Google Joins Reset the Net Campaign

Google has joined the Reset the Net campaign and has released the source code for a Chrome extension that grants easy end-to-end encryption.

The campaign that plans to act on June 5 in a global effort against plans to limit internet freedom, according to

Reset the Net already has a number of backers like Reddit, and will use the day to highlight security measures and privacy issues.

"Both sides of an email exchange need to support encryption for it to work; Gmail can't do it alone. Our data shows that approximately 40 to 50 percent of emails sent between Gmail and other email providers aren't encrypted. Many providers have turned on encryption, and others have said they're going to, which is great news. As they do, more and more emails will be shielded from snooping," Google said in a blog post this week.

The campaign is supported by the internet activist organization Fight for the Future.

Google confirmed that it encrypts all mail messages that it can, but is aware that it is hard for people to secure and encrypt all content sent between other email accounts.

"For people looking for even stronger email security, end-to-end encryption is a good option - but it's been hard to use. So today we're making available the source code for End-to-End, a Chrome extension. It's currently in testing, and once it's ready for general use it will make this technology easier for those who choose to use it," said Google.

The company is encouraging better security and password practices, and has added a section to its transparency report regarding the encryption it places on its customer's email.

Google said that it encrypts incoming and outgoing email messages with Transport Layer Security (TLS).

It reported that at least 70 percent of all outgoing emails sent to other providers are encrypted.

Of that amount, 48 percent of incoming emails receive the same treatment, according to the blog post.

"We finally have a chance to directly intervene in mass surveillance and make the internet safer for everyone, but we literally need everyone who gets this email to join in securing their devices. No more excuses. It's time to show our power and make the web a safer place for everyone," the internet activist group said in a statement.

Fight for the Future hopes the actions later this week will have "far-reaching" implications. The campaign comes around a year after Edward Snowden first made his PRISM surveillance disclosures.

"We've been working tirelessly behind the scenes on this, and we are pumped. There are a bunch of things we have to keep secret for now to ensure we have the element of surprise, but let's just say there are going to be some incredibly exciting announcements on 5 June," Fight for the Future added. "Reset the Net isn't a single protest or day of action, it's the beginning of a movement that will change the future of the internet forever. We'll be making history together, and showing the true power that internet users have when we stand up for our rights."