1834203a6..5b7e757061 100644
--- a/lib/Config/Activator.php
+++ b/lib/Config/Activator.php
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Config;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class Activator {
-  static function activate() {
+  function activate() {
     $migrator = new Migrator();
     $migrator->up();
 
@@ -14,8 +15,8 @@ class Activator {
     update_option('mailpoet_db_version', Env::$version);
   }
 
-  static function deactivate() {
+  function deactivate() {
     $migrator = new Migrator();
     $migrator->down();
   }
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/Config/Changelog.php b/lib/Config/Changelog.php
index 59295e0beb..1bf9fbfb4f 100644
--- a/lib/Config/Changelog.php
+++ b/lib/Config/Changelog.php
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Config;
+
 use MailPoet\Models\Setting;
 use MailPoet\Util\Url;
 
 class Changelog {
-  function __construct() {
-  }
-
   function init() {
     $doing_ajax = (bool)(defined('DOING_AJAX') && DOING_AJAX);
 
diff --git a/lib/Config/Env.php b/lib/Config/Env.php
index e7619ca087..56092b6c34 100644
--- a/lib/Config/Env.php
+++ b/lib/Config/Env.php
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Config;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
@@ -31,7 +32,6 @@ class Env {
   static $db_collation;
   static $db_charset_collate;
   static $db_timezone_offset;
-  static $required_permission = 'manage_options';
 
   static function init($file, $version) {
     global $wpdb;
diff --git a/lib/Config/Initializer.php b/lib/Config/Initializer.php
index 8b66c4a71d..13d95d0e3c 100644
--- a/lib/Config/Initializer.php
+++ b/lib/Config/Initializer.php
@@ -13,17 +13,18 @@ if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 require_once(ABSPATH . 'wp-admin/includes/plugin.php');
 
 class Initializer {
-
   const UNABLE_TO_CONNECT = 'Unable to connect to the database (the database is unable to open a file or folder), the connection is likely not configured correctly. Please read our [link] Knowledge Base article [/link] for steps how to resolve it.';
   const SOLVE_DB_ISSUE_URL = 'http://beta.docs.mailpoet.com/article/200-solving-database-connection-issues';
 
   protected $plugin_initialized = false;
+  private $access_control;
 
   function __construct($params = array(
     'file' => '',
     'version' => '1.0.0'
   )) {
     Env::init($params['file'], $params['version']);
+    $this->access_control = new AccessControl();
   }
 
   function init() {
@@ -135,7 +136,11 @@ class Initializer {
 
     // if current db version and plugin version differ
     if(version_compare($current_db_version, Env::$version) !== 0) {
-      Activator::activate();
+      if(!$this->access_control->validatePermission(AccessControl::PERMISSION_UPDATE_PLUGIN)) {
+        throw new \Exception(__('You do not have permission to activate/deactivate MailPoet plugin.', 'mailpoet'));
+      }
+      $activator = new Activator();
+      $activator->activate();
     }
   }
 
@@ -185,7 +190,7 @@ class Initializer {
   }
 
   function setupMenu() {
-    $menu = new Menu($this->renderer, Env::$assets_url);
+    $menu = new Menu($this->renderer, Env::$assets_url, $this->access_control);
     $menu->init();
   }
 
@@ -218,11 +223,11 @@ class Initializer {
   }
 
   function setupJSONAPI() {
-    API\API::JSON()->init();
+    API\API::JSON($this->access_control)->init();
   }
 
   function setupRouter() {
-    $router = new Router\Router();
+    $router = new Router\Router($this->access_control);
     $router->init();
   }
 
@@ -246,7 +251,7 @@ class Initializer {
   function handleFailedInitialization($exception) {
     // Check if we are able to add pages at this point
     if(function_exists('wp_get_current_user')) {
-      Menu::addErrorPage();
+      Menu::addErrorPage($this->access_control);
     }
     return WPNotice::displayError($exception);
   }
diff --git a/lib/Config/MP2Migrator.php b/lib/Config/MP2Migrator.php
index 289be0bc66..9ef7fed8c6 100644
--- a/lib/Config/MP2Migrator.php
+++ b/lib/Config/MP2Migrator.php
@@ -187,8 +187,9 @@ class MP2Migrator {
    *
    */
   private function eraseMP3Data() {
-    Activator::deactivate();
-    Activator::activate();
+    $activator = new Activator();
+    $activator->deactivate();
+    $activator->activate();
 
     $this->deleteSegments();
     $this->resetMigrationCounters();
diff --git a/lib/Config/Menu.php b/lib/Config/Menu.php
index 2edcc1d5b1..521a598345 100644
--- a/lib/Config/Menu.php
+++ b/lib/Config/Menu.php
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Config;
 
 use MailPoet\Cron\CronTrigger;
@@ -25,9 +26,18 @@ use MailPoet\WP\Readme;
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class Menu {
-  function __construct($renderer, $assets_url) {
+  const MAIN_PAGE_SLUG = 'mailpoet-newsletters';
+
+  public $renderer;
+  public $assets_url;
+  private $access_control;
+  private $subscribers_over_limit;
+
+  function __construct($renderer, $assets_url, AccessControl $access_control) {
     $this->renderer = $renderer;
     $this->assets_url = $assets_url;
+    $this->access_control = $access_control;
+    $this->user_capability = $this->access_control->getUserFirstCapability();
     $subscribers_feature = new SubscribersFeature();
     $this->subscribers_over_limit = $subscribers_feature->check();
     $this->checkMailPoetAPIKey();
@@ -45,134 +55,204 @@ class Menu {
   }
 
   function setup() {
+    if(!$this->access_control->validatePermission(AccessControl::PERMISSION_ACCESS_PLUGIN_ADMIN)) return;
     if(self::isOnMailPoetAdminPage()) {
       do_action('mailpoet_conflict_resolver_styles');
       do_action('mailpoet_conflict_resolver_scripts');
     }
 
-    $main_page_slug = 'mailpoet-newsletters';
-
+    // Main page
     add_menu_page(
       'MailPoet',
       'MailPoet',
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      $main_page_slug,
+      $this->user_capability,
+      self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
       null,
       $this->assets_url . '/img/menu_icon.png',
       30
     );
 
-    $newsletters_page = add_submenu_page(
-      $main_page_slug,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Emails', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Emails', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      $main_page_slug,
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'newsletters'
-      )
-    );
+    // Emails page
+    if($this->access_control->validatePermission(AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS)) {
+      $newsletters_page = add_submenu_page(
+        self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Emails', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Emails', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'newsletters'
+        )
+      );
 
-    // add limit per page to screen options
-    add_action('load-' . $newsletters_page, function() {
-      add_screen_option('per_page', array(
-        'label' => _x(
-          'Number of newsletters per page',
-          'newsletters per page (screen options)',
-          'mailpoet'
-        ),
-        'option' => 'mailpoet_newsletters_per_page'
-      ));
-    });
+      // add limit per page to screen options
+      add_action('load-' . $newsletters_page, function() {
+        add_screen_option('per_page', array(
+          'label' => _x(
+            'Number of newsletters per page',
+            'newsletters per page (screen options)',
+            'mailpoet'
+          ),
+          'option' => 'mailpoet_newsletters_per_page'
+        ));
+      });
 
-    $forms_page = add_submenu_page(
-      $main_page_slug,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Forms', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Forms', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-forms',
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'forms'
-      )
-    );
-    // add limit per page to screen options
-    add_action('load-' . $forms_page, function() {
-      add_screen_option('per_page', array(
-        'label' => _x(
-          'Number of forms per page',
-          'forms per page (screen options)',
-          'mailpoet'
-        ),
-        'option' => 'mailpoet_forms_per_page'
-      ));
-    });
+      // newsletter editor
+      add_submenu_page(
+        true,
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Newsletter', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Newsletter Editor', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        'mailpoet-newsletter-editor',
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'newletterEditor'
+        )
+      );
+    }
 
-    $subscribers_page = add_submenu_page(
-      $main_page_slug,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Subscribers', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Subscribers', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-subscribers',
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'subscribers'
-      )
-    );
-    // add limit per page to screen options
-    add_action('load-' . $subscribers_page, function() {
-      add_screen_option('per_page', array(
-        'label' => _x(
-          'Number of subscribers per page',
-          'subscribers per page (screen options)',
-          'mailpoet'
-        ),
-        'option' => 'mailpoet_subscribers_per_page'
-      ));
-    });
+    // Forms page
+    if($this->access_control->validatePermission(AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_FORMS)) {
+      $forms_page = add_submenu_page(
+        self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Forms', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Forms', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        'mailpoet-forms',
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'forms'
+        )
+      );
 
-    $segments_page = add_submenu_page(
-      $main_page_slug,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Lists', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Lists', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-segments',
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'segments'
-      )
-    );
+      // add limit per page to screen options
+      add_action('load-' . $forms_page, function() {
+        add_screen_option('per_page', array(
+          'label' => _x(
+            'Number of forms per page',
+            'forms per page (screen options)',
+            'mailpoet'
+          ),
+          'option' => 'mailpoet_forms_per_page'
+        ));
+      });
 
-    // add limit per page to screen options
-    add_action('load-' . $segments_page, function() {
-      add_screen_option('per_page', array(
-        'label' => _x(
-          'Number of segments per page',
-          'segments per page (screen options)',
-          'mailpoet'
-        ),
-        'option' => 'mailpoet_segments_per_page'
-      ));
-    });
+      // form editor
+      add_submenu_page(
+        true,
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Form Editor', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Form Editor', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        'mailpoet-form-editor',
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'formEditor'
+        )
+      );
+    }
 
+    // Subscribers page
+    if($this->access_control->validatePermission(AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SUBSCRIBERS)) {
+      $subscribers_page = add_submenu_page(
+        self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Subscribers', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Subscribers', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        'mailpoet-subscribers',
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'subscribers'
+        )
+      );
+
+      // add limit per page to screen options
+      add_action('load-' . $subscribers_page, function() {
+        add_screen_option('per_page', array(
+          'label' => _x(
+            'Number of subscribers per page',
+            'subscribers per page (screen options)',
+            'mailpoet'
+          ),
+          'option' => 'mailpoet_subscribers_per_page'
+        ));
+      });
+
+      // import
+      add_submenu_page(
+        'admin.php?page=mailpoet-subscribers',
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Import', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Import', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        'mailpoet-import',
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'import'
+        )
+      );
+
+      // export
+      add_submenu_page(
+        true,
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Export', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Export', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        'mailpoet-export',
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'export'
+        )
+      );
+    }
+
+    // Segments page
+    if($this->access_control->validatePermission(AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SEGMENTS)) {
+      $segments_page = add_submenu_page(
+        self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Lists', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Lists', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        'mailpoet-segments',
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'segments'
+        )
+      );
+
+      // add limit per page to screen options
+      add_action('load-' . $segments_page, function() {
+        add_screen_option('per_page', array(
+          'label' => _x(
+            'Number of segments per page',
+            'segments per page (screen options)',
+            'mailpoet'
+          ),
+          'option' => 'mailpoet_segments_per_page'
+        ));
+      });
+    }
+
+    // Settings page
+    if($this->access_control->validatePermission(AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS)) {
+      add_submenu_page(
+        self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
+        $this->setPageTitle(__('Settings', 'mailpoet')),
+        __('Settings', 'mailpoet'),
+        $this->user_capability,
+        'mailpoet-settings',
+        array(
+          $this,
+          'settings'
+        )
+      );
+    }
+
+    // Help page
     add_submenu_page(
-      $main_page_slug,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Settings', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Settings', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-settings',
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'settings'
-      )
-    );
-
-    add_submenu_page(
-      $main_page_slug,
+      self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
       $this->setPageTitle(__('Help', 'mailpoet')),
       __('Help', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
+      $this->user_capability,
       'mailpoet-help',
       array(
         $this,
@@ -180,12 +260,13 @@ class Menu {
       )
     );
 
+    // Premium page
     // Only show this page in menu if the Premium plugin is not activated
     add_submenu_page(
-      License::getLicense() ? true : $main_page_slug,
+      License::getLicense() ? true : self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG,
       $this->setPageTitle(__('Premium', 'mailpoet')),
       __('Premium', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
+      $this->user_capability,
       'mailpoet-premium',
       array(
         $this,
@@ -193,35 +274,12 @@ class Menu {
       )
     );
 
-    add_submenu_page(
-      'admin.php?page=mailpoet-subscribers',
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Import', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Import', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-import',
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'import'
-      )
-    );
-
-    add_submenu_page(
-      true,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Export', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Export', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-export',
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'export'
-      )
-    );
-
+    // Welcome page
     add_submenu_page(
       true,
       $this->setPageTitle(__('Welcome', 'mailpoet')),
       __('Welcome', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
+      $this->user_capability,
       'mailpoet-welcome',
       array(
         $this,
@@ -229,23 +287,12 @@ class Menu {
       )
     );
 
-    add_submenu_page(
-      true,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Migration', 'mailpoet')),
-      '',
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-migration',
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'migration'
-      )
-    );
-
+    // Update page
     add_submenu_page(
       true,
       $this->setPageTitle(__('Update', 'mailpoet')),
       __('Update', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
+      $this->user_capability,
       'mailpoet-update',
       array(
         $this,
@@ -253,27 +300,16 @@ class Menu {
       )
     );
 
+    // Migration page
     add_submenu_page(
       true,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Form Editor', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Form Editor', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-form-editor',
+      $this->setPageTitle(__('Migration', 'mailpoet')),
+      '',
+      $this->user_capability,
+      'mailpoet-migration',
       array(
         $this,
-        'formEditor'
-      )
-    );
-
-    add_submenu_page(
-      true,
-      $this->setPageTitle(__('Newsletter', 'mailpoet')),
-      __('Newsletter Editor', 'mailpoet'),
-      Env::$required_permission,
-      'mailpoet-newsletter-editor',
-      array(
-        $this,
-        'newletterEditor'
+        'migration'
       )
     );
   }
@@ -293,20 +329,20 @@ class Menu {
       or
       strpos($redirect_url, 'mailpoet') === false
     ) {
-      $redirect_url = admin_url('admin.php?page=mailpoet-newsletters');
+      $redirect_url = admin_url('admin.php?page=' . self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG);
     }
 
     $data = array(
       'settings' => Setting::getAll(),
       'current_user' => wp_get_current_user(),
       'redirect_url' => $redirect_url,
-      'sub_menu' => 'mailpoet-newsletters'
+      'sub_menu' => self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG
     );
     $this->displayPage('welcome.html', $data);
   }
 
   function migration() {
-    $mp2_migrator = new MP2Migrator();
+    $mp2_migrator = new MP2Migrator($this->access_control);
     $mp2_migrator->init();
     $data = array(
       'log_file_url' => $mp2_migrator->log_file_url,
@@ -328,14 +364,14 @@ class Menu {
       or
       strpos($redirect_url, 'mailpoet') === false
     ) {
-      $redirect_url = admin_url('admin.php?page=mailpoet-newsletters');
+      $redirect_url = admin_url('admin.php?page=' . self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG);
     }
 
     $data = array(
       'settings' => Setting::getAll(),
       'current_user' => wp_get_current_user(),
       'redirect_url' => $redirect_url,
-      'sub_menu' => 'mailpoet-newsletters'
+      'sub_menu' => self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG
     );
 
     $readme_file = Env::$path . '/readme.txt';
@@ -352,7 +388,7 @@ class Menu {
   function premium() {
     $data = array(
       'subscriber_count' => Subscriber::getTotalSubscribers(),
-      'sub_menu' => 'mailpoet-newsletters'
+      'sub_menu' => self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG
     );
 
     $this->displayPage('premium.html', $data);
@@ -505,7 +541,7 @@ class Menu {
       'shortcodes' => ShortcodesHelper::getShortcodes(),
       'settings' => Setting::getAll(),
       'current_wp_user' => Subscriber::getCurrentWPUser(),
-      'sub_menu' => 'mailpoet-newsletters'
+      'sub_menu' => self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG
     );
     wp_enqueue_media();
     wp_enqueue_script('tinymce-wplink', includes_url('js/tinymce/plugins/wplink/plugin.js'));
@@ -597,13 +633,13 @@ class Menu {
    * This error page is used when the initialization is failed
    * to display admin notices only
    */
-  static function addErrorPage() {
+  static function addErrorPage(AccessControl $access_control) {
     if(!self::isOnMailPoetAdminPage()) {
       return false;
     }
     // Check if page already exists
     if(get_plugin_page_hook($_REQUEST['page'], '')
-      || get_plugin_page_hook($_REQUEST['page'], 'mailpoet-newsletters')
+      || get_plugin_page_hook($_REQUEST['page'], self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG)
     ) {
       return false;
     }
@@ -611,9 +647,12 @@ class Menu {
       true,
       'MailPoet',
       'MailPoet',
-      Env::$required_permission,
+      $access_control->getUserFirstCapability(),
       $_REQUEST['page'],
-      array(__CLASS__, 'errorPageCallback')
+      array(
+        __CLASS__,
+        'errorPageCallback'
+      )
     );
   }
 
@@ -624,7 +663,7 @@ class Menu {
   function checkMailPoetAPIKey(ServicesChecker $checker = null) {
     if(self::isOnMailPoetAdminPage()) {
       $show_notices = isset($_REQUEST['page'])
-        && stripos($_REQUEST['page'], 'mailpoet-newsletters') === false;
+        && stripos($_REQUEST['page'], self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG) === false;
       $checker = $checker ?: new ServicesChecker();
       $this->mp_api_key_valid = $checker->isMailPoetAPIKeyValid($show_notices);
     }
@@ -633,7 +672,7 @@ class Menu {
   function checkPremiumKey(ServicesChecker $checker = null) {
     if(self::isOnMailPoetAdminPage()) {
       $show_notices = isset($_REQUEST['page'])
-        && stripos($_REQUEST['page'], 'mailpoet-newsletters') === false;
+        && stripos($_REQUEST['page'], self::MAIN_PAGE_SLUG) === false;
       $checker = $checker ?: new ServicesChecker();
       $this->premium_key_valid = $checker->isPremiumKeyValid($show_notices);
     }
diff --git a/lib/Form/Widget.php b/lib/Form/Widget.php
index 9953961c4a..a93a95516e 100644
--- a/lib/Form/Widget.php
+++ b/lib/Form/Widget.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 namespace MailPoet\Form;
 
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\API;
-use MailPoet\Config\Renderer;
+use MailPoet\Config\Renderer as ConfigRenderer;
 use MailPoet\Form\Renderer as FormRenderer;
 use MailPoet\Models\Form;
 use MailPoet\Util\Security;
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ class Widget extends \WP_Widget {
         $data['api_version'] = API::CURRENT_VERSION;
 
         // render form
-        $renderer = new Renderer();
+        $renderer = new ConfigRenderer();
         try {
           $output = $renderer->render('form/widget.html', $data);
           $output = do_shortcode($output);
diff --git a/lib/Router/Endpoints/CronDaemon.php b/lib/Router/Endpoints/CronDaemon.php
index 89f4d07096..626e82c010 100644
--- a/lib/Router/Endpoints/CronDaemon.php
+++ b/lib/Router/Endpoints/CronDaemon.php
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Router\Endpoints;
 
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Cron\CronHelper;
 use MailPoet\Cron\Daemon;
 
@@ -17,6 +19,9 @@ class CronDaemon {
     self::ACTION_PING_RESPONSE
   );
   public $data;
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION
+  );
 
   function __construct($data) {
     $this->data = $data;
diff --git a/lib/Router/Endpoints/Subscription.php b/lib/Router/Endpoints/Subscription.php
index 04dfbf11fc..19e428d064 100644
--- a/lib/Router/Endpoints/Subscription.php
+++ b/lib/Router/Endpoints/Subscription.php
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Router\Endpoints;
 
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Subscription as UserSubscription;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
@@ -16,6 +18,9 @@ class Subscription {
     self::ACTION_UNSUBSCRIBE
   );
   public $data;
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION
+  );
 
   function __construct($data) {
     $this->data = $data;
diff --git a/lib/Router/Endpoints/Track.php b/lib/Router/Endpoints/Track.php
index 5ab6a1266e..fe998c97f8 100644
--- a/lib/Router/Endpoints/Track.php
+++ b/lib/Router/Endpoints/Track.php
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Router\Endpoints;
 
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Models\Newsletter;
 use MailPoet\Models\NewsletterLink;
 use MailPoet\Models\SendingQueue;
@@ -20,6 +22,9 @@ class Track {
     self::ACTION_OPEN
   );
   public $data;
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION
+  );
 
   function __construct($data) {
     $this->data = $this->_processTrackData($data);
@@ -38,8 +43,8 @@ class Track {
   function _processTrackData($data) {
     $data = (object)Links::transformUrlDataObject($data);
     if(empty($data->queue_id) ||
-       empty($data->subscriber_id) ||
-       empty($data->subscriber_token)
+      empty($data->subscriber_id) ||
+      empty($data->subscriber_token)
     ) {
       return false;
     }
diff --git a/lib/Router/Endpoints/ViewInBrowser.php b/lib/Router/Endpoints/ViewInBrowser.php
index 1229d1a68a..7e8a961d63 100644
--- a/lib/Router/Endpoints/ViewInBrowser.php
+++ b/lib/Router/Endpoints/ViewInBrowser.php
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Router\Endpoints;
 
-use MailPoet\Config\Env;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Models\Newsletter;
 use MailPoet\Models\SendingQueue;
 use MailPoet\Models\Subscriber;
@@ -17,8 +18,12 @@ class ViewInBrowser {
   const ACTION_VIEW = 'view';
   public $allowed_actions = array(self::ACTION_VIEW);
   public $data;
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION
+  );
 
-  function __construct($data) {
+  function __construct($data, AccessControl $access_control) {
+    $this->access_control = $access_control;
     $this->data = $this->_processBrowserPreviewData($data);
   }
 
@@ -69,8 +74,8 @@ class ViewInBrowser {
       $data->queue = false;
     }
 
-    // allow users with 'manage_options' permission to preview any newsletter
-    if(!empty($data->preview) && current_user_can(Env::$required_permission)
+    // allow users with permission to manage emails to preview any newsletter
+    if(!empty($data->preview) && $this->access_control->validatePermission(AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS)
     ) return $data;
 
     // allow others to preview newsletters only when newsletter hash is defined
diff --git a/lib/Router/Router.php b/lib/Router/Router.php
index 93d3f9735b..fba4148fcb 100644
--- a/lib/Router/Router.php
+++ b/lib/Router/Router.php
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Router;
 
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Util\Helpers;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
@@ -12,19 +14,21 @@ class Router {
   public $data;
   const NAME = 'mailpoet_router';
   const RESPONSE_ERROR = 404;
+  const RESPONE_FORBIDDEN = 403;
 
-  function __construct($api_data = false) {
+  function __construct(AccessControl $access_control, $api_data = false) {
     $api_data = ($api_data) ? $api_data : $_GET;
     $this->api_request = isset($api_data[self::NAME]);
     $this->endpoint = isset($api_data['endpoint']) ?
       Helpers::underscoreToCamelCase($api_data['endpoint']) :
       false;
-    $this->action = isset($api_data['action']) ?
+    $this->endpoint_action = isset($api_data['action']) ?
       Helpers::underscoreToCamelCase($api_data['action']) :
       false;
     $this->data = isset($api_data['data']) ?
       self::decodeRequestData($api_data['data']) :
       false;
+    $this->access_control = $access_control;
   }
 
   function init() {
@@ -33,15 +37,18 @@ class Router {
     if(!$this->endpoint || !class_exists($endpoint_class)) {
       return $this->terminateRequest(self::RESPONSE_ERROR, __('Invalid router endpoint', 'mailpoet'));
     }
-    $endpoint = new $endpoint_class($this->data);
-    if(!method_exists($endpoint, $this->action) || !in_array($this->action, $endpoint->allowed_actions)) {
+    $endpoint = new $endpoint_class($this->data, $this->access_control);
+    if(!method_exists($endpoint, $this->endpoint_action) || !in_array($this->endpoint_action, $endpoint->allowed_actions)) {
       return $this->terminateRequest(self::RESPONSE_ERROR, __('Invalid router endpoint action', 'mailpoet'));
     }
+    if(!$this->validatePermissions($this->endpoint_action, $endpoint->permissions)) {
+      return $this->terminateRequest(self::RESPONE_FORBIDDEN, __('You do not have the required permissions.', 'mailpoet'));
+    }
     do_action('mailpoet_conflict_resolver_router_url_query_parameters');
     return call_user_func(
       array(
         $endpoint,
-        $this->action
+        $this->endpoint_action
       )
     );
   }
@@ -74,4 +81,11 @@ class Router {
     status_header($code, $message);
     exit;
   }
-}
+
+  function validatePermissions($endpoint_action, $permissions) {
+    // validate action permission if defined, otherwise validate global permission
+    return(!empty($permissions['actions'][$endpoint_action])) ?
+      $this->access_control->validatePermission($permissions['actions'][$endpoint_action]) :
+      $this->access_control->validatePermission($permissions['global']);
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/lib/Subscription/Form.php b/lib/Subscription/Form.php
index ec3262be0c..0dea09a960 100644
--- a/lib/Subscription/Form.php
+++ b/lib/Subscription/Form.php
@@ -2,14 +2,15 @@
 
 namespace MailPoet\Subscription;
 
-use MailPoet\API\JSON\API;
+use MailPoet\API\API as API;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Response as APIResponse;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Util\Url as UrlHelper;
 
 class Form {
   static function onSubmit($request_data = false) {
     $request_data = ($request_data) ? $request_data : $_REQUEST;
-    $api = new API();
+    $api = API::JSON(new AccessControl());
     $api->setRequestData($request_data);
     $form_id = (!empty($request_data['data']['form_id'])) ? (int)$request_data['data']['form_id'] : false;
     $response = $api->processRoute();
diff --git a/tests/unit/API/APITest.php b/tests/unit/API/APITest.php
index ac98bc1909..69d2c76cbe 100644
--- a/tests/unit/API/APITest.php
+++ b/tests/unit/API/APITest.php
@@ -2,10 +2,11 @@
 namespace MailPoet\Test\API;
 
 use MailPoet\API\API;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 
 class APITest extends \MailPoetTest {
   function testItCallsJSONAPI() {
-    expect(API::JSON())->isInstanceOf('MailPoet\API\JSON\API');
+    expect(API::JSON(new AccessControl()))->isInstanceOf('MailPoet\API\JSON\API');
   }
 
   function testItCallsMPAPI() {
diff --git a/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITest.php b/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITest.php
index 82c5e6f794..f92856ce21 100644
--- a/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITest.php
+++ b/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITest.php
@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Test\API\JSON;
 
 use Codeception\Util\Stub;
-use MailPoet\API\JSON\API;
-use MailPoet\API\JSON\SuccessResponse;
+use Helper\WordPressHooks as WPHooksHelper;
+use MailPoet\API\API;
+use MailPoet\API\JSON\API as JSONAPI;
+use MailPoet\API\JSON\Response;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Response as APIResponse;
+use MailPoet\API\JSON\SuccessResponse;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
+use MailPoet\WP\Hooks;
 
 // required to be able to use wp_delete_user()
-require_once(ABSPATH.'wp-admin/includes/user.php');
+require_once(ABSPATH . 'wp-admin/includes/user.php');
 require_once('APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV1.php');
 require_once('APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV2.php');
 
@@ -22,30 +28,16 @@ class APITest extends \MailPoetTest {
     } else {
       $this->wp_user_id = $wp_user_id;
     }
-
-    $this->api = new API();
-  }
-
-  function testItChecksPermissions() {
-    // logged out user
-    expect($this->api->checkPermissions())->false();
-
-    // give administrator role to wp user
-    $wp_user = get_user_by('id', $this->wp_user_id);
-    $wp_user->add_role('administrator');
-    wp_set_current_user($wp_user->ID, $wp_user->user_login);
-
-    // administrator should have permission
-    expect($this->api->checkPermissions())->true();
+    $this->api = API::JSON(new AccessControl());
   }
 
   function testItCallsAPISetupAction() {
     $called = false;
-    add_action(
+    Hooks::addAction(
       'mailpoet_api_setup',
-      function ($api) use (&$called) {
+      function($api) use (&$called) {
         $called = true;
-        expect($api instanceof API)->true();
+        expect($api instanceof JSONAPI)->true();
       }
     );
     $api = Stub::makeEmptyExcept(
@@ -136,11 +128,101 @@ class APITest extends \MailPoetTest {
     );
     $this->api->setRequestData($data);
     $response = $this->api->processRoute();
-
     expect($response->getData()['data'])->equals($data['api_version']);
   }
 
+  function testItValidatesPermissionBeforeProcessingEndpointMethod() {
+    $namespace = array(
+      'name' => 'MailPoet\API\JSON\v1',
+      'version' => 'v1'
+    );
+    $data = array(
+      'endpoint' => 'a_p_i_test_namespaced_endpoint_stub_v1',
+      'method' => 'restricted',
+      'api_version' => 'v1',
+      'data' => array('test' => 'data')
+    );
+    $access_control = new AccessControl();
+    $access_control->user_roles = $access_control->permissions[AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS];
+    $api = Stub::make(
+      new \MailPoet\API\JSON\API($access_control),
+      array(
+        'validatePermissions' => function($method, $permissions) use ($data) {
+          expect($method)->equals($data['method']);
+          expect($permissions)->equals(
+            array(
+              'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION,
+              'methods' => array(
+                'test' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION,
+                'restricted' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS
+              )
+            )
+          );
+          return true;
+        }
+      )
+    );
+    $api->addEndpointNamespace($namespace['name'], $namespace['version']);
+    $api->setRequestData($data);
+    $response = $api->processRoute();
+    expect($response->getData()['data'])->equals($data['data']);
+  }
+
+  function testItReturnsForbiddenResponseWhenPermissionFailsValidation() {
+    $namespace = array(
+      'name' => 'MailPoet\API\JSON\v1',
+      'version' => 'v1'
+    );
+    $data = array(
+      'endpoint' => 'a_p_i_test_namespaced_endpoint_stub_v1',
+      'method' => 'restricted',
+      'api_version' => 'v1',
+      'data' => array('test' => 'data')
+    );
+    $access_control = new AccessControl();
+    $access_control->user_roles = array();
+    $api = new \MailPoet\API\JSON\API($access_control);
+    $api->addEndpointNamespace($namespace['name'], $namespace['version']);
+    $api->setRequestData($data);
+    $response = $api->processRoute();
+    expect($response->status)->equals(Response::STATUS_FORBIDDEN);
+  }
+
+  function testItValidatesGlobalPermission() {
+    $access_control = new AccessControl();
+    $permissions = array(
+      'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS,
+    );
+
+    $access_control->user_roles = array();
+    $api = new JSONAPI($access_control);
+    expect($api->validatePermissions(null, $permissions))->false();
+
+    $access_control->user_roles = $access_control->permissions[AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS];
+    $api = new JSONAPI($access_control);
+    expect($api->validatePermissions(null, $permissions))->true();
+  }
+
+  function testItValidatesEndpointMethodPermission() {
+    $access_control = new AccessControl();
+    $permissions = array(
+      'global' => null,
+      'methods' => array(
+        'test' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS
+      )
+    );
+
+    $access_control->user_roles = array();
+    $api = new JSONAPI($access_control);
+    expect($api->validatePermissions('test', $permissions))->false();
+
+    $access_control->user_roles = $access_control->permissions[AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS];
+    $api = new JSONAPI($access_control);
+    expect($api->validatePermissions('test', $permissions))->true();
+  }
+
   function _after() {
+    WPHooksHelper::releaseAllHooks();
     wp_delete_user($this->wp_user_id);
   }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV1.php b/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV1.php
index 4f6d79abb5..c597d977af 100644
--- a/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV1.php
+++ b/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV1.php
@@ -3,16 +3,24 @@
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v1;
 
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
-use MailPoet\API\JSON\Access as APIAccess;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV1 extends APIEndpoint {
   public $permissions = array(
-    'test' => APIAccess::ALL
+    'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION,
+    'methods' => array(
+      'test' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION,
+      'restricted' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS
+    )
   );
 
   function test($data) {
     return $this->successResponse($data);
   }
+
+  function restricted($data) {
+    return $this->successResponse($data);
+  }
 }
diff --git a/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV2.php b/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV2.php
index b0029f2d81..1d3ffa51a2 100644
--- a/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV2.php
+++ b/tests/unit/API/JSON/APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV2.php
@@ -2,14 +2,17 @@
 
 namespace MailPoet\API\JSON\v2;
 
-use MailPoet\API\JSON\Access as APIAccess;
 use MailPoet\API\JSON\Endpoint as APIEndpoint;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 
 if(!defined('ABSPATH')) exit;
 
 class APITestNamespacedEndpointStubV2 extends APIEndpoint {
   public $permissions = array(
-    'testVersion' => APIAccess::ALL
+    'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION,
+    'methods' => array(
+      'test' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION
+    )
   );
 
   function testVersion() {
diff --git a/tests/unit/Config/AccessControlTest.php b/tests/unit/Config/AccessControlTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..75302c4586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/Config/AccessControlTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace MailPoet\Test\Config;
+
+use Helper\WordPressHooks as WPHooksHelper;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
+use MailPoet\WP\Hooks;
+
+class AccessControlTest extends \MailPoetTest {
+  function testItSetsDefaultPermissionsUponInitialization() {
+    $default_permissions = array(
+      AccessControl::PERMISSION_ACCESS_PLUGIN_ADMIN => array(
+        'administrator',
+        'editor'
+      ),
+      AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS => array(
+        'administrator'
+      ),
+      AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS => array(
+        'administrator',
+        'editor'
+      ),
+      AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SUBSCRIBERS => array(
+        'administrator'
+      ),
+      AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_FORMS => array(
+        'administrator'
+      ),
+      AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SEGMENTS => array(
+        'administrator'
+      ),
+      AccessControl::PERMISSION_UPDATE_PLUGIN => array(
+        'administrator'
+      )
+    );
+    $access_control = new AccessControl();
+    expect($access_control->permissions)->equals($default_permissions);
+  }
+
+  function testItAllowsSettingCustomPermissions() {
+    Hooks::addFilter(
+      'mailpoet_permission_access_plugin_admin',
+      function() {
+        return array('custom_access_plugin_admin_role');
+      }
+    );
+    Hooks::addFilter(
+      'mailpoet_permission_manage_settings',
+      function() {
+        return array('custom_manage_settings_role');
+      }
+    );
+    Hooks::addFilter(
+      'mailpoet_permission_manage_emails',
+      function() {
+        return array('custom_manage_emails_role');
+      }
+    );
+    Hooks::addFilter(
+      'mailpoet_permission_manage_subscribers',
+      function() {
+        return array('custom_manage_subscribers_role');
+      }
+    );
+    Hooks::addFilter(
+      'mailpoet_permission_manage_forms',
+      function() {
+        return array('custom_manage_forms_role');
+      }
+    );
+    Hooks::addFilter(
+      'mailpoet_permission_manage_segments',
+      function() {
+        return array('custom_manage_segments_role');
+      }
+    );
+    Hooks::addFilter(
+      'mailpoet_permission_update_plugin',
+      function() {
+        return array('custom_update_plugin_role');
+      }
+    );
+
+    $access_control = new AccessControl();
+    expect($access_control->permissions)->equals(
+      array(
+        AccessControl::PERMISSION_ACCESS_PLUGIN_ADMIN => array(
+          'custom_access_plugin_admin_role'
+        ),
+        AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS => array(
+          'custom_manage_settings_role'
+        ),
+        AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_EMAILS => array(
+          'custom_manage_emails_role'
+        ),
+        AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SUBSCRIBERS => array(
+          'custom_manage_subscribers_role'
+        ),
+        AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_FORMS => array(
+          'custom_manage_forms_role'
+        ),
+        AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SEGMENTS => array(
+          'custom_manage_segments_role'
+        ),
+        AccessControl::PERMISSION_UPDATE_PLUGIN => array(
+          'custom_update_plugin_role'
+        ),
+      )
+    );
+  }
+
+  function _after() {
+    WPHooksHelper::releaseAllHooks();
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/unit/Config/MenuTest.php b/tests/unit/Config/MenuTest.php
index 3312e262c1..7a81f40dee 100644
--- a/tests/unit/Config/MenuTest.php
+++ b/tests/unit/Config/MenuTest.php
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Test\Config;
 
 use Codeception\Util\Stub;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Config\Menu;
 use MailPoet\Config\Renderer;
 use MailPoet\Config\ServicesChecker;
@@ -39,7 +41,7 @@ class MenuTest extends \MailPoetTest {
   function testItChecksMailpoetAPIKey() {
     $renderer = Stub::make(new Renderer());
     $assets_url = '';
-    $menu = new Menu($renderer, $assets_url);
+    $menu = new Menu($renderer, $assets_url, new AccessControl());
 
     $_REQUEST['page'] = 'mailpoet-newsletters';
     $checker = Stub::make(
@@ -62,7 +64,7 @@ class MenuTest extends \MailPoetTest {
   function testItChecksPremiumKey() {
     $renderer = Stub::make(new Renderer());
     $assets_url = '';
-    $menu = new Menu($renderer, $assets_url);
+    $menu = new Menu($renderer, $assets_url, new AccessControl());
 
     $_REQUEST['page'] = 'mailpoet-newsletters';
     $checker = Stub::make(
diff --git a/tests/unit/Router/Endpoints/ViewInBrowserTest.php b/tests/unit/Router/Endpoints/ViewInBrowserTest.php
index 5727a9c863..6918c993b9 100644
--- a/tests/unit/Router/Endpoints/ViewInBrowserTest.php
+++ b/tests/unit/Router/Endpoints/ViewInBrowserTest.php
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Test\Router\Endpoints;
 
 use Codeception\Util\Stub;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Models\Newsletter;
 use MailPoet\Models\SendingQueue;
 use MailPoet\Models\Subscriber;
@@ -33,7 +35,7 @@ class ViewInBrowserTest extends \MailPoetTest {
       'preview' => false
     );
     // instantiate class
-    $this->view_in_browser = new ViewInBrowser($this->browser_preview_data);
+    $this->view_in_browser = new ViewInBrowser($this->browser_preview_data, new AccessControl());
   }
 
   function testItAbortsWhenBrowserPreviewDataIsMissing() {
@@ -123,6 +125,7 @@ class ViewInBrowserTest extends \MailPoetTest {
   }
 
   function testItDoesNotRequireWpAdministratorToBeOnProcessedListWhenPreviewIsEnabled() {
+    $view_in_browser = $this->view_in_browser;
     $data = (object)array_merge(
       $this->browser_preview_data,
       array(
@@ -132,19 +135,25 @@ class ViewInBrowserTest extends \MailPoetTest {
       )
     );
     $data->preview = true;
+
     // when WP user is not logged, false should be returned
-    expect($this->view_in_browser->_validateBrowserPreviewData($data))->false();
+    expect($view_in_browser->_validateBrowserPreviewData($data))->false();
+
     // when WP user is logged in but does not have 'manage options' permission, false should be returned
     wp_set_current_user(1);
     $wp_user = wp_get_current_user();
     $wp_user->remove_role('administrator');
+    $view_in_browser->access_control = new AccessControl();
     expect($this->view_in_browser->_validateBrowserPreviewData($data))->false();
+
     // when WP user is logged and has 'manage options' permission, data should be returned
     $wp_user->add_role('administrator');
-    expect($this->view_in_browser->_validateBrowserPreviewData($data))->equals($data);
+    $view_in_browser->access_control = new AccessControl();
+    expect($view_in_browser->_validateBrowserPreviewData($data))->equals($data);
   }
 
   function testItSetsSubscriberToLoggedInWPUserWhenPreviewIsEnabled() {
+    $view_in_browser = $this->view_in_browser;
     $data = (object)array_merge(
       $this->browser_preview_data,
       array(
@@ -155,7 +164,8 @@ class ViewInBrowserTest extends \MailPoetTest {
     );
     $data->preview = true;
     wp_set_current_user(1);
-    $result = $this->view_in_browser->_validateBrowserPreviewData($data);
+    $view_in_browser->access_control = new AccessControl();
+    $result = $view_in_browser->_validateBrowserPreviewData($data);
     expect($result->subscriber->id)->equals(1);
   }
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/Router/RouterTest.php b/tests/unit/Router/RouterTest.php
index 58d31d7603..27d1d75fc1 100644
--- a/tests/unit/Router/RouterTest.php
+++ b/tests/unit/Router/RouterTest.php
@@ -1,24 +1,26 @@
 <?php
+
 namespace MailPoet\Test\Router;
 
 use Codeception\Util\Stub;
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
 use MailPoet\Router\Router;
 
 require_once('RouterTestMockEndpoint.php');
 
 class RouterTest extends \MailPoetTest {
+  public $access_control;
   public $router_data;
-  public $router;
 
-  function __construct() {
-    parent::__construct();
+  function _before() {
     $this->router_data = array(
       Router::NAME => '',
       'endpoint' => 'router_test_mock_endpoint',
       'action' => 'test',
       'data' => base64_encode(json_encode(array('data' => 'dummy data')))
     );
-    $this->router = new Router($this->router_data);
+    $this->access_control = new AccessControl();
+    $this->router = new Router($this->access_control, $this->router_data);
   }
 
   function testItCanGetAPIDataFromGetRequest() {
@@ -26,10 +28,10 @@ class RouterTest extends \MailPoetTest {
     $url = 'http://example.com/?' . Router::NAME . '&endpoint=view_in_browser&action=view&data='
       . base64_encode(json_encode($data));
     parse_str(parse_url($url, PHP_URL_QUERY), $_GET);
-    $router = new Router();
+    $router = new Router($this->access_control);
     expect($router->api_request)->equals(true);
     expect($router->endpoint)->equals('viewInBrowser');
-    expect($router->action)->equals('view');
+    expect($router->endpoint_action)->equals('view');
     expect($router->data)->equals($data);
   }
 
@@ -37,8 +39,8 @@ class RouterTest extends \MailPoetTest {
     $router_data = $this->router_data;
     unset($router_data[Router::NAME]);
     $router = Stub::construct(
-      new Router(),
-      array($router_data)
+      '\MailPoet\Router\Router',
+      array($this->access_control, $router_data)
     );
     $result = $router->init();
     expect($result)->null();
@@ -48,8 +50,8 @@ class RouterTest extends \MailPoetTest {
     $router_data = $this->router_data;
     $router_data['endpoint'] = 'invalid_endpoint';
     $router = Stub::construct(
-      new Router(),
-      array($router_data),
+      '\MailPoet\Router\Router',
+      array($this->access_control, $router_data),
       array(
         'terminateRequest' => function($code, $error) {
           return array(
@@ -72,8 +74,8 @@ class RouterTest extends \MailPoetTest {
     $router_data = $this->router_data;
     $router_data['action'] = 'invalid_action';
     $router = Stub::construct(
-      new Router(),
-      array($router_data),
+      '\MailPoet\Router\Router',
+      array($this->access_control, $router_data),
       array(
         'terminateRequest' => function($code, $error) {
           return array(
@@ -92,6 +94,87 @@ class RouterTest extends \MailPoetTest {
     );
   }
 
+  function testItValidatesGlobalPermission() {
+    $access_control = new AccessControl();
+    $router = $this->router;
+
+    $permissions = array(
+      'global' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS,
+    );
+    $access_control->user_roles = array();
+    $router->access_control = $access_control;
+    expect($router->validatePermissions(null, $permissions))->false();
+
+    $access_control->user_roles = $access_control->permissions[AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS];
+    $router->access_control = $access_control;
+    expect($router->validatePermissions(null, $permissions))->true();
+  }
+
+  function testItValidatesEndpointActionPermission() {
+    $access_control = new AccessControl();
+    $router = $this->router;
+
+    $permissions = array(
+      'global' => null,
+      'actions' => array(
+        'test' => AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS
+      )
+    );
+
+    $access_control->user_roles = array();
+    $router->access_control = $access_control;
+    expect($router->validatePermissions('test', $permissions))->false();
+
+    $access_control->user_roles = $access_control->permissions[AccessControl::PERMISSION_MANAGE_SETTINGS];
+    $router->access_control = $access_control;
+    expect($router->validatePermissions('test', $permissions))->true();
+  }
+
+  function testItValidatesPermissionBeforeProcessingEndpointAction() {
+    $router = Stub::construct(
+      '\MailPoet\Router\Router',
+      array($this->access_control, $this->router_data),
+      array(
+        'validatePermissions' => function($action, $permissions) {
+          expect($action)->equals($this->router_data['action']);
+          expect($permissions)->equals(
+            array(
+              'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION
+            )
+          );
+          return true;
+        }
+      )
+    );
+    $result = $router->init();
+    expect($result)->equals(
+      array('data' => 'dummy data')
+    );
+  }
+
+  function testItReturnsForbiddenResponseWhenPermissionFailsValidation() {
+    $router = Stub::construct(
+      '\MailPoet\Router\Router',
+      array($this->access_control, $this->router_data),
+      array(
+        'validatePermissions' => false,
+        'terminateRequest' => function($code, $error) {
+          return array(
+            $code,
+            $error
+          );
+        }
+      )
+    );
+    $result = $router->init();
+    expect($result)->equals(
+      array(
+        403,
+        'You do not have the required permissions.'
+      )
+    );
+  }
+
   function testItCallsEndpointAction() {
     $data = array('data' => 'dummy data');
     $result = $this->router->init();
@@ -99,8 +182,7 @@ class RouterTest extends \MailPoetTest {
   }
 
   function testItExecutesUrlParameterConflictResolverAction() {
-    $data = array('data' => 'dummy data');
-    $result = $this->router->init();
+    $this->router->init();
     expect((boolean)did_action('mailpoet_conflict_resolver_router_url_query_parameters'))->true();
   }
 
@@ -140,4 +222,4 @@ class RouterTest extends \MailPoetTest {
     );
     expect($result)->contains(Router::NAME . '&endpoint=router_test_mock_endpoint&action=test&data=' . $encoded_data);
   }
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/unit/Router/RouterTestMockEndpoint.php b/tests/unit/Router/RouterTestMockEndpoint.php
index 24ab75f774..51c020f92a 100644
--- a/tests/unit/Router/RouterTestMockEndpoint.php
+++ b/tests/unit/Router/RouterTestMockEndpoint.php
@@ -2,12 +2,17 @@
 
 namespace MailPoet\Router\Endpoints;
 
+use MailPoet\Config\AccessControl;
+
 class RouterTestMockEndpoint {
   const ACTION_TEST = 'test';
   public $allowed_actions = array(
     self::ACTION_TEST
   );
   public $data;
+  public $permissions = array(
+    'global' => AccessControl::NO_ACCESS_RESTRICTION
+  );
 
   function __construct($data) {
     $this->data = $data;