Google admits to using readers’ mail

In a move that would raise the hackles of many users, Google has updated its privacy terms and conditions and is upfront about the changes even as these have led to some controversy.

The common refrain among users is that Google would now be able to read users' emails and scan them for various purposes.

In its terms and conditions the firm said that its users agreed that the information they submitted and shared with its systems could be used by the company and the update, the first since last November, made the changes very clear.

"When you upload, or otherwise submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content," it said.

"The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones. This license continues even if you stop using our Services."

Though this is not new, as it existed even last November, but the addition was widening its use of users' communications even further.

"Our automated systems analyse your content (including emails) to provide you personally relevant product features, such as customised search results, tailored advertising, and spam and malware detection," it added. "This analysis occurs as the content is sent, received, and when it is stored."

The company amended its service terms to clarify all emails stored on Google's servers were analysed, including incoming and outgoing emails, to provide users with "personally relevant product features".

Google had recently been criticised for not being clear enough about its scanning policy.

According to the company's spokesman Matt Kallman, the new amendments were designed to address this criticism.

He added the changes would give people even greater clarity and are based on feedback Google had received over the last few months.

Google had been accused by both Gmail users as also non-Gmail users of violation of the privacy rights of hundreds of millions of email users by breaking privacy and wiretapping laws to compile secret profiles and target advertising.