Comments on: Judge Shuts Down Innocent User’s Gmail Account Over a Bank’s Screw-up!

By: Why Google Needs to Update Its User Protection Policies | Reaction Radio

Why Google Needs to Update Its User Protection Policies | Reaction Radio — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:18:55 +0000

[...] having a panic attack and asking a judge to shut down a Gmail user’s account, Rocky Mountain Bank and Google have worked together on a resolution. The only problem is, Google [...]

By: Andy Beal

Andy Beal — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:49:23 +0000

It would be helpful if you could point us to something that confirms that, because I didn’t find any comment from Google.

By: Elliott Lewis

Elliott Lewis — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:59:16 +0000

You got your facts wrong. Google is attempting to contact the user and said they will not comply with the court order until the user has the opportunity to agree or file motion to prevent the order.

It’s important that you fact check before you write. Your misrepresentation of the facts will cause people to assume the wrong conclusion about Google.

By: Jorn

Jorn — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:15:24 +0000

I’m terrified by this. Lets imagine this happened offline- the bank snailmailed a CD containing said data (or even, eugh, hardcopy) to the wrong address. They realize their mistake, attempt to contact the accidental recipient, and when they don’t hear back (though the linked article didn’t reveal the timeframe between accidental sending and requesting court order) the court orders the innocent person’s house burnt down in order to safeguard the bank’s data.

That’s not what our justice system is for.

And yes, I do equate this to burning down a person’s house because, not only was google forced to disclose this person’s private information, they were forced to shut down the account, which means the holder of the account can no longer use it for any of the legitimate purposes for which it was created. All of the people who used that address to contact him can no longer do so. If he’s looking for work and that address is on his resume, someone trying to contact him to offer him a job will be unable to do so.

Think about it. This could easily happen to you.

How often do you accidentally get a neighbors mail? or someone else entirely? (For myself, it’s several times a week- I live at 6 roadname, apt 12, and I’m constantly getting mail thats meant for a business at 612 roadname) Do you think it’s right to have police breaking down your door because the mailman put a letter in the wrong mailbox?

But, in this specific case, gmail is a free service, and Google has the right to discontinue that service for any reason, and if your email is really important to you, you’re going to have to pay to host your own mail. My hosting provider wouldn’t just turn over my information or disable my account, but then, it’s a paid service, not a free one.

By: Andy Beal

Andy Beal — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:39:28 +0000

You’re assuming that the Gmail user refused to respond. How do we know he/she ever actually saw any of the emails? How many times do legitimate emails end up in your spam folder?

By: Andy Beal

Andy Beal — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:38:24 +0000

I’m sorry but I disagree. That’s a slippery slope to go down. Violate one person’s rights for the sake of others? What’s next, euthanize someone with the H1N1 virus, to prevent it spreading? Extreme, but that’s where we could end up.

By: Michael Martinez

Michael Martinez — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:20:03 +0000

The Gmail user’s refusal to respond to the bank’s inquiry could have easily prevented all this weeping and gnashing of teeth.

So let’s say that a bank finally came out on the right side of stupid and yet another Gmail user came out on the wrong side of stupid and leave it at that.

Okay? Okay.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:32:55 +0000

Would you think this was so crazy if your information including your social security number and loan information was one of the 1300 included in the email. The court was protecting the identities of the 1300 included in the email. I agree with the judge

By: Nate @ Debt-free Scholar

Nate @ Debt-free Scholar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:27:03 +0000

I think I will check my spam folder more often!
.-= Nate @ Debt-free Scholar´s last blog ..5 Reasons College Students Need To Sleep More =-.

By: Glenn Gillen

Glenn Gillen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:21:37 +0000

I hope this case doesn’t serve as precedent for future cases, but my limited understanding and experience leads me to believe it probably will

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:52:55 +0000

It’s scary: the power of Google combined with a legal system that just doesn’t understand technology.

-Jess