Google’s latest update to Gmail is “Confidential Mode.” Google wants to offer Gmail users greater control over who sees their emails and for how long.
Confidential Mode in Gmail allows users to disable their rights and ability to forward, download, copy, or print specified emails. Additionally, Gmail users may request a password reset to prevent recipients from accessing sent emails. Google is supposed to send the passcode via SMS. Additionally, Gmail users may choose an expiry date for emails sent.
Uses
The Sensitive Mode in Gmail is anticipated to be very attractive to businesses, organizations, and people that send highly confidential emails since it offers them complete control over how recipients read and utilize the email.
Before the latest upgrade, recipients of emails had no limits or limitations on downloading, printing, copying, or forwarding such emails. However, without proper controls, such emails may get into the wrong hands and be exploited for fraudulent reasons.
However, Gmail’s Confidential Mode gives users complete control over their emails. Sensitive communications, such as tax returns and Social Security numbers, may be safeguarded from printing, forwarding, or copying. Senders may require recipients to obtain a password to access their Google email. Additionally, an email with an expiry date should be anticipated to vanish from the recipient’s inbox. As a consequence, the new upgrade provides Gmail users with more privacy and a more secure experience.
Challenges
While recipients are not permitted to print, download, copy, or transmit received messages, they may take screenshots or photographs of them or ask others to see them on their screens. According to reports, Google has not replied to an email expressing those worries.
Additionally, the new upgrade introduces a new difficulty, since senders may be required to provide Google with the recipient’s phone number, most likely without the recipient’s permission. Google’s new privacy feature will increase the number of emails stored on its servers.
Another issue highlighted by Gmail’s Confidential Mode is that hackers and others with fraudulent intent may put a time restriction on the duration of an email’s availability to entice users to click on harmful links for phishing purposes.
While Gmail’s Confidential Mode is a welcome addition, it remains unclear how the new capabilities will function if recipients are not Gmail users but rather customers of other email service providers.