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20Mar14

Google encrypts Gmail between data centers to keep the NSA out of your inbox

Google just announced that as of today, Gmail is more secure than ever before. And the company isn't hiding the fact that it's actively trying to stop the government from spying on your email activity. Google says that Gmail will now use a secure HTTPS connection whenever you check or send email, regardless of where you're accessing Gmail from -- be it your home network or public Wi-Fi -- or what device you're using. Google made HTTPS encryption the default for its users back in 2010, but it's continually making improvements wherever possible to keep out prying eyes.

As an added barrier between you and the NSA, Google is making another change: every single email message Gmail users send or receive will now be encrypted as it moves internally between the company's data centers. That would seem to defeat a popular strategy of the NSA, which involves the agency intercepting email messages as they move between data centers and servers. Google says this change became "a top priority after last summer's revelations" from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

"Today's change means that no one can listen in on your messages as they go back and forth between you and Gmail's servers -- no matter if you're using public WiFi or logging in from your computer, phone or tablet," said Nicolas Lidzborski, who leads Gmail's security engineering. "As you go about your day reading, writing, and checking messages, there are tons of security measures running behind the scenes to keep your email safe, secure, and there whenever you need it."

[Source: By Chris Welch, The Verge, Us, 20Mar14]
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Privacy and counterintelligence
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