Apple’s plan to change privacy features that allow paying customers to hide their real email addresses when they create online accounts could make it easier for apps and websites to block anonymous sign-ups.
Apple’s Hide My Email is an iCloud+ feature that creates an anonymous email address underneath. @icloud.com We then forward the message to the individual’s real email address. The reason these personally generated email addresses work is because your email address is indistinguishable from regular Apple users who use Apple ID. @icloud.com domain.
In a memo to developers on Monday, Apple said that in the coming weeks it will move anonymously generated email addresses to: @private.icloud.comEffectively, apps and websites can easily see that your email address is private and block users from signing up.
In a note to developers, Apple said existing addresses will continue to work and deliver mail without interruption. The company added that apps and email providers will need to update their filtering to ensure emails sent to customers using this feature continue to be delivered.
Several Apple users on Reddit criticized the email domain change, saying it would make it more difficult to use the service.
Apple did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment on the change and did not explain the reason for the change.
Earlier this year, TechCrunch reported that Apple handed over the real account information of users who had created anonymized email addresses using Hide My Email to send threatening emails to FBI Director Kash Patel’s girlfriend.
The Trump administration has been trying to uncover anonymous accounts, including those critical of Trump, over the past year using subpoenas to require tech companies to disclose information about their users.
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