Google will add end-to-end encryption for Gmail web

Google announced that end-to-end encryption will soon be available on Gmail for the web

Google starts the application process for the client-side encryption beta program

Google has announced that it is introducing end-to-end encryption^[1] to Gmail on web browsers. According to a blog post^[2] from the company, the feature is currently in beta testing and allows users to send and receive encrypted emails within and outside their domain.

This new feature, called client-side encryption^[3] by Google, will make it so that sensitive data in the body of the email and attachments are indecipherable to Google servers. It will also allow customers to retain control over the encryption keys and the identity service used to access those keys. The company wrote in a blog post:

Google Workspace already uses the latest cryptographic standards to encrypt all data at rest and in transit between our facilities. Client-side encryption helps strengthen the confidentiality of your data while helping to address a broad range of data sovereignty and compliance needs.

Google has announced that it will be offering end-to-end encryption for Gmail on web browsers through a feature called client-side encryption. This is not the first time that Google has offered client-side encryption, as it is already available for Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Google Meet, and Google Calendar (in beta testing).

The new feature will be available to users with a Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, or Education Standard license. The application process for the beta program will remain open until January 2023.

While emails get more secure and technology brings more security to your life, new technology and smart house tools and pieces around you can spy on everything. Big tech companies can listen to your conversations and spy on every move when Alexa and Hey Google tools for the home can turn on silently and collect information.

Client-side encryption explained

Client-side encryption is a method of encrypting data on the client side, rather than on the server side. In other words, the data is encrypted on the device of the person sending the data, rather than on a server or network.

Client-side encryption is often used to protect the privacy and security of data transmitted over the internet. For example, an email client that uses client-side encryption would encrypt the email on the sender's device before it is sent over the internet. This means that the email is encrypted while it is in transit and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient.

Client-side encryption is different from server-side encryption, in which the data is encrypted on the server before it is transmitted. Client-side encryption can be more secure because it gives the user more control over the encryption process and the encryption keys. However, it can also be more complex to implement and may require more resources on the client side.

The benefits of the new feature for Gmail users

One of the main benefits of end-to-end encryption for email^[4] is privacy. When you send an email without end-to-end encryption, it is possible for third parties, such as internet service providers or hackers, to intercept and read the email. With end-to-end encryption, the contents of the email are encrypted at the source and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient, ensuring that no one else can access the contents of the message. This can be especially important for individuals or organizations that need to keep their communications confidential, such as lawyers or journalists.

Another benefit of end-to-end encryption for email is security. Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to gain access to sensitive information, and email is often a target. With end-to-end encryption, the contents of the email are encrypted and cannot be read by anyone other than the sender and the intended recipient. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to steal sensitive information or trick users into giving away personal details.

End-to-end encryption can also provide legal protection for the sender and recipient of the email. In some cases, emails that are encrypted with end-to-end encryption may be considered privileged communication and are therefore protected from being disclosed in legal proceedings. This can be especially important for individuals or organizations that need to keep their communications confidential for legal reasons.