This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
Google has taken a significant step to protect user privacy by introducing a new image blocking feature in its Gmail app for iOS devices. This update aims to prevent email tracking by automatically blocking images that are loaded from external sources.
For years, email tracking clients have used small, invisible images to track when an email has been opened and viewed. This has allowed for invasive features like read-receipts, which can be used to monitor user behavior. However, with the new update, users can now choose to be asked each time whether or not to display external images in an email.
According to Apple App Store changelog, users can enable this feature by going to Settings > specific account > Images and selecting Ask before displaying external images.
The update is now available on the Apple App Store, and it is expected to counteract the tracking services that embed small invisible images into emails. This move is almost certainly a response to the controversy surrounding email tracking, which was highlighted by former Twitter executive Mike Davidson in July 2019.
As reported by The Verge, Google has confirmed that the update is only live for personal Gmail accounts, and it has yet to confirm whether it will roll out to enterprise accounts accessed through its G Suite platform. However, Google has stated that G Suite administrators who have set up the Rapid Release track on their G Suite domain will already have access to this feature, while G Suite domains on the Scheduled Release track will see this feature available shortly for their G Suite users.
Google has also emphasized that it runs all messages sent via Gmail through its own proxy servers, which means any location tracking services should be blocked early. The company has recently added the ability to stop a sender from being able to precisely locate a recipient via an IP address, and this new move is another step along the improved privacy journey.
Additionally, Google has rolled out a new feature this month for its G Suite users; a notification will be shown to your contacts in Gmail and Hangouts chats that you are away on vacation. This feature is currently only available to G Suite users but will be fully rolled out globally from September 16.
Gmail can be downloaded from the App Store for free.
