Google linking of social network contacts to e-mail raises concerns

TROUBLING: A new feature in Google Inc's Gmail will result in some users receiving messages from people with whom they have not shared their e-mail addresses, raising concerns among some privacy advocates.

SAN FRANCISCO: A new feature in Google Inc's Gmail will result in some users receiving messages from people with whom they have not shared their e-mail addresses, raising concerns among some privacy advocates. 

The change, which Google announced on Thursday, broadens the list of contacts available to Gmail users so it includes both the e-mail addresses of their existing contacts, as well as the names of people on the Google+ social network. As a result, a person can send an e-mail directly to friends, and strangers, who use Google+.