Temporary email addresses are a popular way to avoid spam and protect your inbox. Many services offer disposable emails for free, but so far, no major tech company has introduced its own version of this feature. That might be about to change.
According to Android Authority, Google is possibly working on a new feature called “Shield Email.” This was spotted in the latest version of the Gmail app for Android. The idea is simple: Google provides a temporary email address that you can give to third parties. Any emails sent to this temporary address are forwarded to your main inbox. If you start getting spam or don’t want to use the address anymore, you can easily deactivate it. This way, you don’t have to deal with unwanted emails or spam filters.
Google Might Launch “Shield Email” for Better Privacy
The benefit of using a temporary email is clear. It protects your primary inbox from spam and potential data breaches. This is especially useful when signing up for newsletters, apps, or any service that might share your email with advertisers.
Most existing temporary email services only allow incoming emails. Outgoing emails are usually blocked to prevent misuse, like sending spam or phishing messages. It’s likely that Google’s “Shield Email” would have the same restrictions to keep the service secure and prevent abuse.
A screenshot from the Autofill with Google feature suggests users might be able to manage multiple Shielded Emails at the same time. This would allow you to create different temporary addresses for different purposes, such as online shopping or signing up for social media accounts. Having more than one temporary email could make the feature even more versatile and convenient.
However, remember that Google hasn’t officially announced “Shield Email” yet. So far, Android Authority discovered it in a few hidden references and user interface elements in the Gmail app. Google hasn’t confirmed any details about the feature, which suggests it might still be in the experimental phase. There’s a chance Google could change or even cancel it before launching.
If Google decides to launch “Shield Email,” it would be a valuable addition to Gmail. It would give users a simple and effective way to protect their privacy online. We’ll keep an eye on any updates and share more information as soon as it becomes available.
