Deliverability, Gmail

Shielded Email: Gmail is Developing a New Feature to Boost Privacy

Natalia Zacholska,  Published on: 18 November 2024

shielded-emails-gmail

Gmail users may soon benefit from a game-changing feature called Shielded Email, designed to enhance privacy and combat spam. While the feature has not yet been officially launched, recent reports from Android Authority and other sources suggest it is under development and could revolutionize how users protect their email addresses online.

What is Shielded Email?

Shielded Email appears to be a tool for creating temporary or single-use email aliases. These aliases will forward messages to your primary Gmail inbox while keeping your real email address hidden. The feature, spotted in a recent APK (Android Package Kit) teardown of Google Play Services, is said to be found in the Autofill with Google settings on Android devices. Although it’s not yet functional, its potential benefits are already creating buzz.

shiehield-emails

Source: Android Authority | © 2024 Authority Media

Why Shielded Email Matters?

Temporary email addresses are not new—third-party tools like TempMail already offer similar services. However, Shielded Email could stand out by integrating seamlessly with Gmail’s ecosystem, similar to Apple’s “Hide My Email”.

hide-my-email-apple

The “Hide my email address” function allows us to generate unique, random email addresses that redirect messages sent to them to our personal inbox (to our “real” email address).


This would allow users to:

  • Reduce spam: By using disposable email addresses for sign-ups.
  • Enhance privacy: By masking their real email address, reducing tracking and exposure to data breaches.
  • Easily manage subscriptions: Messages sent to an alias can be forwarded to the primary inbox and discarded when no longer needed.

What We Don’t Know Yet

Despite its exciting promise, many questions remain about Shielded Email:

  • Will the aliases use the @gmail.com domain?
  • How will Google ensure the feature’s usability across various platforms and devices?
  • Will there be limits on the number of aliases a user can create?

These details are yet to be confirmed, as Google has remained tight-lipped about the feature’s full functionality and release timeline.

Looking Ahead

Shielded Email has the potential to be a major step forward in Gmail’s privacy features, making it easier for users to navigate the web without compromising their personal information. As we await official announcements from Google, we’ll keep you updated on the latest developments in this exciting new feature.

Stay tuned for more updates on Shielded Email and its expected rollout!

Create an account with EmailLabs today

Boost your email deliverability and stay up-to-date with provider guidelines!

Most popular

Latest blog posts