If you want to send an e-mail with sensitive information to someone, it is good to know that Gmail offers a confidential mode for that. When you use the mode, you can ensure that emails delete themselves after a certain period, but you can also set the messages to be protected with an access code.
To be able to send an email with sensitive information, you need the Gmail application on your smartphone or tablet. Then you proceed as you always do. You enter the recipient (s), change the sender where necessary and type what you want to type. When you’re done, tap on the three dots at the top of the screen. You will find those dots on the right. Here is the option Confidential mode. Two options now appear on the screen: set the expiry time and the access code. Set the expiration date and optionally choose an access code. When you have finished setting, press at the bottom Save (the wide, blue button).
Confidential mode in Gmail
If everything went well, you will see the expiration date at the bottom of the mail, along with the explanation that “recipients cannot forward, copy, print or download this mail. With the large blue button you can still change the settings.
You can choose between two options to set the access code. In standard mode, Google provides a code that the recipient must enter, while the other option ensures that the recipient receives a code by text message. That code is then required for reading the message.
If you wish, you can also make the e-mail with confidential information unavailable earlier than the previously set end date. Within the Gmail app you can open the menu (the three lines on the left, also called the hamburger menu) and then navigate to the heading sent. In this field, look up the mail that you have given an end date and choose the option in the next screen Remove access.
Furthermore, it is useful to know that the Confidential mode is not waterproof. Because although recipients cannot copy, forward, print or download messages, they can still make a screenshot of them. So keep that in mind when you decide to share confidential information via the Gmail app. People can also still download the attachments.
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