Google has announced that it will be rolling out ‘Confidential Mode’ for Gmail iOS and Android. The new mode lets users send emails that expire after a set amount of time. Further, recipients of these emails will not be able to forward, copy, print or download them. However, they will still be able to take screenshots if they want. Further, recipients who have malicious programs installed on their computer may still be able to copy or download the sent messages or attachments.
Sender’s also get an option of setting up a SMS Passcode in order to open the message. If selected, the recipient will get a SMS with a passcode that will be needed to open the mail. Senders also get the option of stopping a recipient from reading the email before the time limit expires.
To recall, the ‘Confidential Mode’ was added to Gmail on desktop a while back as part of a redesign for Gmail. However, reports suggested that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an intelligence note warning users of the “potential emerging threat… for nefarious activity” with the new Gmail redesign. The DHS noted that the Confidential Mode “presents as opportunity for malicious cyber actors to mimic the email message and phis unwary users. Attackers can reportedly send emails using confidential mode and make use of phishing links to get access to a victim’s personal information.
https://twitter.com/gmail/status/1030146398757511168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw