latedropeddy said...
It just freaks me out that when using Gmail they are reading your email...
They're not 'reading your email' really, there's millions of emails per second going through a computer algorithm to pick out keywords. Then that program chooses ads with those keywords.
Then your email (any email from any system) goes through the 'echelon' system and the yanks scan it for words like 'jihad' 'bomb' etc. But for the most part they don't 'read' it either - unless you use those words.
You can disable those ads that google give you lots of ways, using 'adblock' extension in firefox would be most recommended. I can't stand seeing the internet full of flashy flashy ads ie when I'm not using adblock + flashblock.
If you use work email (
[email protected]) at work - well guess what the IT guys ARE reading your mail. And they know who you are. This is a much bigger privacy issue for those not smart enough to keep work email for work only!