Encryption is one of the most important mechanisms for protecting data exchanged between individuals, especially when the information exchange occurs over e-mail and is quite sensitive. As a result, it can be complicated for users to be able to achieve this when they use public resources such as the internet. 

Now that Gmail has added client-side encryption to its mobile platform, users may feel safer when sending emails with Gmail on their mobile devices. Earlier this year, Google announced that it would be supporting Android and iOS mobile devices with client-side encryption in Gmail too. 

Using Google's client-side encryption (CSE) feature, which gives users more control over encryption keys and data access, Gmail can now be used on Android and iOS devices, as well as web browsers. In the past few months, Gmail's web version has been upgraded to support client-side encryption. This app lets users read and write encrypted emails directly from their smartphones and tablets. 

In addition to the Education Plus and Enterprise Plus editions of Google Workspace, the Education Standard edition also offers the feature. Workspace editions that don't support client-side encryption, such as Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard Plus, Business Pro Plus, etc., do not support client-side encryption. 

Furthermore, users who have personal Google accounts are not able to access it. For those using email via desktop through Gmail, client-side encryption will be available at the end of 2022 on a trial basis. Workspace users with a subscription to Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, or Education Standard were the only ones able to take advantage of this feature at that time. 

Client-side encryption also prevented certain features from working, including the multi-send mode, signatures, and Smart Compose, which all functioned properly when using client-side encryption. A more robust version of the feature has been added to the Google Play Store since then. 

The company added the capability to allow users to see contacts even if they are unable to exchange encrypted emails so that they can keep in touch. There is also a security alert that appears in Google Mail when users receive attachments that are suspicious or that cannot be opened because of security concerns. 

While client-side encryption will now be available under the Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard Workspace accounts shortly, it has remained relatively exclusive. This type of Workspace account will also be the only kind of account that will be able to take advantage of the mobile rollout of client-side encryption. 

By using the S/MIME protocol, Google said that it will allow its users to encrypt and digitally sign their emails before sending them to Google servers so that they adhere to compliance and regulatory requirements. This feature lets users access and work with your most sensitive data from anywhere with their mobile devices. 

The blue lock icon present in the subject field of Gmail for Android or iOS users allows them to enable client-side encryption while they are writing a Gmail email for Android or iOS devices. Administrators will, however, have to enable access to the feature through their CSE administration interface, as it is disabled by default. 

During the past week, the search giant celebrated its 25th anniversary by letting teens (age 13 and above) try out its generative search service. The company also announced a new tool called Google-Extended that would enable website administrators to control how Google's Bard AI can be trained on their content. It allows website administrators to control whether or not Google can access their content. 

In addition to pulling the plug on Gmail's basic HTML version, which used to support legacy browsers and users with slow connections and could be used to support legacy browsers, Google will also drop the automatic loading of Gmail's Basic view, instead loading the Standard view by default early next year. Customers who are using Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard will be able to take advantage of this feature.