Google is currently developing a new feature aimed at safeguarding a user’s privacy when utilizing apps that request their email address, as outlined in a recent report. A glimpse at the code within a company’s application shows that a new feature known as Shielded Email is currently being worked on. This feature could potentially enable users to utilize email address ‘aliases’ when registering for applications or newsletters. Apple currently provides a comparable function for its devices known as Hide My Email, exclusively available to iCloud+ subscribers.
The shielded email feature has the potential to provide email aliases along with forwarding support.
Android Authority and AssembleDebug recently came across a new feature named Shielded Email during their analysis of the Google Play Services version 24. 45. 33 APK. The publication has uncovered different pieces of code that provide insights into the potential feature and its possible functionality once the company decides to release it.
As mentioned in the report, the Shielded Email feature allows users to maintain the privacy of their email address by creating an email alias whenever an application requires them to share their email address. One of the strings also hints at the practical benefits of the feature — safeguarding users from online tracking and data breaches.
It seems that these email aliases have the ability to forward emails to a user’s actual inbox, potentially serving as a shield against spam mail sent by various services. It is presently uncertain if users will have the ability to create multiple Shielded Email addresses (or aliases).
Google might consider combining the Shielded Email feature with its Autofill feature on Android smartphones, as shown in the publication. A screenshot of the Autofill settings displays a new icon featuring an email with a blue tag and the Google logo.
It is worth mentioning that Apple’s competitor, Google, already provides a comparable feature known as Hide My Email. This functionality is accessible to iCloud+ subscribers, permitting users to create email aliases instantly instead of revealing their actual email address to an app or website. Messages sent to these aliases are also directed to the recipient’s primary email inbox.
It remains uncertain if or when Google will introduce the new Shielded Email feature to users. Additional information, such as availability and pricing (or potential exclusivity for Google One clients), is currently not yet disclosed. However, we can anticipate gaining further insights into the feature and its functionality in the upcoming weeks or months.
