Google Admits There Is No Reasonable Expectation Of Privacy In Use Of Gmail

A class proceeding against Google Inc is underway in California, in which it is alleged that Google violates federal wiretap and state privacy laws when it deploys an automated process to analyse a Gmail user's e-mail messages and send targeted advertising based on the content of the user's communications. Google has argued that its processes are fully disclosed and expressly or implicitly consented to by consumers, as well as being protected from liability under wiretap legislation under specific exemptions for activities conducted in the ordinary course of business: In Re Google Inc Gmail Litigation (ND Cal, case no 5:13md-02430-LHK, hearing date 5 September 2013).

That may well turn out to be true, but what has attracted attention is Google's admission in its motion to dismiss the class complaint that there is 'no legitimate expctation of privacy in information [a party] voluntarily turns over to third parties', including an e-mail provider like Google. In