Google trumpets extra encryption for Gmail, but stays mum on other apps

Google recently trumpeted that it now encrypts Gmail messages while shuffling them among its data centers, an extra security layer aimed at thwarting government and criminal snoops, but didnt say if it applies this protection to its other applications.

Asked for clarification, the company declined to comment. We dont have more details to share beyond the Gmail news, but were always working in strengthening and encrypting across more services and links, a spokeswoman said via email.

Googles reluctance to clarify the scope of its internal encryption is baffling and does a disservice to enterprise customers who rely on the Apps suite for workplace communication, cloud storage and collaboration, according to analysts.

When confronted with the evidenceof a compromise, and asked for an explanation as to how it happened and what they are doing about it, Google is dissembling. This is no basis for trust, said Jay Heiser, a Gartner analyst.

Edward Snowden

At issue are reports from last year, based on leaks from former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden, that the agency snooped on users of online services in part by intercepting data Internet companies transmitted unencrypted in plain text among their own servers and data centers.

Back in September, Google officials told The Washington Post that the company was accelerating efforts to encrypt communications between its data centers as a result of these reports.

Its an arms race, Eric Grosse, vice president for security engineering at Google, said at the time.

About two weeks ago, Google announced it had turned on this internal encryption for Gmail, but glaringly neglected to address if and when this will be done for its other services and applications.

Every single email message you send or receive100 percent of themis encrypted while moving internally. This ensures that your messages are safe not only when they move between you and Gmails servers, but also as they move between Googles data centerssomething we made a top priority after last summers revelations, the Google post reads.

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Google trumpets extra encryption for Gmail, but stays mum on other apps