Google makes encryption mandatory in Gmail

Google has made encryption in Gmail mandatory, removing the ability of users to opt out of the feature, ANI reports.

It had been four years since the launch of HTTPS by default in Gmail, but until now, Google had allowed users to not use encryption.

According to a Cnet report, Google had explained at the time that the opt-out feature was necessary as encryption could make the mail slower.

According to a Google spokesperson, the team had been working hard to mitigate any performance costs, which now put the company in a position where it no longer made sense to allow HTTP connections.

Following revelations by whistleblower Edward Snowden, Google implemented a measure for internal encryption of Gmail messages as they moved about Google's servers and data centres, the report added.

According to the firm, encryption ''ensures that your messages are safe not only when they move between you and Gmail's servers, but also as they move between Google's data centres'', said the firm.

Gmail now always uses an encrypted HTTPS (secure) connection when users checked or sent email and it could not be turned off.

''No one can listen in on your messages as they go back and forth between you and Gmail's servers,'' Google said in a press release.

It said email was important to users and making sure it stayed safe and always available was important to the company.

According to Google, as users go about their day reading, writing and checking messages there are tonnes of security measures running behind the scenes to keep their email safe, secure, and there whenever users needed it.