Google Now Assisting Spammers

[cwg]

Apparently, you can enter people into your "circle" without Google generating an opt-in notice to the email address, and then they can spam you with messages until Google figures out that you're using their system to report the person as a spammer is a spammer and shuts down the account.

And we all know how quick that's going to happen, right?

[Farelf]

Some details might be helpful. People have always used social networking to spam. Is this related to the Extended circles feature? The main article Circles and stream suggests you can easily adjust notification settings and block contact with undesirables. But, since the extended circle is outside your immediate control,

You aren't able to see a complete list of the people included in your extended circles--it's a collection of people that's frequently changing.

it certainly sounds horrific to me.

This is the sort of reason reason why many of us try very hard to avoid the seduction of the social networking media (admitting avoidance is a hard line to follow). Another reason for avoidance is the insane risk of the broadcasting of personal information (almost inevitable over time) and the real personal security implications in that - but that's getting off-topic.

No email implications, hopefully?? - last time they did that it was supposedly a cunning exploit and the vulnerability was "quickly" killed.

[petzl]

No email implications, hopefully?? - last time they did that it was supposedly a cunning exploit and the vulnerability was "quickly" killed.

Pretty hard not to sign-up with "Face-book" or "Twitter" as a fair bit of info is put on-it requiring a log-in to view it. I just use Gmail (free throwaway) to register with and have all attempts to contact me go to the spam bucket. I have done everything to try and ensure I don't get contacted but it is ignored.

[cwg]

Return-path: <noreply-94e9ba4b[at]plus.google.com>
Envelope-to: fakename[at]fakeemail
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Subject: A1R Psychic Radio is seeking RADIO HOST starting...
From: "Connie Henley-Solomon (Google+)" <noreply-94e9ba4b[at]plus.google.com>
To: fakename[at]fakeemail
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And even with reporting them with google's own reporting page, and on the profile page, and with spamcop reports, the abuser is still sending me messages.

I DID NOT opt into this list, I do not have a gmail or google plus account, I do not have to opt out. Google needs to get OPT IN verification on all persons who the g+ user entering into their spamming list. No opt in confirmation? Cannot have that email address on your spamming list.