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Google introduces self-destructing emails with new Gmail confidential mode

Protect your precious email forwards from prying eyes by setting them to self-destruct after receipt using Gmail's new confidential mode.

Kevin Tucker

August 21, 2018 3:55 PM

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Ever the company to stay on top of evolving technological trends, Google has now unveiled a feature to Gmail users that will allow messages to be automatically destroyed after receipt or a set amount of time has passed.

The new Gmail "confidential email" feature allows users to set a pre-defined expiration date for specific or for all email communications, and secure their initial receipt through the use of special passcodes. It also stops recipients from forwarding, copying, printing, or otherwise downloading emails marked confidential, though there is no system in place to protect from screenshots just yet.

Granted, these new features won't necessarily work the same way across all email services: Gmail users can expect the most compatibility with the new confidential mode, but recipients using other services like Hotmail will have to open confidential Gmail emails through outside web-based portals.

Gmail's new confidential mode seems easy enough to use: when crafting a new message, users simply need to click on the three-dot Settings option and choose Confidential Mode. From there, they'll be directed to set up the passcode, the likes of which can be text messaged or emailed separately to the recipient. And, naturally, once the message is viewed and/or the receipt window closes, the email will presumably dissappear forever.

Beyond all this, Gmail users can also at long last revoke emails, a handy feature for those who like to send out questionable materials en masse, perhaps after a night full of bad decisions. This can be accomplished simply by opening the email, hitting the Settings button, then opting to remove access to the message.

Kevin Tucker

Guides Editor

Kevin Tucker is a core component of Shacknews' powerful guide development team. For questions, concerns, tips, or to share constructive criticism, he can be reached on Twitter @dukeofgnar or through e-mail at kevin.tucker@shacknews.com.