We've put in a lot on Gmail the past few days, with both a
news analysis piece and earlier
weblog, but fast-moving developments require at least one more quick look.
CNET hears from regulators that the U.K. is prepared to give Gmail the regulatory nod, as long as it's very up front about how content is to be used, and a fine analysis of Gmail's terms and conditions
from The Center for Democracy and Technology goes through legal details and finds little to complain about in terms of its position in current law - even if they'd like them to not use personal informaiton from email for adding value to other content services. In other words, the privacy flap is largely just that from a legal standpoint. But leave it to California in a hot year for U.S. politics,
well funded by Silicon Valley, to
propose legislation to block Gmail based on its insertion of ads into email content. I am all for sensible legislation that protects citizens from malfeasance and abuse, but this is silly knee-jerk reaction to the rising of the content nation that has little to do with real threats to privacy. 'Nuff said.