Google Expands Email Encryption Across Providers
Google is rolling out a major upgrade to Gmail security by enabling end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for emails sent to users on other email platforms, such as Outlook. Previously, this level of encryption was mostly limited to Gmail-to-Gmail communication. With the new update, Gmail users—specifically business users on Google Workspace Enterprise Plus with the Assured Controls add-on—can now send encrypted emails beyond Google’s own ecosystem.
While messages between Gmail users appear directly in their inboxes, recipients on other platforms will need to access the encrypted message through a secure guest Gmail account. Though this adds a small step, it still removes much of the complexity typically associated with encryption—like key exchanges or special apps.
Google says the goal is to make strong encryption seamless for both IT teams and end users, addressing the long-standing usability issues of protocols like S/MIME. The update is part of Google’s push to offer stronger data privacy, sovereignty, and user-friendly security tools.
For users, this means safer communication—even when emailing outside their organization. While the feature is enterprise-focused for now, it reflects a growing industry trend toward easier, more secure cross-platform communication, as seen with similar efforts by companies like Proton.
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If you need to protect sensitive communications, please see www.pfortner.co.za or send an email to info@pfortner.co.za, and we will get back to you.