Invading our Privacy? Google allows Google+ Connections to E-mail You

This is my view on the recent announcement that Google will allow their Google+ users to email anyone using their Google+ name. I’m sure some people will agree with my view and others will not, but who cares, you are entitled to your own opinion.

Traditionally, when you want to email someone you needed to get their email address. Google announced a few changes this week on their blog. Gmail will now suggest your Google+ contacts as recipients even though you don’t know their addresses. Lets stop and think, who really needs this? My friends have my email address and the people that don’t have it, really don’t need it.

google

By default for most people, Google has the “Email via Google+” option, set to “Anyone on Google+” can email you.  I am going to set that option to “only my Circles” can email me, without my address. I would recommend you to do the same. Most people I know can’t keep up with their email inbox already. Why would you want more random email? Don’t you get enough social updates about people you don’t care about already? 

Here is how you change the setting of who can send you email via your Google+ account. Drop down the little gear icon in your Gmail account and click Settings. Click the General tab and you will see half-way down the page, the option, Email via Google+. Click the drop down menu and you can choose between Anyone on Google+, Extended Circles, Circles, or No one. Choose the best option for you and save your changes.

This isn’t the worst thing to happen, but why does Google automatically set the option to “Anyone on Google+” can email me. You think they would respect our privacy, but then again Google is Google, and they can do anything.

This is strictly my opinion, by techspeeder.

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