Mac Mail message: "Your network preferences prevent content from loading privately."

Question

Level 1

10 points

Mac Mail message: "Your network preferences prevent content from loading privately."

I'm running Mac OS 13.6.2 (Ventura) and have been for a while. Per the attached image, I have my Mail app privacy settings set to "Hide IP address" and "Block all remote content." This has been working well until recently. If I received an email with remote content, I would click the "Load Remote Content" button and the content would appear. Now it's changed, and if I click that button I'm presented with the message in my subject line, "Your network preferences prevent...." and I have to click a second button "Load Content Directly."

The only that has changed is that I switched my ISP from Comcast to ATT Fiber. I have a new router. However, I set up this router to the same Wifi network name as before. All other apps and devices appear to have made a seamless transition to ATT Fiber.

So if I believe, for a moment, that there IS some network setting that needs to be adjusted, can anyone point me in the right direction? Or is this a problem with Mac Mail / MacOS network settings? Advice appreciated.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.2

Posted on Jan 4, 2025 10:34 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

6x6

Level 6

19,317 points

Jan 4, 2025 4:11 PM in response to Ken L Alpha

Are you using Private Relay? If so, try to turn it off to test.

Otherwise, you coud just check "Protect Mail Activity" (this is what I use on my Mac). This would uncheck automatically "Block All Remote Content" but you will still be protected. To know more, click on "Learn more..." in the screenshot you published.

Reply

Answer 2

Jan 5, 2025 7:39 AM in response to Ken L Alpha

If the footer is correct and you’re running macOS 13.2, consider an update to macOS 13.7.2, and test again.

There are three related but different mechanisms.

There is the remote image block, the download-on-reception mechanism, and a means to proxy the download.

Blocking remote images has been around for a long while, and is probably what you are seeking here. So-called tracking pixels are tiny images. (It’s also possible for a sender to attach identifying data onto any embedded remote access, not just on a tiny image.)

The lattermost can get tangled with “coffee shop” VPN usage, though given you’re concerned about your privacy, you’re probably not using one of those metadata tracking festivals.

Use Mail Privacy Protection on Mac - Apple Support (macOS 12 and later, too)

Above ignores iCloud+ Private Relay for nail-related HTTPS activity, which can also obviously get involved here.

Reply

Answer 3

etresoft

Level 9

56,326 points

Jan 5, 2025 7:58 AM in response to Ken L Alpha

Ken L Alpha wrote:

I don't use Private Relay.

Are you using any other 3rd party "security", "privacy", VPN, firewall, or network filter apps?

Reply

Answer 4

Ken L Alpha Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 4, 2025 9:04 PM in response to 6x6

I don't use Private Relay. I read the privacy explanation. My main objective is to block services like Mail Track that include a tracking pixel in an image. I used the settings in my image because I don't want the sender to think I've read their email. It seems turning on "Protect Mail Activity" downloads the images in an email in the background. I was concerned that the download will trigger the Mail Track tracker and the sender will think I've read their email. I chose the settings in my image because it seems that won't happen.

Now this new complication arises in which other emails with remote content, not using Mail Track, are not loading correctly due to my "network settings". Please correct my understanding on whether Mail Track will be blocked while using "Protect Mail Activity" or my current setup. Thanks!

Reply

Answer 5

Ken L Alpha Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 5, 2025 8:13 AM in response to etresoft

No 3rd party apps

Reply

Answer 6

6x6

Level 6

19,317 points

Jan 5, 2025 6:15 AM in response to Ken L Alpha

Ken L Alpha wrote:

Please correct my understanding on whether Mail Track will be blocked while using "Protect Mail Activity" or my current setup. Thanks!

That part is also fuzzy to me when it comes to tracking pixels. If the tracking pixel contains a unique reference to the email and the addressee, then I assume the sender will know the email was open if it is open by a 3rd party (i.e. Protect Mail Activity).

I am going to reach out to other contributors to get their opinions.

Reply