Can free email providers (like Gmail, yahoo, dango, hotmail etc.) have the right to/do they look at my emails?

Can free email providers (like Gmail, yahoo, dango, hotmail etc.) have the right to/do they look at my emails?





I thought they couldn't just look at my stuff, since it may contain confidential information, but someone told me different yesterday.





Just wondering what is the truth???

Can free email providers (like Gmail, yahoo, dango, hotmail etc.) have the right to/do they look at my emails?
Well, the government could prolly do it and use the patriot act as the reason they could. But yahoo, gmail, ect wont do it cause its bad for business.
Reply:when you sign up for an email address, u check a checkbox saying i have read and agree to the privacy policy. well u should really read it before checking that box. all the details u want to know is in that privacy policy.
Reply:Their website, their rules. If you read the terms of service, they all reserve the right to monitor your activity.





As for Yahoo! I suggest that you read their terms of service. You agreed to these terms when you signed up, therefor you agreed to monitoring.





Yahoo, and the other similar services really doesn't give a hoot about your personal correspondence.





What they care about is the possibility of their services being used for illegal activity. If they didn't take reasonable measures, they could also be held accountable for users actions.





If you have problems with your actions being monitored, all you have to do is quit using their services. Nobody is forcing you to use them.





But if you are doing nothing wrong, you should have nothing to worry about.
Reply:not sure if they look at it personally, but gmail does scan your email text to be able to insert relevant advertising. dont know about the others, but you might also try reading their terms of usage. its usually given when someone first signs up.