There is still a difference between storing the emails unencrypted and using them to profile users for ad targeting. You can disable interest-based ads: https

There is still a difference between storing the emails unencrypted and using them to profile users for ad targeting. You can disable interest-based ads: https://www.google.com/settings/u/0/ads https://www.google.com/settings/u/0/ads Also, if you have a paid Google Apps account, you can disable ads in Google apps. Personally, I'd like to see targeted ads more than 'random' ads. Of course, I don't like to be profiled. So, I use Ghostery, an ad blocker, and paid e-mail.