I think it’s possible, but they would have to have legal justification. If they did not, a US citizen would then have to get the State Department involved. There would have to be sufficient reason for that, too.

It really helps being an American. Other countries treat our citizens with more respect that they do citizens of other countries. It’s not pretty, but that is a reality. It’s a useful one if a US citizen or US company gets into trouble.

I just wonder if most folks have thought this through yet. How does that saying go again?

What goes on the internet, stays on the internet.

I wonder if, as a US citizen, could some other governing body, say maybe China, the EU, or even the United Nations as examples, ever legally get at my email records through the court systems? Or is that is just a dumb thing to think?

I think that they do keep things permanently, especially since they create and archive backups, probably daily.

Any subpoena would have to come through the court system in various jurisdictions, which Google has submitted to. That would be the only safeguard, andyes, I thing they would then turn over the information. It’s part of being on the internet. We’re just talking about the way it has been for a while. It’s not limited to Google. All companies and individuals, not just service providers, are subject to subpoena, including emails not under privilege. Even our phone calls are monitored. There’s software searching for certain words and phrases, and then those calls are recorded and listened to by humans without any permission being given.

Perhaps my threshold is too low, but it does not bother me. I know it’s happening, but can’t do much about it. I want to use the internet and phones. I deal with it, even though others see private information.

Does this now mean that Google keeps email and chat data that folks might be assuming is private stashed away permanently? (I mean we know they can store it all. But what about folks who set it not to store chats for example where they take them “off the record”?)

What if they get a subpoena for one of our records by say the government of China? According to their Terms of Use it seems like they may very well turn them over.

It might, if the number of ads increases. If the number does not increase, then not really. I would, however be concerned if the scan is done by humans and not by a bot.

You do, however, agree that Google may monitor, edit or disclose your personal information, including the content of your emails, if required to do so in order to comply with any valid legal process or governmental request (such as a search warrant, subpoena, statute, or court order), or as otherwise provided in these Terms of Use and the Gmail Privacy Policy. Personal information collected by Google may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country in which Google Inc. or its agents maintain facilities. By using Gmail, you consent to any such transfer of information outside of your country

A quick scan through Yahoo’s Terms of Service and I didn’t see anything like that there as far as email goes. I can’t speak to other web based email systems.

Seems to me Google is likely reading the mail.

Does that make a difference to you?