Google is reportedly developing a new feature that could safeguard users’ privacy when they use apps that request their email address according to Android Authority. A feature called Shielded Email is presently being developed and may enable users to exchange email address “aliases” while registering for apps or newsletters, according to code found in one of the company’s products. For iCloud+ subscribers, Apple already provides a comparable function on their devices called Hide My Email whereby users will soon be able to use Google’s email service, which is akin to what Apple already offers through iCloud.
In essence, the feature enables users to automatically generate an email alias at random whenever they need to register for a website or email list. These days, consumers are bombarded with spam and other privacy issues because so many online platforms require email addresses. Users can register for online services, receive emails, and respond to them without disclosing their primary email address thanks to a feature like Shielded Email.
The Shielded Email will offer Google users a solution like to Hide My Email on Apple iCloud. In essence, the feature enables users to automatically generate an email alias at random whenever they need to register for a website or email list.
During a breakdown of the Google Play Services version 24.45.33 APK, AssembleDebug and Android Authority found a new feature called Shielded Email that potentially allows email aliases with forwarding capability. Numerous code snippets that shed light on the purported function and its possible applications, should the company choose to adopt it, were discovered by the publication.
By creating an email alias when an application requests an email address, the Shielded Email feature, according to the study, will allow users to keep their email address hidden. Their protection from “online tracking and data breaches” is another way that one of the strings explains why the function can be useful.
Additionally, it looks like these email aliases will be able to redirect emails to the user’s actual mailbox, which might act as a defence against spam emailing services. Whether users will be able to create several Shielded Email addresses (or aliases) is still unknown.
A screenshot of the Autofill settings area reveals a new icon that represents an email with a blue tag and the Google logo, suggesting that Google may combine the Shielded Email feature with its Autofill technology on Android smartphones, the website said.
It’s important to note that Apple, Google’s competitor, already provides a function called Hide My Email that is comparable. Users can create email aliases instantaneously using this function, which is exclusive to iCloud+ subscribers, rather than disclosing their actual email address to a website or service. The user’s real email account receives emails sent to these aliases as well.
Tentatively, Google has not yet said whether or when it will make the new Shielded Email functionality available to users. Additionally unknown at this time are other specifics like availability and cost (or if it would just be available to Google One subscribers). However, in the upcoming weeks or months, we should expect to learn more about the feature and its operation.
Tracking the precise signup that resulted in a user’s email address being sold to spammers and other third parties is another benefit of using email aliases.
Hide My Email on Apple requires an iCloud+ subscription. When Google’s Shielded Email eventually launches, it’s unclear if a paid subscription will be necessary.