Google

Google To Introduce ‘Shielded Email’ Feature That Hides Email Address from Apps

Highlights

Google is developing a new feature called ‘Shielded Email.’
It will allow users to create email aliases and hide the actual email id from apps.
It aims to protect users’ personal email addresses and minimise risks from data breaches.
The feature is currently in beta.

Google planning to soon allow its users to hide the actual email address from the Android app. (Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash)

Google is working on a new feature called “Shielded Email” to help users protect their personal email addresses.

This privacy-focused tool was spotted in the code for Google Play Services by Android Authority earlier this week.

The Shielded Email would let users generate unique, random email addresses that are forwarded to their personal inbox, basically allowing users to create email aliases.

Emails sent to these aliases would be forwarded to the user’s primary email account. If unwanted spam becomes an issue, users could “turn off forwarding at any time” through their Google Account settings. It’s likely these settings will be accessible via myaccount.google.com or its Android counterpart.

Shielded Email feature in the Autofill settings menu spotted by the Andriod Authority team. (Screenshot credit – Android Authority)

It is described in beta version 24.45.33 of Google Play Services as a way to “Keep your email address private with Shielded Email.”

References from the APK teardown as shared by Android Authority –

<string name=”autofill_datatype_shielded_email_title”>Shielded Email</string>

<string name=”autofill_datatype_shielded_email_subtext”>Generated email addresses</string>

The feature is expected to help users avoid online tracking and minimise risks from data breaches. Users may be able to generate Shielded Emails when signing up for new accounts in Android apps or on the web.

Shielded Email will likely integrate with Android’s autofill functionality and Google Password Manager, making it seamless to use when filling out forms or creating new accounts.

References from the APK teardown as shared by Android Authority –

<string name=”autofill_shielded_ids_email_dialog_title_new_user”>Keep your email address private with Shielded Email</string>

<string name=”autofill_shielded_ids_email_dialog_lower_message_new_user”>Emails forward to ^1. To control spam, you can turn off forwarding at any time in your Google Account. <a href=”^2″>Learn more about Shielded Email</a>.</string>

<string name=”autofill_shielded_ids_email_dialog_upper_message_new_user”>Use an email address created for this app. This can protect you from online tracking and data breaches.</string>

The feature is not yet functional even though it was visible in the Autofill settings menu, which could mean a wider release is on cards soon.

It’s unclear whether Google will offer Shielded Email for free or include it as part of its paid Google One subscription. Charging for the feature could both encourage Google One sign-ups and prevent misuse of the service.

References from the APK teardown as shared by Android Authority –

<string name=”autofill_shielded_ids_create_button_text”>Use address</string>

<string name=”autofill_shielded_ids_email_dialog_title_returning_user”>Use Shielded Email?</string>

<string name=”autofill_shielded_ids_email_dialog_upper_message_returning_user”>Use an email address created for this app. Emails will forward to ^1</string>

<string name=”autofill_shielded_ids_email_label”>Use Shielded Email</string>

Apple also offers a similar Hide My Email feature for iCloud+ users. Available since 2021, Apple’s Hide My Email starts at $0.99 per month and protects users’ privacy by keeping their actual email addresses hidden.

FAQs

Q1. What is Google’s new feature ‘Shielded Email’ designed to do?

Answer. The Shielded Email feature lets users generate unique, random email addresses that are forwarded to their personal inbox helping users protect their personal email addresses.

Q2. How will Google Shielded Email help users avoid online tracking?

Answer. Google’s Shielded Email allows users to create email aliases for new accounts in Android apps or on the web, thereby protecting their real email addresses from online tracking and data breaches.