So you use Free e-mail, but at what cost?

Remember the days of having to pay for your email address? I think it was AOL that put email on the map for most of us as it was included with their dial-up internet service. That quickly changed with Hotmail - which most likely was the first stand alone free email service. Free email then became not just a cool new service, but almost a right; kind of like getting a social security number after being born. Honestly, I don't think I know anyone who doesn't have an email address.

Currently, there are a multitude of free hosted email service providers. As my dad used to say, "There is no free lunch." Everything has a cost.  So what's the cost of 'free' email? Consider these terms and conditions of free-mail:

• "Google’s privacy policies explain how we treat your personal data and protect your privacy when you use our Services. By using our Services, you agree that Google can use such data in accordance with our privacy policies.When you upload, submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content."
• "You understand that through your use of the Yahoo Services you consent to the collection and use (as set forth in the applicable privacy policy) of this information, including the transfer of this information to the United States and/or other countries for storage, processing and use by Yahoo and its affiliates."
• https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/PrivacyStatement (Too long to copy, but an eye-opener nonetheless)

These free-mail services have access to the content of your messages and have at best a limited global privacy policy. If you work with privileged information, this can present a serious problem. Healthcare professionals, attorneys, CPA's, as well as real estate and insurance agents all handle sensitive privileged information that is commonly protected by law.

With cyber attacks and data breaches at an all time high, everyone is at risk. From the attorney whom uses yahoo to communicate with their client to the dentist that schedules their client appointments through a free gmail app, professionals are at risk and careers could be lost.  It will only be a matter of time before the professional liability insurance carriers ask about their email security procedures.

As a consumer sharing family pictures, receiving newsletters, and getting the latest Groupon deal, free-mail is fine. It is only when dealing in sensitive, privileged information that we could be airing our dirty laundry unknowingly. 

Whether a professional or consumer, it is important to think about the repercussions if their emails suddenly became available to the general public.

Free is not free.