Google announces message encryption for Gmail, yes, but…

End-to-end email encryption will be enabled first for business customers using Gmail.

Google is taking a step in the right direction and now offering more protection through its messaging service.

End-to-end encryption performed on the browser

It was via a note on its official blog that the service announced the deployment of a client-side encryption system, only accessible from the web version of messaging.

This system is in addition to the one already in place on several brand services such as Google Calendar, Google Drive, or even Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Drive.

Be careful however, Gmail will not currently allow all of its users to benefit from complete protection of the content of their emails. Only Google Enterprise Plus, Education Plus and Education Standard customers who subscribe to Google Workspace will initially be able to benefit from this new option.

An additional option that does not prevent Google from accessing valuable advertising data

To benefit from end-to-end encryption, the users and companies concerned will have to use external key management software to generate the encryption.

A new “Additional encryption” button will appear in the message composition window. With one click, the content of the email will be fully encrypted and Google will not be able to read the information contained or the attachments. Only the message header, namely the timestamp, the list of recipients and the subject will be accessible in clear text. Encryption will take place in the browser.

Google seems to want to make some efforts to protect the privacy of its customers, but this strategy, a priori more virtuous, is also allowed by the new data collection model put in place by the brand. Google no longer needs to scan e-mails to find information, and now focuses on metadata related to consumption habits, such as hours of use of messaging or devices used. The data crossed with that of other services, such as Google Maps, or Chrome, the American firm is now able to establish a complete and precise advertising profile, which uses less personal data.

Users interested in this new option still have until January 20, 2023 to register for the beta offered by the search giant.

Source : Bleeping Computer