Now that Gmail lets you block external images in emails from now on, the app is putting a stop to companies that want to follow you in this way.
Gmail update better protects against trackers
The function has been available in the web version of Gmail for some time, but is also making the switch to the iPhone and iPad thanks to a software update. This is a welcome improvement for the amount of people who check their mail purely on their iPhone.
By turning on the new setting, images in e-mails are blocked and a message appears first whether you want to view them. The images will not be loaded until you have given permission. Follow the steps below to turn the setting on.
How to block images in Gmail:
- Update the Gmail app to the most recent version;
- Launch the Gmail app and open the side menu by tapping the three dashes at the top left;
- Scroll down the side menu and select ‘Settings’;
- Choose your Gmail account and tap ‘Pictures’ under ‘General’;
- Here you choose whether or not to display external images by default.
In this way you can protect yourself against so-called trackers: invisible pieces of code that are incorporated in images to keep an eye on you. For example, a tracker can let the sender of the mail know when and sometimes even where you opened the message. Valuable information for companies, but which you as a user probably do not want.
For now, the new setting is only available for personal Gmail accounts, and not those that are arranged for an entire company through G Suite. It is unclear whether this option will be added later or must first be activated by the administrator of a specific G Suite before this is possible.
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