Microsoft really wants its Outlook.com email app to pick up new users. Its solution? Attack the hell out of Google’s incredibly popular Gmail service.

In Novemeber, Microsoft tried to go after Google’s search credibility by claiming that Google Shopping results were all advertisements rather than fair comparisons of products found around the web. Now it appears Microsoft is going after an even meatier target than Google Shopping by attacking Gmail.

The new Scroogled.com site from Microsoft makes the case that Gmail snoops on all of your emails to serve you better ads.

“Google goes through every Gmail that’s sent or received, looking for keywords so they can target Gmail users with paid ads,” the site claims. “And there’s no way to opt out of this invasion of your privacy.”

Technically, what Microsoft is saying is true. Google does scan emails so it can contextually give you advertising. Google has previously addressed these issues by saying that it walks a careful line. And even as Google has addressed these issues, Gmail’s many users haven’t felt the need to leave.

As an alternative, Microsoft is pushing its Outlook.com service, which is debuted in mid-2012 as a replacement to Hotmail. The site’s ad copy reads:

Outlook.com prioritizes your privacy. You won’t see ads based on keywords from your personal email. Your email is nobody else’s business. But Google makes it their business. Even if you’re not a Gmail user, Google still goes through your personal email sent to Gmail and uses the content to sell ads.

Screenshot via Scroogled.com

Filed under: Business, Cloud, VentureBeat

Categorised as: Chief Digital Officer | Digital Media | Feedster

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