December 9th, 2006
Google's Gmail: Still far from perfect
Does Google’s new “Mail Fetcher” signify that Gmail just “became perfect,” as Michael Arrington gushes? NO.
Why not? Because nothing has changed in Google’s fundamental “your data is Google’s data” philosophy, which I put forth in “Free Google Gmail: The high price you pay”:
Do you believe the contents of every personal and business email you ever write or send should be recorded and permanently archived on third party servers located in countries throughout the world, to which you have no access?
If you are one of the millions of Gmail users, you have indicated to Google that you most certainly do.
Arrington describes the new Mail Fetcher feature:
Allows users to access non-Gmail email accounts from within the Gmail interface. If you have a Yahoo email account, and a work email account, etc., you can simply access that email from within Gmail, using POP settings.
What does that mean? Google has access to more of your data, to make their data, forever!
ALSO: Gmail and Health URLs: Why Google cares less about your privacy, and why you should care
TAKE THE POLL: Is GMAIL WORTH THE RISK?
