Google Shielded Email Feature Reportedly in Development; Could Help Users Hide Email ID Addresses

Google is engaged on a brand new characteristic that would shield a consumer’s privateness whereas utilizing apps that ask for his or her e mail deal with, in keeping with a report. Strings of code noticed in one of many firm’s functions reveal {that a} characteristic referred to as Shielded Email is presently in improvement, and it might enable customers to share e mail deal with ‘aliases’ when signing up for apps or newsletters. Apple already gives an analogous characteristic on its gadgets referred to as Hide My Email, for iCloud+ subscribers.

Shielded Email Feature Could Offer Email Aliases With Forwarding Support

Android Authority and AssembleDebug spotted a brand new characteristic whereas performing a teardown of the Google Play Services model 24.45.33 APK, which is dubbed Shielded Email. Various strings of code found by the publication give us an concept concerning the purported characteristic and the way it may work, whether it is ultimately rolled out by the corporate.

According to the report, the Shielded Email characteristic will let customers maintain their e mail deal with non-public by producing an e mail alias when an software asks a consumer to supply their e mail deal with. One of the strings additionally suggests why the characteristic might turn out to be useful — by defending them from “on-line monitoring and knowledge breaches”.

It additionally seems that these e mail aliases might be able to forwarding emails to a consumer’s actual inbox, which might present a buffer from companies that ship out spam emails. It’s presently unclear whether or not customers will be capable to generate a number of Shielded Email addresses (or aliases).

Google might combine the Shielded Email characteristic with its Autofill performance on Android smartphones, in keeping with the publication — a screenshot of the Autofill settings part reveals a brand new icon that depicts an e mail with a blue tag and the Google emblem. 

It’s price noting that Google’s rival Apple already gives an analogous characteristic referred to as Hide My Email. This characteristic is out there to iCloud+ subscribers and permits customers to immediately generate e mail aliases as an alternative of sharing their actual e mail deal with with an software or web site. Emails despatched to those aliases are additionally forwarded to the consumer’s precise e mail inbox. 

It’s unclear whether or not (or when) Google will roll out the brand new Shielded Email characteristic to customers. Other particulars, equivalent to availability and pricing (or whether or not will probably be restricted to Google One prospects), are additionally presently unknown. however we will anticipate to study extra concerning the feeature and the way it works within the coming weeks or months.