Google tells Congress it continues to allow developers to scan, share Gmail data

[ForPeace]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google (GOOGL.O) told U.S. senators that the company continues to allow developers to scan and share data from Gmail accounts, according to a letter made public Thursday.
Google defended its privacy practices for Gmail, the email service used by 1.4 billion people around the world, telling senators that developers may share data as "long as they are transparent" with users about how they are using data and get consent.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/google-tells-congress-continues-allow-developers-scan-share-164412861--finance.html

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No more at link

On edit: There is more at the link now

[CloudWatcher]

1. definition of cloud ...

Remember that the 'cloud' is just somebody else's computer. And they're making the rules that let you use it.

And of course, if you're not paying for it up front, then you're the product.

[think4yourself]

2. Google is not your friend.

I hate when people say that they are.

[Midnightwalk]

3. EU reaction should be interesting

Not a lawyer and I only know enough to know to talk to an expert if I ever had to. GDPR, General Data Protection Regulations went into effect in May this year in the EU, but the scope includes companies that aren't in the EU.

The regulations define termms such as data controller who says how the data is used; the mail account owner in this case. The data processor is google. The data subject is the person the data is about. Personal data is any data about a data subject. There are further classifications such as sensitive personal data.

Consent to share data must be given explicitly and in obvious and plain language terms by the data subject. The data processor and controller both have requirements. The fines are large, up to 4% of the annual turnover (not sure if that's basically revenue or profit).

The regulations are new so it isn't clear how they will be interpreted but the intent is data privacy by design and by default.

Google will try to make the controller (account owner) responsible for protecting personal data. If they find a loophole the EU may close it. If they are wrong it could be expensive. The US on the other hand probably won't get this any time soon. I haven't heard about similar legislation in the US.

I thought some background on GDPR might be interesting. Point out anything I might have wrong. The Wikipedia article has lots more detail.

[Auggie]

4. I cancelled gmail years ago for this very reason ...

I also try not to search via Google.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. "No more at link"?

There is a little bit more at the link, but I hardly think this is late breaking news of national importance.

[FakeNoose]

6. Portable hard drives are the answer

A small portable hard drive that holds 2 (maybe 3) terabytes is all you need. I don't need to upload anything to a cloud because I can take the drive with me. Normally I leave it home attached to my desktop computer, just for convenience.

It's a Western Digital Passport Ultra, about the size of a cellphone and it holds 2 TB. I think I paid maybe $129 for it.

[forgotmylogin]

7. Sigh. What's a better alternate for Gmail?

I want to cancel Facebook but they make it such a rigamarole.

[Raven123]

8. I have the same question

[Sgent]

9. GSuite or Office 365

are probably the best options. They are not free, but their TOS doesn't allow for sale / use of your data.

[forgotmylogin]

10. So...is G Suite just Gmail?

Except you pay for it? If you pay for it, they can't market your info?

[Sgent]

11. Pretty much

there maybe some other options out there, but those are the two biggest. It does include some features and extra storage that gmail doesn't -- even at the base level.

There is nothing preventing them from both charging and marketing (see your internet provider), but Google and Microsoft agree not to in their terms of service.

There are probably other, cheaper options that are equally as private, but I'm not familiar with any.

[Firestorm49]

12. Right to privacy, my ass.

Your doctor will not allow anybody not named on the form to receive your personal medical information. That’s about it.

Other than that, you’re out there, baby, and there isn’t anything you can do about it. Don’t like Google sharing your actual email information? Tough shit. Drop Google and try the next guy, who will more than likely do the same thing, as written in their 34 page fine print agreement written up by a team of lawyers, of which you probably are not.

We enter into these agreements by force, not choice. We can’t argue their point with a 35 page rebuttal. If there is an email (et al) provider that guarantees privacy, somebody please tell me.

Our phones can be tapped, our TVs can be intruded, and we’re on camera everywhere we go because as a society laden with guns and crime, law enforcement can’t keep up and is forced into a reactive rather than proactive mode.

So, smile, you’re on candid camera, whether it’s an email or a drive to town for a stinking loaf of bread.