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What happens when I ask Google to go through everyone's gmail inbox and remove my information and all emails I've sent?

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
rando444 9y ago
Granted I've only sat in on a few GDPR meetings, but I don't think it works like that. In your example you were the one that sent your information to some other 3rd party, so you would be the one responsible for that data transfer and its consequences.
- idbehold 9y ago
  Is that not exactly what OP is asking for, but for HackerNews instead of Gmail? Gmail is hosting the data I sent. Not to mention that I sent the emails to their servers, not some third-party.
  - rando444 9y ago
    While laws like this allow for large grey areas where all of this is up for debate, the focus of the GDPR is largely on two things. (1) Companies that collect data and "process" it. If you're hosting it with reason, it's no big deal. If you're actively doing something with it, then you can run afoul of the law. (2) Companies that share their information with third parties. It puts a much larger onus on companies that have your data to use it appropriately and only for intended purposes. If you read through the wording of the law, it's perfectly possible to have an e-mail service that complies with everything. I think the crux of this particular argument though is whether or not you "own" the emails you sent. I think at the most if you pushed this issue to the max you could get a company to scramble your email address so that it doesn't identify you anymore... but all of this is more a thought exercise about minute details. The true intent of the law is the major points above.
cedsav 9y ago
Interesting question. Google might argue you should direct your request to those individuals you emailed to. Google storing the emails doesn't necessarily mean that they're responsible for processing your deletion request under the GDPR (or maybe it does, I'm just speculating).
- idbehold 9y ago
  Google still makes available to its Gmail users the previous emails I've sent to them.
  - cedsav 9y ago
    Yes, but the GDPR makes a distinction between data controllers and data processors. The data controller is obligated to process your request, but Google could argue they're just the data processor, and redirect you to the users (again still speculating... not a lawyer)

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

Granted I've only sat in on a few GDPR meetings, but I don't think it works like that. In your example you were the one that sent your information to some other 3rd party, so you would be the one responsible for that data transfer and its consequences.

idbehold 9y ago
Is that not exactly what OP is asking for, but for HackerNews instead of Gmail? Gmail is hosting the data I sent. Not to mention that I sent the emails to their servers, not some third-party.
- rando444 9y ago
  While laws like this allow for large grey areas where all of this is up for debate, the focus of the GDPR is largely on two things. (1) Companies that collect data and "process" it. If you're hosting it with reason, it's no big deal. If you're actively doing something with it, then you can run afoul of the law. (2) Companies that share their information with third parties. It puts a much larger onus on companies that have your data to use it appropriately and only for intended purposes. If you read through the wording of the law, it's perfectly possible to have an e-mail service that complies with everything. I think the crux of this particular argument though is whether or not you "own" the emails you sent. I think at the most if you pushed this issue to the max you could get a company to scramble your email address so that it doesn't identify you anymore... but all of this is more a thought exercise about minute details. The true intent of the law is the major points above.

cedsav 9y ago

Interesting question. Google might argue you should direct your request to those individuals you emailed to. Google storing the emails doesn't necessarily mean that they're responsible for processing your deletion request under the GDPR (or maybe it does, I'm just speculating).

idbehold 9y ago
Google still makes available to its Gmail users the previous emails I've sent to them.
- cedsav 9y ago
  Yes, but the GDPR makes a distinction between data controllers and data processors. The data controller is obligated to process your request, but Google could argue they're just the data processor, and redirect you to the users (again still speculating... not a lawyer)