Data classifications labels for Gmail are now generally available

What’s changing

In 2024 we introduced data classification labels for email in open beta, and since then we’ve introduced several feature enhancements including:

• Auto-classification labeling with data loss prevention (DLP) rules..
• Instant application of DLP rules and actions triggered by classification labels on the web.
• "“Sensitive content snippets”for Gmail messages that trigger data loss prevention rules.. 
• Events related to labeling, like “label_applied” or “label_removed” are now included in audit logs, allowing admins to generate reports based on label values for further analysis.
• Support  Android và iOS devices. 

Beginning today, we are pleased to announce that data classification labels are generally available, giving admins yet another way to enhance their security posture.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it’s important

Data breaches are increasingly common and costly across all organizations, including enterprises, public sectors, and government institutions. By extending data classification labels to Gmail, Google Workspace offers admins a more comprehensive and integrated system for protecting sensitive information.

Admins can create custom labels or leverage existing Drive labels within Gmail, enabling classification of emails based on department, document type, sensitivity, and more. This allows for the creation of targeted data protection rules, such as blocking the sending of internal-labeled emails to external recipients or automatically applying a confidential label to messages containing sensitive financial data.

The instant application of auto-classification and DLP rules in Gmail provides immediate feedback to users, educating them on data protection policies and allowing them to rectify issues before emails are sent, ultimately minimizing data breaches and improving overall data security.

Finally,availability on mobile devices provides a comprehensive experience, ensuring data is protected and labeled across all user devices, whether users are sharing and accessing information from desktop devices or from mobile devices on-the-go.

Additional details

To further enhance the data classification labels experience,  instant application  of DLP rules and actions triggered by classification labels will soon be generally available on mobile devices. We anticipate that this functionality will be available in May – we’ll share an update once we have more information.

Getting started

• Admins:
  • If you've been using classification labels since the open beta period, there are no changes to your experience.
  • If you’re new to Gmail classification labels, they can be enabled at the domain, group level, or individual user level. You also have the option to enable existing classification labels used in Drive for use in Gmail. The Label Manager tool can be accessed by going to Security > Access and data control or admin.google.com/ac/dc/labels in the Admin console. Visit the Help Center to learn more about getting started with  classification labels, Gmail DLP & automatic classification labels, and preventing data leaks in email and attachments..

The Label Manager tool can be accessed in the Admin console by going to Security > Access and data control

• End users: Depending on the data loss prevention rules configured by your admin, you may see a dialog letting you know that your message cannot be shared and how to fix your message so it can safely be shared. Visit the Help Center to learn more about classification labels in Gmail..

Users can apply classification labels to a message, according to the organization’s data governance policies

Classification labels on mobile when composing a message and reading a message

Rollout pace

• Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 23, 2025

Availability

The Label Manager and manual classification is available to Google Workspace:

• Frontline Starter and Standard
• Business Standard and Plus
• Enterprise Standard and Plus
• Education Standard và Education Plus
• Essentials, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus

Data loss prevention rules with labels as a condition or labels as an action are available to

• Enterprise Standard and Plus
• Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus, và the Teaching & Learning Upgrade
• Frontline Standard
• Cloud Identity Premium (in combination with a Workspace Edition that includes Gmail)