New Gmail Feature Could Exploit Personal Data Of Users
Though technology might be making all its advances, privacy is being of concern. Technology needs data to be run on, but concerns have risen as to whose data is technology using, and how much? Out of all the companies that have been brought under the scanner, Gmail also is being questioned, and the answers might shock you.
Google might be busy with redesigning the app, but in the meantime, the US Homeland Security has also been busy, and they claim that Gmail can very well expose the personal data of its users. Gmail has recently proposed a new feature called the new confidentiality mode, and that feature has a lot of loopholes.
Phishing Alert!
According to a report released by Homeland Security, the chances of phishing in this new feature is very high. This new option requires users to click on a particular link to access confidential emails, and though that might seem like a good option to keep confidential things confidential, the Department has raised concern that this option could be misused by malicious people who could spam others by sending spam or misleading links.
The department has taken action and informed Google about their concern, and have also offered assistance to help work with them to create a better and safer email experience. Google has also responded back and has said that privacy always is a priority and that privacy would never be compromised for better features.
Google has assured that machine learning algorithms would be used to detect if links in such emails contain attempts to spam others. That way, users can be assured that the emails that they received have been scanned by Google’s machine learning algorithm.
Privacy First
The company has issued a statement saying that users can continue to use the new confidentiality mode, but have also cautioned that as always users must be careful on what links do they receive and must think twice before clicking on a particular link. The company has also given the option to users that they would receive confidential emails only and only if this feature is enabled.
Google is a company that has always given priority to the privacy of its users, and the way its services have been designed to prove that. Google has assured that the features would be updated to manage privacy, but yet manage to give the best experience to its users.
Google is expected to make some changes to its privacy policy too, and we have to wait and see what kind of changes would be made.
