Gmail has released its new security standard, BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification), in an official blog post, “Safety First”. This feature can permanently remove the risk of billions of phishing emails.
This feature was released after Gmail was hit by a serious spam filter flaw earlier this month. This flaw sent potentially malicious emails directly to users’ inboxes. Google, hence worked on its security and has launched BIMI to win back users’ trust.
Google’s security feature – BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification)
This security standard will build authentication directly into company logos which will not allow a foul or a fake eBay or banking email ever again. BIMI will require the companies to validate the ownership of their corporate logos directly with Google. The authenticated emails will pass through Gmail’s anti-abuse checks, post which they will start displaying the logo in existing slots in the Gmail UI.
Companies will have a designated period as they apply for their validation. Hence, one can say that there can be an early mover advantage because emails that will show the company logo in the users’ inbox will catch their attention first than the ones without the logos.
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Although this security feature has its advantages, it does have a downside. A major one is that BIMI will release an initial pilot version to Gsuite users instead of releasing it to all Gmail users. Another one is that this pilot version wouldn’t be available for months which will continue the threat of phishing emails to Gmail users.
Google plans a big redesign plan for Gmail services
It seems that Google has a redesign plan all set for Gmail service but with the pilot version of BIMI to be released to Gsuite customers, a lot will depend on its adoption by the customers, being primarily positioned for business communication.
Google had started rolling out several Gmail upgrades, initially for Gsuite users. These features include the integration of messaging and meeting features with Gmail, allowing users to add Google with Meet and integration to Gmail on Android. Hence, it is safe to say that with the roll-out of these massive upgrades, Google is indeed on a roll.