Google responds to Gmail criticism
14 April 2004
Following widespread opposition to its new free email service, Google has announced that it is "batting about" possible changes to Gmail.
The new web-based service is currently trialling with a select group of 1,000 Google users. Unveiled last month, Gmail offers up to 1GB of free storage, far more than other free email services such as Yahoo and Hotmail.
However, human rights groups are angry at Google's plans to scan messages for targeted advertising keywords and to permanently store users' emails.
Google spokesman David Krane said the company planned to listen closely to the responses of test users and other interested parties during the next three to six months and added that Google may make changes based on the recommendations it receives.
"We are in the very earliest phases of testing, and we are actively soliciting and analysing feedback from users and third parties, including privacy groups," Mr Krane said. "We're definitely batting about a number of options for changes to the service, but we have not yet made any specific commitments or announcements about changes to come to Gmail."
On Monday, Californian Senator Liz Figueroa announced that she was drafting legislation to prevent Google or any other company examining the content of email for advertising purposes, while British group Privacy International referred Gmail to the UK's information commissioner last week.
Mr Krane said Google was surprised at the interest in Gmail given its limited release and he also highlighted some privacy enhancements of Gmail over other email services. For example, the service does not automatically display images in e-mail, potentially reducing the threat of tracking technology.
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