Nowadays, it seems like every website, app, and service you use asks you to register for an account. When a service asks for your email address, how many times have you paused before entering it? Although Gmail does a good job of removing spam, sharing your email with someone who seems even a little questionable can feel risky. Based on our most recent deconstruction, Google may be working on a solution.
Google is reportedly working on ‘Shielded Email’ for Gmail to help protect users from spam. This feature could make app sign-ups safer and reduce the risks of sharing personal email addresses. It would do this by allowing users to create temporary email aliases that forward messages to their primary email address.
One of the biggest concerns for anyone who uses an email service is spam. Over time, numerous temporary email services have appeared to protect users from questionable emails while still giving them access to the information they need. However, temporary email addresses also have limitations. These include the inability to send sensitive information and maintain long-term communication.
Even though Google has implemented numerous spam prevention tools for Gmail, sharing your primary email address still carries certain risks. Google appears to have recognized this issue and may be developing an internal solution for temporary emails. The feature would work directly within the Gmail application.
When the team at Android Authority dissected the Google Play Services APK, they found a new feature called “Shielded Email.” The code contained several hints about the new feature. It would specifically handle apps that request your email address, potentially reducing the stress associated with app registration.
Users will reportedly be able to create limited-use or single-use email aliases with the Shielded Email functionality. These aliases would eventually redirect emails to the user’s primary address. When users sign up for a service, Google could provide them with a temporary email address. It would then forward follow-up emails to their primary address for a set period of time, much like some 10-minute temporary email services.
How Will Shielded Email Address Function?
The team at Android Authority noticed various references to “Shield Email” in the most recent version of the Gmail Android app. The idea is straightforward. Instead of providing your real email address to third parties, Google provides you with a temporary one.
Google would then redirect emails sent to your temporary address to your regular email inbox. If you decide that you no longer want to receive emails at that address, you could easily delete the temporary address. This could help you avoid dealing with unwanted messages, spam filters, and other problems.
Last but not least, a screenshot from Autofill with Google that Android Authority also discovered suggests that users might be able to have several “Shielded Emails” open simultaneously. As a result, the feature could become even more adaptable.
As of right now, Google has not formally discussed the “Shielded Email” functionality. The feature has only appeared in a few text references and user interfaces. Therefore, Google may still implement the “Shielded Email” function, but it could also discontinue the feature.
We’ll keep a careful eye on any further developments.
