You must have seen that Google is one of those companies which releases new features in the iOS app. One of those reasons is that iOS apps are generally easier to test as a limited number of iOS devices are available. On the other hand, there are devices of all sizes and variants for Android which is why its development becomes slower. We now know that a new feature has been added to the iOS version of the Gmail app. This new feature seems to be one more way in which users can curb email trackers.
Basically, you might be aware that Gmail does not provide email tracking built-in. Email tracking is a way in which you know that an email has been sent, delivered, read and more. Since Gmail does not provide this option, there are external Gmail trackers available. But Google seems to be against email tracking which is why this option of blocking external images has been added to Gmail’s iOS app.
Here is the official changelog of Gmail for iOS app which describes the new feature as follows:
You can now choose to be asked before external images are displayed automatically. To enable this for new incoming messages, go to Settings > specific account > Images and select Ask before displaying external images.
We also know that Gmail has the ability to block a sender from locating a recipient through an IP address. This is also one of the ways to track emails and you can disable it as well. Now, this makes it more clear that Google is against email tracking.
Previously, a Twitter user showed how a subscription email service is charging users for tracking emails. He revealed that the service lets email senders know when an email was opened and read by the receiver. This action from Google seems to be a retaliation of the same.