[Mr. Jeeves]

I'm not worried about Google any more. Essentially, the situation hasn't changed in seventy years - if you begin to acquire personal power or influence within your sphere to a level that attracts their notice, just like the mafia a government will make sure you are compromisable. They'll get something on you some way, whether Google is involved or not.

If your power and influence remains below their threshold of notice, they will collect data but will never look at it. You just aren't important enough.

Go ahead and use Google and GMail - they are convenient tools that are far more useful to you than harmful. Unless you are planning to run for the Senate - then quit everything immediately. :)

[Hot Tabasco]

they will collect data but will never look at it. You just aren't important enough.

Oh great, hearing that and finding out Santa isn't real has made for a really bad year........

[cgbg]

Excellent post.

Post Snowden everyone needs to understand that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy on the Internet—anywhere—ever—regardless of what software or hardware you are using.

Ditto for cell phones.

Congress can pass all the laws they want and organized criminals (governments) and disorganized criminals will get your data if they want it.

Note to NSA: My dog posted this. Her name is Linda. Merry Christmas.