Google Finally Adds App Privacy Labels to Gmail App

[jspence444]

Maybe emailed receipts of purchases?

Yes, this was verified.

 

[luvbug]

But without some level of independent audit, what does this data really mean? If the app is already stealing your personal data and selling it to third parties, why would you trust what they say? They've already shown they're unworthy of the users' trust. They say "for ..., app functionality" - yeah, so what's the app's functionality? We already know that: It's a personal user data gatherer and reseller, oh, and it does email, too. I applaud the sprite of what Apple is trying to do here, but in its current form it really has no validity whatsoever, IMO.

 

[ian87w]

But without some level of independent audit, what does this data really mean? If the app is already stealing your personal data and selling it to third parties, why would you trust what they say? They've already shown they're unworthy of the users' trust. They say "for ..., app functionality" - yeah, so what's the app's functionality? We already know that: It's a personal user data gatherer and reseller, oh, and it does email, too. I applaud the sprite of what Apple is trying to do here, but in its current form it really has no validity whatsoever, IMO.

It might discourage some people from using the app, and opt for the 1st party stock apps instead. Eg. Gmail. Some people would just download it out of habit, but maybe after seeing this, they would just opt for the default stock mail app.

 

[Naraxus]

I don't use the app itself - I use the default iPhone mail app which is connected to my gmail account.

I wonder how Apple's new rule affects people like me and how does Google's data collection policies affect me in such a situation

 

[jk1221]

It might discourage some people from using the app, and opt for the 1st party stock apps instead. Eg. Gmail. Some people would just download it out of habit, but maybe after seeing this, they would just opt for the default stock mail app.

Which won't change anything because if you use the service they are still collecting the data no matter where you access it from..... The irony.

The app itself isn't collecting that data, the service is. It's different than using a 3rd party mail app in that respect since the 3rd party app isn't the service too.

 

[Nicky G]

You've never logged into Gmail and gotten a "was this you at this location signing in?" It could be as simple as that needing location to make sure that is you for that prompt from your IP address. As everyone is saying the labels are vague.

I have never heard of any allegation in all the years of the Gmail app that it was tracking the location of users constantly.

Further, the Gmail app doesn't even have location permissions in its app settings either and not listed in Location Services in iOS settings.

So it may be much ado about nothing. Some common sense must be used here before the pitchforks come out.

I thought those messages were based on IP address, not geo-location data. With everything that is coming out about how much revenue gets generated off of totally extraneous tracking data that gets sold to third parties having nothing to do with your use of the app -- and last time I checked, Google is totally doing this -- I'm not going to presume anything, in fact, I will assume developers are following the overall horrendous practices of the entire industry, more-or-less (Apple being a bit of an exception, actually).

 

[jk1221]

I thought those messages were based on IP address, not geo-location data. With everything that is coming out about how much revenue gets generated off of totally extraneous tracking data that gets sold to third parties having nothing to do with your use of the app -- and last time I checked, Google is totally doing this -- I'm not going to presume anything, in fact, I will assume developers are following the overall horrendous practices of the entire industry, more-or-less (Apple being a bit of an exception, actually).

Where does it show it is using iPhone location data? There are no location permissions in the Gmail app settings or iOS settings under privacy->location.

There is a problem with the app labels already mentioned; what "location?" It's not using iOS location (GPS) by any indication.

I assume they have to check the label even using IP to comply.

 

[Nicky G]

You've never logged into Gmail and gotten a "was this you at this location signing in?" It could be as simple as that needing location to make sure that is you for that prompt from your IP address. As everyone is saying the labels are vague.

I have never heard of any allegation in all the years of the Gmail app that it was tracking the location of users constantly.

Further, the Gmail app doesn't even have location permissions in its app settings either and not listed in Location Services in iOS settings.

So it may be much ado about nothing. Some common sense must be used here before the pitchforks come out.

LOL! You seem to be about a good 5 years behind the times my friend. I'm not sure if you work for big tech or just have your head in the sand, but your attitude seems completely divorced with what is now widely known about the practices of most tech companies, Google being VERY HIGH on that last of those who have been profiteering off our personal data (growing more intimate by the day), in the absence of any meaningful government regulation.

All I know is, when 14.5 comes out, ain't none of these sketchy companies getting any of my ****. And Google is as sketchy as ANY of them. Them and Facebook are basically the kings of online sketch.

 

[Nicky G]

There is a problem with the app labels; what "location?" It's not using iOS location (GPS) by any indication.

Then why does their warning label say bluntly that this data is being collected, and correlated with your identity? HMMMMM seems a little fishy to me.

 

[litmag01]

Still waiting for the Zero Wing reference.

 

[jk1221]

LOL! You seem to be about a good 5 years behind the times my friend. I'm not sure if you work for big tech or just have your head in the sand, but your attitude seems completely divorced with what is now widely known about the practices of most tech companies, Google being VERY HIGH on that last of those who have been profiteering off our personal data (growing more intimate by the day), in the absence of any meaningful government regulation.

All I know is, when 14.5 comes out, ain't none of these sketchy companies getting any of my ****. And Google is as sketchy as ANY of them. Them and Facebook are basically the kings of online sketch.

Then why does their warning label say bluntly that this data is being collected, and correlated with your identity? HMMMMM seems a little fishy to me.

"The Gmail app doesn't even have location permissions in its app settings either and not listed in Location Services in iOS settings." Go check for yourself, it is fact.


The app HAS NO LOCATION GPS ACCESS IN IOS. It's simply not there. No matter how you want to skew it. This only takes a minute amount of logical reasoning here.

From google's sown terms of service

"An IP address (also called Internet address) is assigned to your device by your Internet Service Provider, and is a requirement to use the internet. IP addresses are used to make the connection between your device and the websites and services you use. IP addresses are roughly based on geography. This means that any website you use, including google.com, may get some information about your general area.
Like many other internet services, Google can use information about the general area that you’re in to provide some basic services. Estimating the general area that you’re in means for instance that Google can give you relevant results, and keep your account safe by detecting unusual activity, such as signing in from a new city."

IP rough location is likely what is going on here, nothing new. Tons of apps like your bank use that to verify you are you logging in. The Gmail app has no iOS location/GPS access; this can be verified in about 10 seconds by anyone on their device.


"Buh buh the big bad Google" is not a logical rebuttal to the facts being presented about the location being checked. That is the only point I have addressed. Not what Google is or isn't; I fully get what they do and are.

But I get it, the truth isn't sexy or fitting a certain narrative wanting to be told. Or as Adam Savage famously says: "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"

 

[macduke]

This entire situation cracks me up. Sometimes Apple sucks but Apple really is the best.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Finally, after decades.

 

[iOS Geek]

I don't use the app itself - I use the default iPhone mail app which is connected to my gmail account.

I wonder how Apple's new rule affects people like me and how does Google's data collection policies affect me in such a situation

Good question. I'm in the same boat. Didn't even consider that!

 

[smorrissey]

Absolutely nothing here. No Gmail update.

 

[Canyda]

Is there any category of data they don’t collect?

Blood type.

 

[dabi]

Finally, hopefully they'll also start updating their apps on iOS again. 😄

 

[vjl323]

I am curious - the gmail app does not seem to ask/require location services when you view it in the prefs or the privacy/location section. I do know they log your IP when you use the app so if you suddenly use your gmail account 3000 miles away, they will notify you. But this begs the question - the privacy labels are not directly related to the privacy features on the iPhone then? Things like purchases - since there are no IAPs in the gmail app, what kinds of purchases is gmail tracking? Simply scanning content of e.mails for online order receipts? Not cool, but not the same thing as IAPs.

 

[jntdroid]

"...location, user ID, and usage data as information that's shared with third-party advertisers"

I thought they were no longer using Gmail to feed their ad revenue system?

 

[SuperMatt]

"...location, user ID, and usage data as information that's shared with third-party advertisers"

I thought they were no longer using Gmail to feed their ad revenue system?

Yeah right… they just sell the content to other companies who read it instead.

Google admits it still lets HUNDREDS of companies read your Gmail emails

GOOGLE has admitted it’s still letting companies read your emails – but no longer scans them itself. These companies are able to snoop on the sender and recipient, the time the email was sent…

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[amartinez1660]

As stated in the article, no real surprises but it is different when you see it in writing... scumbags.

Exactly, it did strike me just reading it... even if I knew, even if I use Gmail all the time, etc
Is there any benefit using Gmail through the mail app? The only upside I see is that I don’t get those unread-mail-looking advertisement entries and I can use the Mail’s don’t load remote images.
But for sure the tracking is still happening.

 

[Arsenikdote]

I wonder what they were afraid of since everyone already expects Google to collect and share any and all data they legally can. People will continue to shame them, but they also have world class products that are made possible because of that data collection, so don't see people jumping ship other than those who want blog posts views. This long wait for months only seems to have made things worse and more attention to it all rather than less.

While I agree that I don't see people jumping ship right away, I do think that trend might start to happen. But only time will tell. I will disagree though that the "only people" who shy away from Google services are looking for views. Personally I don't wear a tin foil hat, but I am very aware that I AM the product when it comes to Google's services. So, I choose to spend money for my services (with other companies) and use almost none of the services from Google. I obviously use their search engine but that is it.

Some of these are still too vague. For example: Purchases. Purchases from where? Are they mining email to look for receipts? I suspect the answer is yes, but these labels need more granularity.

Completely agree! I hope it is coming and everything has to start somewhere. So while I really would love more detail I am very happy that we are at least seeing a major entity start to push for even this level of transparency.

Naraxus said:
I don't use the app itself - I use the default iPhone mail app which is connected to my gmail account.

I wonder how Apple's new rule affects people like me and how does Google's data collection policies affect me in such a situation

Good question. I'm in the same boat. Didn't even consider that!

If you have email service through Google than you have agreed to their Terms of Service and the fine print gives them all the same rights to do whatever they want at the server side level as they would on the phone. Obviously location data wouldn't be as accurate and things like that, but as far as reading through your emails, etc... they are doing that on the server side no matter which email client you are using.

 

[InGen]

Fully agree, the labels are pointless as they are too vague. And when you click on Apple's link that includes definitions, it does not clarify much, if anything. Could it also be that it tracks you outside of the app to see what purchases you make on other apps? through safari? on the app store? Without answers to these questions the label is worthless.

This is ideal, and I think now that Apple has developers sharing these labels they’re in a good position to tighten their grip over time by demanding more and more details, once people become a accustomed to the label.

I also think Apple should display ALL the possible labels and App could carry and only highlight the ones applicable so we can also get an ideal of what is NOT being sssociated to us but could have been.

I would really like to know what kind of metadata WhatsApp collects associated with me or my phone number. They rant on about how “we can’t read anyone’s conversations” but never answer exactly what they can know about me.

Are they connecting my number with every number I’ve ever contacted, creating a web of sorts on each number and how it connects to others. Are they logging time, duration of calls, number of messages and times sent and received, building essentially a full history (without the conversational content) of my social communications. Do they know how many characters I am writing or if I use an emoji or is all conversation types obfuscated and undeterminable by WhatsApp from their end?

so many questions, so little clear answers about what EXACTLY they are collecting.

 

[Naraxus]

If you have email service through Google than you have agreed to their Terms of Service and the fine print gives them all the same rights to do whatever they want at the server side level as they would on the phone. Obviously location data wouldn't be as accurate and things like that, but as far as reading through your emails, etc... they are doing that on the server side no matter which email client you are using.

I kind of figured that might be the case but wasn't sure. Thnx for the clarification

 

[ian87w]

Which won't change anything because if you use the service they are still collecting the data no matter where you access it from..... The irony.

The app itself isn't collecting that data, the service is. It's different than using a 3rd party mail app in that respect since the 3rd party app isn't the service too.

Definitely. It’s unfortunate, but GMail is so prevalent that it has become de facto email for some. In my country, even government institutions are recommending people to use Gmail. Our telco can only send automatic billing statement to Gmail addresses. Ridiculous.