Yahoo Criticised Over E-mail Scans

A heading consumer organisation has indicted Yahoo! of scanning by personal e-mails for data to use to sell advertising.

The world's largest e-mail provider says signing up to its new service means scanning technology will be used to inhibit spam, and finally to offer adverts applicable to the user.

But Sarah Kidner fom watchdog Which? Computing says "This is a obvious penetration of privacy".

A Yahoo! orator said, a box will show up 'asking for users' consent'.

"To look for keywords and links to serve safeguard you from spam, aspect photos [photos sent from friends that then won't go true to spam] and in time, serve users with interest-based advertising."

Users could then see pop-up ads that are applicable to keywords in e-mails both being sent and received.

"People should have the correct to send messages without Yahoo! snooping by them," mentioned Sarah Kidner editor of Which? Computing.

Yahoo! is amid a number of e-mail service providers that scans content.

Google mail, on its website, says it looks at the content of Gmail messages to filter spam and discover viruses.

"Google moreover uses this scanning technology to broach targeted content ads and other connected information."

The sifting is completed by computers and creates profiles of customers about their likes and dislikes.

However, competitors Microsoft that runs Hotmail in a matter mentioned it 'puts online privacy as a tip priority.'

"Not usually does Windows Live Hotmail not read users' e-mails, but you safeguard your inbox from any person else accessing your e-mail with modernized safety features."

Yahoo! says it began to offer its users the luck to pointer up to its New Mail service in June to give a 'faster, more amicable and safer experience'.

"If you pick not to consent, you can sojourn on the existing mail, nonetheless you will, as Yahoo! and other giveaway webmail service providers do, go on to appurtenance indicate e-mails to safeguard against spam.

The email service says it's easy for users to opt-out of internet-based promotion by on vacation