14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has relaunched its Scroogled campaign with a new round of attacks aimed at long-time rival Google, this time pointing to the way the search company violates Gmail users’ privacy.
Redmond is once again pointing to Google’s statement in a class-action lawsuit that accuses the company of illegally reading emails to display ads.
“Just as a sender of a letter to a business colleague cannot be surprised that the recipient’s assistant opens the letter, people who use web-based email today cannot be surprised if their communications are processed by the recipient’s ECS provider in the course of delivery. Indeed, a person has no legitimate expectation of privacy in information he voluntarily turns over to third parties,” Google said in the official papers according to Microsoft.
And that’s not the only way Google infringes your privacy, the tech giant explained, pointing to recent claims that the company’s Street Cars might violate federal wiretapping laws.
“Not only does Google think you shouldn’t expect privacy in email, they think you shouldn’t expect to have privacy when you’re using WiFi in your own home. Just a few days ago, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the interception of personal data transmitted on private Wi-Fi routers by Google Street Cars might violate federal wiretapping laws,” Microsoft noted.
Of course, Microsoft hasn’t missed the occasion to emphasize that it treats users’ privacy carefully. Outlook.com is a much better email service, Microsoft explained, so you should really give it a try if you’re not pleased with Google’s practices.
“At Microsoft, we believe that you SHOULD have a legitimate expectation of privacy. That’s why Outlook.com doesn’t read the contents of your personal communications to target you with ads. We prioritize your privacy,” Microsoft pointed out.