At the same time Google launched its Gmail email service, Google adopted the motto Dont Be Evil. As far as the privacy concerns of those sending or receiving email through the Gmail service, recent allegations may give pause as to strength of Googles pledge.
Keith Dunbar from Texas alleges in an action pending in the federal Northern District of California, that Google violates federal privacy law in using data from private emails sent to and from Gmail addresses, analyzing the content of these emails without valid consent. In other words, Dunbars lawsuit claims that Googles technology opens and mines email content for the purpose of making Google more profitable.
As the attached article shows, the courts are taking Mr. Dunbars allegations seriously. Describing Googles pace of document production in the Dunbar litigation thus far as disappointing, Magistrate Judge Grewal ordered Google to produce closely guarded documents which will likely shed important light on how Google views its role in respecting the privacy of email communications passing through the Gmail system.
The Arnold Law Firm is proudly serving as California counsel for a national consortium of lawyers pursuing this case.