Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: Holiday Gift Ideas | How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

We may earn commissions when you buy from links on our site. Why you can trust us.

author photo

Google Calendar Privacy Flaw

by Fox Van Allen on January 24, 2014

Google has promised to fix a potentially embarrassing Calendar privacy flaw for those who use the service to create personal reminders, website The Verge is reporting.

According to Terence Eden, who first reported the flaw, putting a person’s email address in a Google Calendar subject line will automatically result in that person getting an automatic invite to the “event” without prompting or asking permission. No email notification is sent unless the calendar item is deleted.

Google Calendar email glitch in action

You can see the glitch in action in the video below.

Clearly, Google intended to create some kind of smart calendar functionality here – a simple way for you to collaborate and add people to events. Ultimately, though, the feature isn’t smart enough in the way it behaves. As Eden points out, creating a reminder entry “e-mail husband@example.com with divorce details” would add the event to both your calendars – likely not what you would want to happen.

Google is “actively working to fix” this issue, says The Verge. In the meantime, Calendar users should be aware that this functionality exists. Avoiding problems here is pretty simple: Just keep email addresses out of your Calendar subjects and you’ll be fine.


Topics

Computers and Software, News, Blog, Privacy


Discussion loading

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships | Licensing & Permissions
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.