Gmail users 'have no right to privacy'

Google has raised more than a few eyebrows by claiming Gmail users have no right to expect their emails to remain private, in what has been branded a “stunning admission” of the extent to which users’ privacy is compromised.
The online giant has argued in a US lawsuit that people who send messages via email should not “be surprised” if those messages are intercepted by the email provider, in the same way that someone sending a letter to a business associate might expect it to be opened by a secretary.
Google gets income from targeting ads at users based on detailed information about them, but it is rare that the firm is so blatant about the deal people are entering when they use free Google services.
The document was lodged by Google in a California court in response to a lawsuit that accused the web giant of breaking US laws when it scans emails in order to target advertising to users. The plaintiffs argue that by automatically scanning their emails, Google has engaged in illegal interception.
Google, which has more than 425 million Gmail users worldwide, said in its submission: “Just as a sender of a letter to a business colleague cannot be surprised that the recipient’s assistant opens the letter, people who use web-based email today cannot be surprised if their communications are processed by the recipient’s provider in the course of delivery.”
One US pressure group, Consumer Watchdog, described Google’s statement as a “stunning admission”. Spokesman John Simpson added: “Sending an email is like giving a letter to the Post Office. I expect the Post Office to deliver the letter based on the address written on the envelope. I don’t expect the mail carrier to open my letter and read it. When I send an email, I expect it to be delivered to the intended recipient with a Gmail account based on the email address; why would I expect its content will be intercepted by Google and read?”
Google is no stranger to privacy concerns. Last month it was given 80 days to change its privacy policy or face the prospect of enforcement action – and a potential £500,000 fine – by the UK data watchdog. The Information Commissioner’s Office has written to the company over the policy – which allows private data to be shared across all of its platforms for advertising purposes.