Temporary pause to external email labelling
External emails will no longer be marked with the text “External” in the subject line until further notice. IT Services has temporarily paused the feature to ensure that email is delivered as expected.
On 19 October, a warning label was introduced in the subject line of emails from external senders. The purpose was to make it clearer when a message came from outside the University’s email environment and to help users identify potential phishing attempts.
Since introducing the feature, IT Services has seen examples suggesting that the labelling may affect email delivery for some recipients. To ensure that important emails are delivered correctly, IT Services has therefore temporarily paused the feature. The issue is currently being investigated together with the supplier.
As a result, emails from external senders will not be marked with the text “External” in the subject line until further notice.
This pause is a precautionary measure. IT Services has not identified any widespread delivery issues but wants to minimise the risk of the feature affecting email delivery.
Please remain vigilant when receiving emails from external senders. Always check the sender carefully before clicking links, opening attachments, or sharing sensitive information.
New labelling of external emails to reduce the risk of phishing
Last updated: 2026-10-27
Source: IT Services