Google is stepping up its game in the fight against spam and privacy intrusions with a new feature called Shielded Email. Inspired by Apple’s Hide My Email, this tool will allow users to generate disposable email addresses for online sign-ups, keeping their primary email address safe from spam and data breaches. With its integration into Android's Gboard keyboard, this feature is set to revolutionise how users manage their online presence.
TBC's Explainer:
What is Shielded Email?
Shielded Email creates temporary, single-use email aliases when signing up for apps or websites. These aliases act as a buffer, forwarding emails to the user’s primary inbox while keeping their real email address hidden. Users can disable forwarding at any time, effectively cutting off unwanted communication without the hassle of unsubscribing or blocking senders.
This feature will be integrated into Gboard’s autofill system, making it accessible directly from the keyboard during sign-up processes. When users tap on an email field, Gboard will suggest using a Shielded Email alias alongside their saved email addresses. This seamless approach ensures convenience while enhancing privacy.
Why Does It Matter?
Spam emails have long been a nuisance for users who share their email addresses during online registrations. Beyond spam, sharing your primary email can expose you to tracking and data breaches. With Shielded Email, Google aims to:
Reduce spam by limiting who has access to your main email address.
Protect users from data breaches by isolating accounts with unique aliases.
Prevent tracking across platforms by using different aliases for each service.
This functionality mirrors Apple’s Hide My Email, which has been praised for its effectiveness in protecting user privacy. However, Google’s integration into Gboard gives it a unique advantage by making it more accessible to Android users.
Although Shielded Email is still in development, early glimpses of the feature have surfaced through app teardowns. Currently, tapping the Use Shielded Email option in Gboard throws an error as the backend system is not yet live. However, progress appears promising, and a public release may be on the horizon.
Google has not announced whether this feature will be free or part of its premium offerings. Regardless, its potential impact on user privacy and convenience makes it one of the most anticipated updates for Android users.