Tech

Evernote's New Privacy Policy Grants Employees Access To Read User Data, What Can Users Do About It?

Hemal Vora
First Posted: Dec 16, 2016 02:49 AM EST

In a recent privacy policy update, the popular note-taking app Evernote has opened gates for a few employees to access user content. This bold move was made to improve the app's machine learning technology.

Users Call The Policy Update "Disgraceful."

This implies that Evernote employees have so far been able to access users' notes and it went somehow unnoticed. To add on there is not much an option to opt out the change than to quit Evernote completely. Agitated by this forced change, many users called the Evernote's new privacy policy update "disgraceful" on Twitter earlier this week.

The Policy Update Details

The most annoying paragraph in the note stated that if users prefer to opt out of machine learning technologies on their content as well as those that require human review, they can do so in their account settings. They can opt out of the account settings option that says 'Allow Evernote to use my data to improve my experience.' However, users may not be able to get most of the app's services if they choose to opt-out, as reported by Forbes.

Employees Can Still Read User Notes

Evernote's new privacy policy also stated that even if they choose to opt out of machine learning they cannot opt out of employees looking at their content for the other reasons mentioned in the policy under the section, "Does Evernote Share My Personal Information or Content?"

It looks like even if users choose to give up some of the cool machine learning features of the app, the new privacy policy still allows Evernote employees to peak at users notes, as reported by GSM arena.

EvernoteMakes Best Steps To Protect User Data

However, the company has also mentioned that it is doing its best to protect user data from going any wrong. The select employees have been administered through background checks and "specific security and privacy training." This ensures that the employee is at least updated on the latest privacy and security requirements and standards.

Also, users can select specific texts that are only for their eyes and lock them under the encrypt option. Evernote's new privacy policy becomes official on January 23rd. Stay tuned to SWR for more updates.

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