Google Processes Gmail

Last Review: August 14, 2010
Product(s): Google Gmail

Many people have a free Gmail account for personal e-mail. However, most individuals and organizations are shocked to learn that Google processes Gmail for search and advertising purposes:

• Google records information such as account activity (including storage usage, number of log-ins), data displayed or clicked on (including UI elements, ads, links); and other log information (including browser type, IP-address, date and time of access, cookie ID, and referrer URL).

• Google maintains and processes your Gmail account and its contents to provide the Gmail service to you and to improve our services. The Gmail service includes relevant advertising and related links based on the IP address, content of messages and other information related to your use of Gmail.

• Google's computers process the information in your messages for various purposes, including formatting and displaying the information to you, delivering advertisements and related links, preventing unsolicited bulk email (spam), backing up your messages, and other purposes relating to offering you Gmail.

See the the Gmail Privacy Notice for more information.