gmail Archive

About 5 years ago, I wrote a paper about the amounts of data credit centers have about each one of us. Last week there was some talk about Google and their new privacy policies around search data. Coming back from SXSW, I started to think about how much information Google actually has on each of us that use their services and have a Google account. Let's take a look, shall we? The assumptions here are that you have a Google account and that they log everything. Twitter-format.

• If you use Adwords, they know your marketing plan and they know your purchasing patterns.
• If you use Adsense, they know which of your sites makes money (though we know nothing sadly), they know how to target which ads to your site, they know how much to payout and how much to keep.
• If you use Alerts, they know what topics are important to you.
• If you use Analytics, they know which sites you control and/or monitor, how those sites are doing and every trend possible.
• If you use Blogger, they know what you write about. Every word, every phrase, every out and in link.
• If you use Calendar, they know where you have been, are, and plan to be.
• If you use Catalog search/Froogle, they know what items are of interest to you and which items you actually purchase.
• If you use Checkout, they know all of your personal information: name, address, phone, credit card, ccid.
• If you use Desktop, they know what you have on your PC.
• If you use Docs and Spreadsheets, they know that you are writing a paper on 13th century france, and your checking account is $30 overdrawn.
• If you use Earth, they know where on the planet you desire to research.
• If you use Finance, they know what stocks (and other instruments) you own, which you monitor, and which trends you follow.
• If you use Gmail, they know everything. Yep, everything.
• If you use Groups, they know you have a fetish for rare steaks and love art from Paris.
• If you use Image search, they know that you like Britney Spears and you have a craving for chocolate babaka and cat photos.
• If you use Local search, they know where you are now, and what you are interested in.
• If you use Maps, they know where you might be, where you might be going, where you have been.
• If you use Search (any Google search), Google knows every search you have ever made.
• If you use Talk, they know who your buddies are.
• If you use Toolbar, they know every web site you visit.
• If you use Translate, they know that you are learning German.
• If you use Video, the same applies as for YouTube.
• If you use YouTube, they know every video you have watched, what genres you like, which naughty videos you have watched, which ones you commented/favorited on, and the videos you have uploaded.

I am sure I missed some of the services Google offers. I don't share this information with you to scare you, just to make you think about how much information and how much of the Internet moves with Google. Think about the combinations from the information above that can be generated. Seriously, take a second and think about them. Is Google evil? No. Could I see Google having to split apart into multiple companies at some point in the next few years? Yes. Do you mind Google housing all of this data about you in return for free apps?

My buddy Molly has a new screencast up on Demogirl. It's a basic training lesson for how to properly use Gmail.

From Molly, "Gmail is crazy. It’s your email, but it’s your email with a bachelor’s degree, a masters, and a PhD. Meaning, there’s a lot goin’ on. I decided to create a screencast covering some of Gmail’s features, although it would take twenty 9 minute screencasts to include them all, to give those of you who simply use it to send and receive emails a glimpse of what else it has to offer."

Check out the screencast of the Gmail basic training. I learned a few things from it and I am guessing you will too.

Mike just posted about reports of mass Gmail account deletions. Yep, I would be pissed as f*** if my Gmail account was deleted. Actually I don't really use Gmail except for some data dumps and they are still there as of 10 minutes ago. Phew!

So why am I putting this post into the WTF Dept? Easy. Gmail has a note on their logo… did you happen to notice it when you use the app? Here let me show you (magnified 4x):

That's right people, it is a BETA. What does BETA mean? It means simply that shit won't always work. That its a work in progress.

I agree with GMAilFan in the TechCrunch comments that you should be able to export your mail from Gmail onto your local harddrive. I can see Google implementing this asap! In any event, you should export your mail via the POP mail method so in case Gmail deletes your account, you will have a backup. Get those Zip drives and Bernoulli drives out of the closet!

FYI, Here are the service terms from Gmail on the usage of their service:

Indemnification. You agree to hold harmless and indemnify Google, and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, agents, and employees from and against any third party claim arising from or in any way related to your use of the Service, including any liability or expense arising from all claims, losses, damages (actual and consequential), suits, judgments, litigation costs and attorneys' fees, of every kind and nature. In such a case, Google will provide you with written notice of such claim, suit or action.