Google just made it really easy for strangers to email you

[onehandle]

Last edited Fri Jan 10, 2014, 10:35 AM - Edit history (3)

Source: The Verge

You no longer need someone's email address to send them an email. At least, that will soon be the case if you want to email another Google+ user. A new Gmail "feature" will let you simply type in anyone's name into Gmail's "to" field and send them an email. Google announced the new Google+ integration on its Gmail blog today, but company representatives have clarified to The Verge that — by default — anyone on its social network will be able to send messages to your Gmail inbox.



Once the service goes live over the next few days, a new setting will appear in Gmail called "Email via Google+." If you don't want everyone on Google+ to be able to send you an email, you'll have to opt out by selecting "no one" or choosing another option to limit the feature to people in certain circles. It's important to note that even if you do let people send you emails through their Google+ connection, your actual email address won't be revealed unless you choose to respond to the email. Google also says that emails from Google+ users outside of your circles will not hit your "primary" inbox — they'll be placed in the new "social" tab it introduced earlier this year. The change continues the company's push to integrate Google+ with the rest of its popular online services, but it's concerning as it turns a private space — your inbox — into a social one.

The new feature — and the guaranteed controversy to follow — is reminiscent of the company's attitude towards its failed Buzz social network. The service was opt-out only and led to backlash and ultimately a class-action lawsuit. Notably, the feature itself would be helpful if it was opt in; it'd provide an easy way to allow those you've added to your circles to contact you even if you haven't yet exchanged email addresses. By making this an opt-out feature, it seems that Google wants to challenge Facebook's dominance in communication: the preeminent social network has effectively made email addresses less important.

Read more: http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/9/5292310/gmail-now-lets-you-send-emails-to-other-google-users

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How To Disable Google's New Default Spamming Of Your Email

Google changed your Google+/Gmail profile to make it easier for their spammer clients and stalkers to send you uninvited Email.

This has been changed against your will, because no Google service is truly free.

Here is how to defend yourself:

1. Open Gmail.
2. Click the gear in the top right.
3. Select Settings.
4. Scroll down to the Email via Google+ section (stay in the "General" tab).
5. Click the drop-down menu and choose one of these four: Anyone on Google+, Extended circles, Circles or No one.
6. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

Unless your social universe lives in Google+ (almost nobody's does) it is important to choose 'No one' or else spammers/stalkers will find a way to reach you.

[groundloop]

1. Another reason to stay away from Google+

[greyl]

2. They also made it really easy to prevent strangers from emailing you.

(as far as this new G+ feature is concerned)

It always has been really easy for people to send unsolicited email to strangers. Article is a bit sensationalistic.

[frylock]

4. yeah well evidently apple fanboys are unaware of that

[onehandle]

5. You have to opt-out. That's the problem.

They are counting on you not opting out, to make their mass spam customers very happy.

[greyl]

6. Is that not really easy?

I mean c'mon, G+ is a damn social network. Headline strikes fear into everyone, but the facts only apply to G+ users.

But I don't want to defend Google; I want to attack the shitty misleading headline.

[TM99]

13. Simple question for you.

Do you use Facebook? Yes or No.

[frylock]

3. wow. big fucking deal..

check this. ANYONE can get your mailing address from your HOME and mail you a letter. you scared of that?

[4now]

16. Agreed

Much ado about nothing.

[MannyGoldstein]

7. Oy.

[onehandle]

8. Google 2014 = Microsoft 1998.

Nobody wants that shit.

[Maynar]

17. This girl is great!

Marvellous singing voice.

[jsr]

18. Good one!

[olddad56]

20. +1

[ronnie624]

21. Hilarious!

She's excellent.

[George II]

9. NO they didn't, just f-ing OPT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!

[onehandle]

11. Why make you have to opt out?

Because they have contracts with spammers that demand results.

[George II]

12. Sheesh, big f-ing deal. Do you automatically get on the "no call" list? You have to sign up!

[Art_from_Ark]

23. Even if you get on the "no-call" list

it is no guarantee that you won't be bothered by spam calls.

[on point]

10. Horrible idea. Opt in must be default. If service is free, you are the product

[TM99]

14. Do you use Facebook?

[on point]

26. Nope! Their commitment to privacy of their customers is non existent. Scoundrels.

[TM99]

27. I definitely agree.

They are, however, much worse than Google.

This article is sensationalized. I am not 'defending' them per se.

Google has informed users this is coming. Facebook does not. They give you an easy way to opt out. Facebook rarely does. Users must know your name in order to do this. If they are not in your Circle, it goes to your Social tab and not your Inbox. If you do not reply to the email, then that User can not use Gmail again to message you.

I asked you and several others about Facebook usage because what Google has set up is really not all that different in form but the function of it will allow an easy opt out. I suspect many here bemoaning this are Apple supporters who hate anything Google and use Facebook which would make them a bit of hypocrite.

Finally as opposed to the sensationalized article, here is the actual announcement from Google explaining it, how to use it, and how to opt out easily.

http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/reach-people-you-know-more-easily.html

[jsr]

15. That's fucking creepy.

[davidpdx]

19. That's good to know

I sure as hell get enough emails from political causes to the point I delete stuff without opening it a lot. Having other's email me is a pain in the ass. I'll be opting out.

[ZombieHorde]

22. Wait until people find out about phone books.

Those things have your name, address, and phone number. People are going to freak the fuck out!

[Art_from_Ark]

24. Most phone books these days are just whisps of what they used to be

Basically the only people who are listed anymore are those who have landlines and want to be listed.

[orleans]

25. gmail? google social circles? it's all beyond me.

i use it to look stuff up.

[George II]

29. You said this in your post, basically what Google says:

"Google also says that emails from Google+ users outside of your circles will not hit your "primary" inbox — they'll be placed in the new "social" tab it introduced earlier this year."

So, your premise is incorrect, or exaggerated - strangers can NOT simply send me emails by putting my name in the "to" field!

[onehandle]

30. No spammer/stalker could ever figure their way around that.

And if you believe that, I have some v l a g ra / cl al is to sell you.

It's not my 'premise.' This story is all over the Internet, including the MSM.

And what if you don't want spam email or your crazy ex-boyfriend in your social inbox?


Keep spinning your tires...

[George II]

31. I get about a dozen spam emails a day in my @cox.net email inbox, no big deal.

[onehandle]

32. Almost no spam email makes it into my iCloud inbox. Maybe one a month.

No wonder you aren't concerned.

I got one the other day telling me that my 'Some of Picasa photos were corrupted and I needed to sign in and fix them.'

Never been on Picasa. Which, by the way, is a Google 'free' service.

[George II]

33. I should have said the dozen get sent to my @cox.net account, wind up in my spam folder

[joshcryer]

35. If you can't figure out my gmail account...

...you got issues.