Have you heard the news? Google just launched a new Gmail ‘feature’ that basically allows anyone to email you if they know your Google+ handle.
Given that your Google+ handle nearly pretty much has to be your full name, the potential for abuse here is not insignificant.
Fortunately (for you) there’s a handy way to get around this and you can thank Mr Will Oremus for the tip off. Ready?
1) Here’s the email you need to open. It might be in your “Updates” tab. pic.twitter.com/tt07nYzE3i
— Will Oremus (@WillOremus) January 10, 2014
2) Here’s the part you need to click on. pic.twitter.com/GqSgAjCMrN
— Will Oremus (@WillOremus) January 10, 2014
3) Here’s the actual setting. pic.twitter.com/hq9XzdbrIJ
— Will Oremus (@WillOremus) January 10, 2014
And that’s that. Why oh why Google think this is a good idea, I don’t know. Alas, there it is. Question for you, dear reader, will you be adjusting your settings? Or will you be leaving ‘as is’? Which way and why. Leave a comment and let me know. I’m intrigued.
______
Update: Further clarification from a Google employee makes light of this. I guess the difference between having your contact details on your website and Google making you email-able by anyone on Google+ is that Google didn’t make the decision in the first instance, you did.
Call me trusting but I believe Google’s spam filters are potent enough to keep my inbox clean.
I’m considering this. My email is public on my website so any one can already email me, so there’s no difference there. The risk I see is if it’s going to be used for spam mails, will be keeping an eye out.