Microsoft has accused Google of invading Gmail users’ privacy by scanning their emails to target customers with personalized advertising.
The move is part of Microsoft’s Scroogled campaign, where all the allegations are set out on a dedicated website.
The Scroogled website asks: “Think Google respects your privacy? Think again.
“Google goes through every Gmail that’s sent or received, looking for keywords so they can target Gmail users with paid ads and there’s no way to opt out of this invasion of your privacy.
“Your email is nobody else’s business. But Google makes it their business. Even if you’re not a Gmail user, Google still goes through your personal email sent to Gmail and uses the content to sell ads.
“Outlook.com is different—we don’t go through your email to sell ads.”
According to the Scroogled website:
- 71% of Gmail users are unaware their email’s words are used to display ads
- 87% of Gmail users believe using email content to serve ads is an invasion of their privacy
- 60% of Gmail users, said they would consider or definitely switch from Gmail because of this practice
- 89% of Gmail users believe email is private and
- 88% of Gmail users believe Google should not use an email’s content to deliver ads
In response Google told ABC News that its advertising allows many of its services to be free.
Spokesperson Samantha Smith said: “Advertising keeps Google and many of the websites and services Google offers free of charge.
“We work hard to make sure that ads are safe, unobtrusive and relevant.”
So while Google don’t confirm that they scan the contents of Gmail emails to target advertising, it seems that they don’t deny it either.
Via: ABC