Google Spam/Virus Blocker Stirs Controversy

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google’s recent addition of revamped anti-virus protection on its popular web-based email service, Gmail, has been drawing complaints from users that its spam rules are too strict, but so far the company doesn’t plan on doing anything about it.

Gmail discussion groups have expressed both criticism and outright confusion over the new virus-scanning utility.

For starters, the service cannot be shut off, leaving users at the whim of the company’s filtering rules. The service also continues to block all executable file attachments it receives, something it has done since its launch in April 2004.

Finally, in a move even stalwart Gmail devotees have called bizarre, Google isn’t releasing which vendor is being used to provide the new service.

Of course, unless a user is in the anti-virus field, the option to turn anti-virus protection off and knowingly receive infected files isn’t likely to cause much commotion outside a limited number of industry professionals.

The bigger issue for many, however, is that the service continues to block all executable files, which prevents Gmail users from receiving emailed copies of applications, something many on the discussion threads purport to do.

Carl Stevenson, for example, an attorney living in Tampa Bay, Fla., uses Gmail as his primary account. According to a Gmail discussion thread he set up on Rage3D.com, the Gmail service prevents him from easily sharing applications between his multiple computers.

“I often need to email myself an application from my desktop to my laptop for use while traveling,” Stevenson wrote. “I can’t do that using Gmail, which is really inconvenient, because Gmail is really the only web-based service that provides the kind of storage capacity you need to share such large files.”

Gmail’s free service currently offers enough capacity for up to eight billion bits of information, the equivalent of 500,000 pages of email.

The biggest issue on the threads, though, is Google’s silence over the origin of its new scanning technology. For users familiar with the multiple anti-virus vendors out there, the lack of information makes it all the more difficult to assess the service’s merits.

”How do I know if this is a good thing or not?” Thomas Halley, a systems software engineer from Atlanta, wrote on GameDev.net. “I can’t fully speak to the strengths and weaknesses of the service if I don’t know which vendor they are using. It’s really absurd.”

Despite the complaints, Google has made no move to open up the channels of communication about the new service. According to an official statement released Monday, the company has given “thoughtful consideration to user feedback,” but has “no plans” to change the existing features.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Show More