By default GMail has added a new setting that allows everyone in G+ the ability to send you e-mail through your profile, to change this go to
Gear Icon -> Settings -> scroll down to "EMail via Google+" and choose the level of access you want to grant, strangely by default it's set to Anyone on Google+ (at least it was for me).
I don't use Google+ very much though I have noticed a lot more spurious chat contacts requesting access in the last few weeks which raised an eyebrow
Yep, I find Google's defaults disturbing.
Yeah, I'm getting less and less comfortable with google these days. They are trying to force G+ through their more popular services, and not thinking through the consequences of certain changes.
I feel like someone at google comes up with what they think is the HOTTEST idea EVER and pushes it. not thinking it through, or putting it through any kind of testing what so ever.
That is about the only thing that can explain the changes they've been making, and the problems that crop up as a result.
Thanks for pointing this out. I got an email from Google today touting the "new functionality". And I immediately turned it off.
I wonder if they will ever learn that people don't constantly want new crap added to the basic tools?
They aren't interested in what people want. Only in pushing G+.
It's funny, they want to make Facebook so bad when Facebook is somewhat floundering
They might have been able to do it too if the UI wasn't a complete mess
At this point I think they are too deep in their own coolaid to notice anything else...
Well if people don't like the services they are open to use alternatives obviously, I just don't like seeing a good company turn rotten like so many before it have, it's a crying shame.
Disabling the worst of their privacy changes still isn't as bad as most alternative services.
The thing is it seems like all the stuff I don't want or is potentially dangerous is turned on by default, like I bet right now your profile can be found by doing a Google search.
I had to hunt around to figure out how to disable profile discovery
(Under Google+ Settings look for the Profile section and disable the flag labelled "Help others discover my profile in search results")
As far as I'm concerned it's Google's responsibility to protect my online identity and make it clear to me what I'm exposing by using a service if they force me to use it.
I bet most people don't even know you can find and e-mail them through Google+ by just querying their name
As long as Google continues to provide beatbox ability (http://gizmopod.com/gallery/6196/15-amazing-hidden-features-of-google/62957) I will put up with the other crap.
Go ahead, try it yourself (http://translate.google.com/#auto/en/pv%20kkkkkk%20pv%20pv%20pv%20ppkk%20pdf%20bschk%20bschk%20pv%20zk%20pv%20bschk%20pv%20pv%20pv%20bschk%20bschk%20bschk%20kkkkkkkkkk%20bschk%20bsch)!
Google "Nest" is gonna bring the "smart" to your home ...
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57617161-76/how-google-and-nest-could-get-the-smart-home-all-wrong/
...but probably around a decade from now.
I wonder if this will combine with "Project Loon" (https://www.google.com/search?q=Project+Loon) (aka wifi for everyone, using balloons!)
"Now Google knows when you leave home, and owns some data about your physical activities therein..." Don't be evil Google! PLEASE don't be evil...
It knows when you are sleeping, it knows when you're awake. It knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.
Oooooooooooooooooh you better watch out
/apologies