Over the past few years, Google has been working hard to offer more and more privacy tools on Android. Now, a new report suggests that the company will bring a new option to protect your personal email address. The feature, called “Shielded Email,” could be integrated into Android in the near future.
Shielded Email may arrive on Android to protect your real email address
Since iOS 15, Apple device users have enjoyed “Hide my mail.” This feature, integrated into the Mail app, generates random email addresses whose received messages will be forwarded to your main account. It is a very useful option to protect your privacy, especially if you need to register on a website that you consider untrustworthy but requires your email. It also protects you against potential data breach incidents on third-party platforms.
According to recent findings, Android could receive a feature similar to “Hide my mail.” However, Google could integrate the so-called “Shielded Email” at the OS level, taking it a step further. In the latest Google Play Services update (v24.45.33), Android Authority spotted multiple strings referencing “Shielded Email” and how it works. The fact that the code is present in Play Services rather than the Gmail app is quite revealing.
You could sign up in apps with the generated emails
The Shielded Email feature will be useful for multiple use cases. One string indicates that you can create a fake email address to receive messages on your primary account. Yes, just like Apple’s “Hide my mail” feature.
However, another string says that Android’s Shielded Email can generate a fake email address when you need to sign up for an app as well. This would be extremely useful, as you would still receive messages from the app you signed up for, but without giving out your real email address. This ensures complete protection against potential external database hacks. You could also have the option to stop receiving messages from the generated email accounts, cutting off spam.
There are no details yet on the potential rollout date of Shielded Email on Android devices. Hopefully, new information will emerge about the feature soon.