Many people become much more cautious when it comes to the private data, however, Google has confirmed that private emails sent and received by Gmail users can sometimes be read by third-party app developers, not just machines.
One company told the Wall Street Journal that the practice was “common” and a “dirty secret”.
Google indicated that the practice was not against its policies.
One security expert said it was “surprising” that Google allowed it.
To which level of data can be accessed and how aware people are when they are agreeing to the terms
?
According to Google’s Privacy Policy
and the Terms of Service, accessible data will include the followings:
1. Apps, Browsers & Devices used by the users to access Google services, including unique identifiers, browser type and settings, device type and settings, operating system, mobile network information including carrier name and phone number, and application version number; IP address, crash reports, system activity and the date, time and referrer URL of any request;
2. Activities of the users, including without limitation: searched terms, watched videos, views and interactions with content and ads, voice and audio information when using audio features, purchase activity, people with whom the users communicate or share content, activity on third-party sites and apps that use Google’s service, chrome browsing history, telephony log information like phone number, calling-party number, receiving party number, forwarding numbers, time and date of calls and messages, duration of calls, routing information, and types of calls;
3. location information of users, including without limitation: GPS, IP address, sensor data of user’s device.
Before agreeing to the terms, users are noticed by Google that all aforesaid information may be collected and used by Google, and Google leaves the right of choice to the users regarding what kind of information may be collected by Google and how Google may use the collected information.