Summary
Apple Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) significantly impacts macOS Monterey users, even those using email clients like Outlook. MPP, along with Private Relay, functions by routing traffic through Apple proxies and encrypting data, affecting users accessing mail through the Apple Mail application, regardless of the email provider. Key impacts include masking IP addresses, affecting geolocation tracking, and less accurate open rates due to pre-fetched email content. Private Relay, when enabled, further extends these privacy features to all network traffic from the device, adding another layer of complexity for tracking and analysis.
Key findings
- App-Level Impact: MPP affects emails opened in the Apple Mail app, independent of the email service provider (Gmail, Outlook, etc.).
- IP Masking & Encryption: MPP and Private Relay hide IP addresses and encrypt network traffic, enhancing user privacy.
- Universal Privacy: Private Relay, as part of iCloud+, applies these protections to all network traffic when active, not just email.
- Proxy Usage: Traffic is routed through Apple proxies, affecting geolocation and potentially open rate accuracy.
Key considerations
- Tracking Adjustments: Email marketers need to adjust tracking strategies due to less reliable open rates and geolocation data.
- Platform Focus: The primary impact is on those using the Apple Mail app on macOS Monterey, iOS 15, and iPadOS 15.
- Broader Implications: Private Relay's effect extends beyond email, affecting all network traffic and potentially hindering comprehensive tracking.
- Privacy Considerations: It is vital to respect the user's enhanced privacy and comply with all applicable data protection regulations.
What email marketers say
9 marketer opinions
Apple Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) impacts macOS Monterey users by affecting email opened through the Apple Mail application, irrespective of the email service provider (e.g., Gmail, Outlook). This protection masks IP addresses and affects open tracking, potentially impacting geolocation data and registering emails as opened, even if they are not.
Key opinions
- App Specific: MPP's impact is determined by the email app used (Apple Mail) rather than the email service provider (Gmail, Outlook).
- Privacy Features: MPP hides IP addresses and masks open data, affecting geolocation and open rate metrics.
- Universal Impact: MPP affects all emails opened in the Apple Mail app on macOS Monterey, regardless of the email account.
Key considerations
- Tracking Accuracy: Email marketers should expect less accurate open rates and geolocation data due to MPP.
- Platform Impact: The impact of MPP is most relevant for users accessing email via the Apple Mail app on macOS Monterey.
- Proxy Usage: Apple Mail downloads all images through a proxy, affecting tracking capabilities.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Stack Overflow mentions that if a Mac OS Monterey user is using Apple Mail, regardless of whether it's a Gmail, Outlook, or other account, MPP will affect open tracking, as Apple Mail downloads all images through a proxy.
17 Sep 2023 - Stack Overflow
Marketer view
Email marketer from Litmus shares that MPP affects all mail accessed through the Apple Mail app, regardless of the email provider (like Gmail or Outlook) as long as they are using the Apple Mail app. They are also now masking IP addresses.
20 Jan 2022 - Litmus
What the experts say
4 expert opinions
Apple Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) on macOS Monterey impacts users by routing traffic through Apple proxies for Apple Mail users. This is similar to Apple's Private Relay, which functions as a VPN and affects all traffic from a machine when enabled. The impact on open rates and geolocation tracking is present even when using Outlook within the Apple Mail app, regardless of the email provider.
Key opinions
- Apple Proxy: Traffic from Apple Mail users on Monterey will be seen coming from Apple proxies.
- Private Relay: Private Relay, a VPN-like feature, affects all traffic when enabled.
- Universal Impact: MPP impacts open rates and geolocation tracking regardless of the email provider (like Outlook) if accessed through Apple Mail.
Key considerations
- Network Traffic: Expect to see traffic originating from Apple's infrastructure.
- VPN-Like Behavior: Private Relay will affect all network traffic on a device.
- Tracking Implications: Open rate and geolocation data will be less reliable for Apple Mail users.
Expert view
Expert from Spamresource notes that Apple Mail Privacy Protection affects all emails accessed through the Apple Mail app, regardless of the email provider, if they are using Mac OS Monterey.
12 Dec 2023 - Spamresource
Expert view
Expert from Word to the Wise explains that Apple Mail Privacy Protection on macOS Monterey will function similarly to iOS and iPadOS. It will impact open rates and geolocation tracking, even if users are using Outlook within the Apple Mail app.
31 Mar 2025 - Word to the Wise
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Apple Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) and Private Relay in macOS Monterey function to enhance user privacy by hiding IP addresses and encrypting internet traffic. MPP, mirroring its iOS and iPadOS counterparts, impacts open rates and geolocation tracking for emails opened in the Apple Mail app. Private Relay, included with iCloud+, further protects user data by encrypting traffic and using multiple relays, affecting all network activity on the device.
Key findings
- IP Masking: MPP and Private Relay both hide the user's IP address, preventing it from being linked to online activity or location.
- Traffic Encryption: Private Relay encrypts traffic leaving the device, safeguarding browsing activity.
- Open Rate Impact: MPP affects open rates and IP-based geolocation for emails opened in the Apple Mail app.
- Whole Device Privacy: Private Relay affects all network traffic on the machine when it's enabled.
Key considerations
- Data Accuracy: Email marketers should anticipate reduced accuracy in open rates and geolocation data due to MPP.
- Network Routing: Traffic might be routed through multiple relays, impacting network analysis.
- Broader Impact: Private Relay's effect extends beyond email, influencing all network traffic, and impacting tracking beyond email activities.
Technical article
Documentation from Apple Developer highlights Mail Privacy Protection in macOS Monterey. They state it hides the user's IP address so it can’t be linked to their other online activity or used to determine their location, and prevents senders from seeing if the recipient has opened their email.
12 May 2022 - Apple Developer
Technical article
Documentation from Apple Support explains Private Relay is a service that hides your IP address and browsing activity in Safari and protects unencrypted internet traffic so that no one — including Apple — can see both who you are and what sites you’re visiting. This feature impacts all traffic on the machine when active.
16 Dec 2024 - Apple Support
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