Outlook: External tag in profile cards

Outlook will add a visual indicator on profile cards to identify external email participants, enhancing security and reducing accidental data sharing. This feature, enabled by default, will roll out worldwide from mid to late September 2025. No preparation is needed, but user communication is recommended.

To enhance user awareness and communication security, the profile card in Outlook will soon include a visual indicator to help users identify external participants in email conversations. This update improves clarity and reduces the risk of sharing sensitive information with unintended recipients.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 498231

When this will happen

General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in mid-September 2025 and is expected to complete by late September 2025.

How this affects your organization

Once this update is deployed, Outlook users will see a clear visual cue on a user's profile card when communicating with individuals outside their organization. This feature is designed to reduce accidental data sharing and improve user confidence when managing external communications. The feature will be enabled by default and does not require configuration.

What you can do to prepare

No preparation is needed. However, we recommend informing your users about this change to reduce confusion and support adoption.

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.