Do you know who has access to your Gmail inbox?

[Anonymous]

Some useful advice for Gmail users, who perhaps aren’t aware that their emails are sometimes being read by third parties:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44699263

Frankly, I’m staggered that Google allows developers to have the ability to read private emails, but the video in the linked article does at least explain how Gmail users can remove such access. 

[Cleoriff]

I wasn't aware of this @Anonymous so thanks for the heads up.

As a side issue, I am wondering if humans are reading my emails today and yesterday!. I have never had a problem with it before, use it for this forum only and suddenly some of them have stopped coming in to my inbox.!

Only joking.  I think this is more of a Lithium issue than anything Gmail related.

[Anonymous]

I suppose if there’s a lesson to be learnt, then it’s the importance of actually reading T&Cs (and any policy detailing how your data is being used), rather than just putting a tick in the box to accept everything. Some apps might be more transparent than others in that regard, but I doubt that too many of us bother to trawl through all of the small print. 

[Glory1]

Yes, I read this on BBC News this morning and immediately checked my GMail account settings as I send and receive loads of emails. And the only people I want reading those I send are the people they're addressed to.

So much for Google being security conscious. Unbelievable.

[pgn]

Always good to keep an eye on what has access to your Gmail... As my work uses Google Mail (business account) we do keep abreast of what apps are "safe" to use in this respect - there is a list of many that request rights that could pose a risk, both to your e-mail and to anything saved in Google Drive.

[jonsie]

Just removed 2 apps from having access to Google Drive so thanks for posting @Anonymous

[gmarkj]

Had been through app permissions on my phone recently but didn't realise there was another way to do it so thanks @Anonymous.
On a (somewhat) side note, Amazon have recently hit me with a review ban, probably linked to my emails to various authors about their books. I have been barred from publishing reviews on anything, and this is a permanent no discussion ban without review. Nice!

[Glory1]

I can't believe Amazon have banned you publishing reviews on anything @gmarkj. Unbelievable!

[gmarkj]

Yep.
I subscribe to the BookBub service, and was notified about a book being on offer that I might be interested in.
I then "bought" the book, and started to read it.
As I went through, I noticed a couple of places where there was missing text but I was not sure if this was a single word, a sentence or more.
I found the author through Amazon, went to his website and sent him an email to advise what I found.
He was very polite, replied apologising for the error and published an updated version with the missing parts included.
When I went to review the book after finishing it, I found I could not submit a review.
I had two chats with agents - the first advised logging out and in again (no change) and the second who passed it to a second level of support.
I then get a message a few days later that I have broken their "community guidelines" by either indicating a relationship with the author, publishing a review in exchange for some compensation (a free book) or I sought out free stuff in exchange for offering to review a product.
Not sure if this is because they had read my email to the author and decided there was a relationship or because in the chat I told them I had been in contact for the exact reason I said earlier.
However I have now been banned from publishing a review on anything, the ban is permanent and my "privileges" will not be reinstated.
Welcome to the age of AI and no privacy...

[Cleoriff]

A bit shocked about that @gmarkj though I didn't realise it would be that involved.

I have only had one review dismissed and that was from Next. I complained about the shoddy work on one of their dresses. It wasn't published as Next felt it didn't fit within their guidelines.  I wrote a scathing letter to head office asking if we were only allowed to make positive feeback on their goods and I was prepared to take this further.  I did get a £30 voucher as a pay off.....