Google’s New Shielded Email Feature Enhances Privacy for App Sign-Ups

Google is developing a new privacy-enhancing feature called “Shielded Email” that will allow users to create temporary email aliases when signing up for apps and services.

This feature, discovered in recent Google Play Services APK teardowns, aims to protect users’ primary email addresses from spam and potential data breaches.

Google Integrates Alias Creation into Android Autofill System

Shielded Email will be integrated into Google’s Autofill system, working seamlessly with Gboard on Android devices.

When users attempt to sign up for a new service or app, Gboard’s smart autofill bar will present an option to “Use Shielded Email” alongside the user’s regular email address suggestions.

The Shielded Email feature generates single-use or limited-use email addresses that forward incoming messages to the user’s primary Gmail account.

This approach allows users to interact with online services without exposing their main email address, reducing the risk of spam and unwanted communications.

Enhanced Privacy and Spam Protection

According tot the Report, Users will have the ability to disable email forwarding at any time through their Google Account settings if an alias starts receiving excessive spam.

According to Android Authority, this granular control over email aliases provides an additional layer of protection against online tracking and potential data breaches.

While the feature is still under development and not yet fully functional, its integration into the Android ecosystem suggests that Google is prioritizing user privacy and security.

Shielded Email bears similarities to Apple’s “Hide My Email” feature, which is currently available to iCloud+ subscribers.

As online privacy concerns continue to grow, Google’s Shielded Email feature represents a significant step towards empowering users with greater control over their personal information.

By simplifying the process of creating and managing email aliases, Google aims to make privacy protection more accessible and user-friendly for its vast user base.

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