Gmail recently announced that “confidential mode” will be launching on by default for business users on June 25, 2019.
This feature that adds more control by allowing senders to create expiration dates and revoke previously sent messages while preventing recipients from forwarding, copying, printing, or downloading their content or attachments.
But experts at the EFF criticizing calling the feature “confidential” mode “creates privacy and security expectations that the product just doesn’t meet:
“Confidential Mode provides absolutely no confidentiality from Google”
“My biggest fear with confidential mode is that it will give users a false sense of security that prevents them from seeking more secure, end-to-end encrypted communication options, like Signal or WhatsApp.”
Protonmail, a privacy focused email provider who is considered a direct competitor Gmail, wrote in their blog post:
“Without end-to-end encryption, Gmail confidential mode is little more than a marketing strategy.” and misleading.”
” Gmail’s confidential mode does not mean your messages are end-to-end encrypted. Google can still read them. Expiring messages aren’t erased for good, and the recipient can always take a screenshot of your message.”