Gmail confidential mode • Hacker News Board

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#21

Post by chronogram » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:10 AM UTC

duchenne wrote: post #14

ktpsns wrote: post #2

> removing options for recipients to forward, copy, print, and download Oh please... Everybody can do a screenshot nowadays, and even Google itself integrated OCR into its Screenshot tool at Android a few years ago. What a waste of time to make the life of people harder who must use this "security" feature!

Yes, this system does not seem to prevent the information from spreading. I guess that the logic is that most people who know how to make a screenshot also know how to make a fake screenshot. So, let's say that Mr A is not a very honest guy. Moreover, Mr A has a sensitive document that could be a liability in court. He wants to share it with Mr B. But, he does not completely trust Mr B. With this system, he can share…

Even easier, right? Can’t B press F12 and change the content easily? One mail is not enough evidence.

A would be better off using something like Snapchat for the confidentiality.

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#22

Post by targ2002 » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:11 AM UTC

When I was using lotus notes there was a similar feature, but it didn't work very well. As the message was sent to you inbox, you could modify the properties on the message, I created a button to unprotect the message because there were several people in my group who always had their message confidential and the information needed to sent to others quite frequently.

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#23

Post by chronogram » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:12 AM UTC

sverige wrote: post #18

The title made me think Google was announcing that they won't read my email any more. Alas.

This is for gsuite, so I suppose at least they don’t read your mails there.

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#24

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:23 AM UTC

Zarel wrote: post #9

saagarjha wrote: post #4

> Recipients who have malicious programs on their computer may still be able to copy or download your messages or attachments. “Malicious programs” such as any standards-complaint email software?

If I were implementing something like this, it would just be a link to an auto-expiring viewer page, if you opened the email in a third-party email client. And according to Google, that's exactly how it's implemented: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7674059 "Malicious programs" here most likely refers to things like keyloggers.

[deleted]

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#25

Post by maltalex » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:24 AM UTC

Proprietary "extensions" to email make me nervous.

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#26

Post by incompatible » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:25 AM UTC

Zarel wrote: post #9

saagarjha wrote: post #4

> Recipients who have malicious programs on their computer may still be able to copy or download your messages or attachments. “Malicious programs” such as any standards-complaint email software?

If I were implementing something like this, it would just be a link to an auto-expiring viewer page, if you opened the email in a third-party email client. And according to Google, that's exactly how it's implemented: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7674059 "Malicious programs" here most likely refers to things like keyloggers.

You aren't really sending email any more, just a link to a website.

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#27

Post by Kamshak » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:25 AM UTC

bambax wrote: post #17

This is very bad and makes me angry. If you send me an email I need to not worry about being able to save the information forever. Once somebody sends out something it is no longer theirs. But now the cancer of DRM leaks into our personal lives???!? At the very least receivers should be able to automatically reject any such email.

This isn't for your personal E-Mail, it's for professional E-Mail via GSuite

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#28

Post by aw4y » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:25 AM UTC

"gmail" and "confidential" in the same sentence. sure.

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#29

Post by aw4y » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:26 AM UTC

chronogram wrote: post #23

sverige wrote: post #18

The title made me think Google was announcing that they won't read my email any more. Alas.

This is for gsuite, so I suppose at least they don’t read your mails there.

why do you suppose that?

Re: Gmail confidential mode

#30

Post by incompatible » Wed, Mar 20, 2019, 9:27 AM UTC

Zarel wrote: post #9

saagarjha wrote: post #4

> Recipients who have malicious programs on their computer may still be able to copy or download your messages or attachments. “Malicious programs” such as any standards-complaint email software?

If I were implementing something like this, it would just be a link to an auto-expiring viewer page, if you opened the email in a third-party email client. And according to Google, that's exactly how it's implemented: https://support.google.com/mail/answer/7674059 "Malicious programs" here most likely refers to things like keyloggers.

Um, but what about attachments? A screenshot of an attachment wouldn't be much use.

Edit: I suppose it would be online PDF viewers etc., that allowed viewing but not downloading.