Google has been demonstrating for months that it wants to increase the security and privacy of its tools with the introduction of new systems and features. Now it's Gmail's turn, an application that gains a new system that makes it easier to send encrypted emails.
Until now, Gmail's email encryption system worked, but it wasn't easy to use. The company had received numerous requests all aimed at a single goal: to simplify its use so that senders and recipients could benefit from its advantages. Finally, Google has begun testing this new feature in its beta version.
A new encryption model
As we mentioned, the previous system was complex. To use encrypted messaging, the two parties had to exchange encryption certificates, which wasn't very convenient. Or, in other cases, it was necessary to resort to customized programs that would encrypt messages. For all these reasons, Google has opted to introduce this new encryption model, which allows you to send and receive emails with maximum protection in a completely simplified manner.
Google says that, for now, they've introduced this new feature in beta. And, since it's being tested, they've decided to activate it only for a select few Google users on their business service. Thus, at least for now, only messages sent to a Gmail address that's part of the same company as the sender can be encrypted. This will change soon once Google sees that everything is working correctly. The plan is that, in the coming weeks, these business users will be able to send encrypted messages to anyone with a @gmail.com address. If all goes well, the expectation is that, before the end of 2025, users who have this feature will be able to send encrypted messages to any email address, even if it's not a Gmail address.
Safety with maximum comfort
Google aims to ensure security for sending and receiving messages meets two objectives: to ensure it truly protects and to ensure it remains simple to use. In practice, users who have access to this new encryption method will find a button they can activate when composing their emails. They'll see it labeled "additional encryption" and simply need to check the box to have the draft email they're writing protected by the encryption system Google has developed specifically for this purpose.
Some experts are wondering how the encryption system will work once it's activated for addresses outside of Gmail. In this case, as mentioned, Google will send a Google Workspace link that recipients will have to click to access the email. They'll be able to securely view it and also respond to it in an alternative version of Gmail created specifically for the occasion and protected with maximum security. The exception will be users with addresses outside of Gmail who have configured the S/MIME system, in which case it won't be as complicated. In all cases, emails sent encrypted will go through a decryption process as soon as they reach the inbox. This ensures immediacy and allows business users with Gmail addresses to communicate securely with their clients, customers, employees, or any other address.
Everything indicates that this encryption technology will facilitate a more secure environment and one in which messaging can be sent with greater confidence. Now all eyes are on Google and the company's next steps to implement this system more globally.