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Google to prevent drunken emailing
Wednesday, 8 October, 2008
Google's Mail Goggles service aims to end drunken emailing (Getty Images)
Internet giant Google has adapted its email service to prevent people sending emails they later regret while under the influence or in weaker moments.
Its new 'Mail Goggles' software requires users to answer five simple mathematical problems correctly in less than a minute before they will be able to send a Gmail message.
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The innovative system kicks in after dark and on weekends - when altered states of mind are more probable - and offers people a sometimes vital chance to think again before they fire off angry or desperate missives.
"Sometimes I send messages I shouldn't send," said Gmail engineer Jon Perlow, announcing the optional
new feature.
"Like the time I told that girl I had a crush on her over text message. Or the time I sent that late night email to my ex-girlfriend that we should get back together."
Gmail users can adjust their email settings to activate the Goggles feature and dictate the times it is active.
"It will check that you're really sure you want to send that late night Friday email," said Perlow.
"And what better way to check than by making you solve a few simple math problems after you click send to verify you're in the right state of mind?"
Source: SBS/AFP
