Google is getting ready for what will perhaps be one of the largest Gmail overhauls in a very long time. The search giant is now ready to allow you to change your Gmail address without creating another account. This service was first spotted in a Hindi-language help page and is apparently launching in India.
This will mean that instead of having to choose between retaining a current Gmail email address or abandoning it if they wanted to switch to a new email address, they can switch to a new email address and retain all their information prior to this date, while also allowing them to make use of the previous email address for email alias purposes in relation to messages intended for either of the email addresses they own.
You can finally fix that embarrassing email – with limits
Google’s policies include a number of “do’s and don’ts” in regards to data updates. These policies include the following do
- Only one Gmail address change will be allowed in 12 months for the users.”
- a maximum of three total changes per account will be permitted
- There is still a possibility of using the original address of the Gmail account for sign-in and mail delivery
- One cannot delete the new Gmail mail address after setting it up.
The users are unable to create another new address for their Gmail account for one year after they change.
Earlier, there used to be no other alternative but to open a different account and transfer data manually. This used to be a very time-consuming procedure that commonly resulted in third-party integrations messing up.
Rollout begins through support pages — but no official announcement yet
However, in English contact help, it is still stated, “Gmail addresses usually cannot be changed.” This means that the deployment of this feature is yet to commence in its entirety. There has been no official communication from Google, but this feature has been highlighted in the Google Pixel Hub channel in Telegram.
The implementation has been gradual, and there has been no official announce-ment, which brings into consideration the security issues.
Warning: Phishing scams expected as hackers prey on confusion
“Such ambiguity is right in the phishing mainstream,” asserts the information security specialist.
Since your Gmail login credentials are the same for your Google account, attackers could be sending phishing scam alerts asking for a “confirmation” or “update” of their address.
It looks like it could be good phishing material.Your Gmail login is also your login to your Google account.
Ways to keep safe
- Ignore emails or messages asking you to change the gmail address
- Change your address through official Google account settings
- Enable two-factor authentication to safeguard against accounts being taken over.
- Phishing pages pretending to be login sites and/or urgent notifications
When Google chooses to activate this feature to its fullest extent, be warned: this would lead to an increase in social engineering attempts by scammers. As with all things Google-related, Google would never ask for a link click for an update.
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A Privacy Upgrade of Google Chrome also leaks through documents
In conjunction with the redesign of Gmail, another leak has rolled in concerning Google’s Chrome browser and its plan to adopt Global Privacy Control, or GPC, to inform websites that they are not to sell and share its data.
“This development appears to be in line with California’s Opt Me Out Act, which will come into effect in 2027, where browsers are required to follow principles of ‘one-click privacy opt-out’ on a website. Unlike in the ‘Do-Not-Track’ feature implemented in the past, which websites could ignore at will, GPC has a chance of being a ‘norm’ for enforcing limits on data.”
This would align it with other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox that have already implemented GPC and reflect an overall trend on the part of Google to ensure that all platforms offer privacy-related functionalities.
What to Expect Next
progressive rollout of changes to Gmail addresses, also probably extending to other international domains outside of India • Official Google announcement when global availability is achieved Increase in phishing attacks directed at eager individuals Chrome’s Privacy Features to be Toughened Before the Rules in 2027. For now, those using the email service, Gmail, might soon be given a chance to “retire” their existing usernames; however, patience and caution will play a crucial role here, as well.
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