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Google´s "Privacy" Reminder using your Gmail contents

Concern on Google´s terms to access what we all write in Gmail

cyberlogos

12:03 am on Jul 6, 2015 (gmt 0)

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Today when I login to my Gmail, I was compelled to agree on this “PRIVACY REMINDER” in order to use my (or so I thought) e-mail account:

“When you use Google services to do things like write a message in Gmail or comment on a YouTube video, we store the information you create”
I wonder if you have the same understanding of what “Privacy” means, but mine differs from Gmail storing my message contents for Google´s own use. This means all our own messages are being accessed and handled at their will... and if you don´t like it, Google warns :
“If you don’t want Google to store your data at all, you can delete your entire Google Account”

I don´t mind Google using my consumer or search preferences to enhance, enrich or target my navigation habits, but NOT my messages contents... I thought these were confidential - until now! What do you think about this lifehack policy ? At the end of the day, Google being a publicity company, no wonder they grant their services to squeeze every bit of info out of their products ( users being the "products" ).
Share your views on this outrageous condition to access “your own” gmail account...don´t you think Google aims to absorb & handle way too much from users ?

toidi

11:36 am on Jul 6, 2015 (gmt 0)

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Another reason to not use gmail.

engine

11:50 am on Jul 6, 2015 (gmt 0)

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Thanks for the reminder, but isn't this the case with almost any other account. Everything you do on the Internet passes through servers that you will never know about. If it's not encrypted, it can be intercepted. It's one way hacks are made.
Your ISP will have logs of your surfing habits, your IP gives away information to others, too, and your own cookies reveal data to others.

In effect, Google is only reminding you that there are implications for using their services.

I'm not defending Google, before you suggest so, i'm just pointing out that this is the case in most services used by users, including outlook, and any other mail and online services.

Privacy is one of the important things that the vast majority of people just don't get, yet. WebmasterWorld Members are not included in that statement.

cyberlogos

1:57 am on Jul 7, 2015 (gmt 0)

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Hence, when I want private surfing with no IP track I use Tor browser, and a real-private email service. I have nothing to hide, it´just pisses off to be monitored so bluntly all over.
I foresee a pro-privacy tsunami approaching... before "Skynet" seizes more power ( ref. Terminator/Genesis )

engine

7:48 am on Jul 7, 2015 (gmt 0)

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cyberlogos, I suspect there are many, many people that agree with your point of view. It's, in part, brought about by having no choice if using a service. For example, if you don't want it, you cancel your account. That's pretty blunt.

Nowadays, you buy an Android smartphone and it's got all Google's services built in, including a Google account. Many people don't even realise the situation.
I'm really surprised more has not been made of the lock in.

It reminds me of the days of buying a PC and you got MSIE as default on the OS.

cyberlogos

2:05 pm on Jul 7, 2015 (gmt 0)

10+ Year Member

Back on those days there were not many more options except MSIE, but now users are more used to choices. I don´t mind having Google+ as a useful option, but it is annoying when it is imposed as a must, as when you want to download an app and you need a gmail account.
No one is protesting on the fact that on your Android, your Gmail address is open on default, and if you lose the phone anyone can access "your" Gmail. Do you know how to do in order to open and close Gmail on mobile -not to leave it open?

Now I use Firefox as my default browser because Google Chrome insist me to join Google+ and not only keep JUST Gmail.
I hope Google Chrome executive directives read this important forum here and listen. If they want to compete vs facebook they should not force users into that arena

creeking

10:47 pm on Jul 7, 2015 (gmt 0)

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Nowadays, you buy an Android smartphone and it's got all Google's services built in, including a Google account.

on a tablet, can this be removed/deleted/nulled without bricking the tablet?

Sunnyday77

1:56 pm on Jul 9, 2015 (gmt 0)

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Could anybody find a solution to this? I do not want to agree to this "demanding" privacy requirement. Google doesn't give any choice just to agree and allow them to "dig" my inbox and other info. This is crazy! The option they offer - to delete my account is not settling for me after using their account for many years all my contacts know my this email address...Please advise.

Swanny007

9:41 pm on Jul 11, 2015 (gmt 0)

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Sunnyday77, forward your Gmail to a new account, such as Outlook, Yahoo, whatever. I stopped using Gmail years ago, I just forward all email to my new account so I don't miss anything.

Lots of people agree to terms without reading them every day. In my mind I'd rather spread my data around. I use DuckDuckGo for search, Outlook.com for email, Apple for my iPhone, etc. That way any one company only has so much data on me. Lots of Google sheep out there folks...

engine

1:18 pm on Jul 20, 2015 (gmt 0)

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>on a tablet, can this be removed/deleted/nulled without bricking the tablet?

I very much doubt it - the OS on most Android tablets is Google's Android. You'd have to go to an open source version of Android. I'm not sure if the tablet maker would have probably put in something to stop you replacing the Android OS.