I need to use Gmail for work (so not optional) and I need to use it on my PC (remote work). Drive, Forms and other random services too but Gmail all day every day.
Since this is not my personal email, my primary concern is that I don’t want Google to “contaminate” other areas of my workflow and my personal tasks and browsing. I find that Google always finds a way to infiltrate everything across apps, browsers, other services etc on the same device, even on desktop PCs. (Obviously it’s worse on mobile like iOS). (Maybe I’m overreacting about the PC but I doubt it)
Main question: with this concern in mind, would it be better to use it via IMAP on Thunderbird? Or is the browser still better? LibreWolf with containers? Mullvad Browser is kind of out of the question, doing the million logins that I am required to do on G services every single day in Mullvad will make me go insane. At least in LW I can clear browsing data once a week or even every 3 days, which is already more merciful
But then again , if I’m using other GSuite services it would have to be in the browser anyway… so I’m just not sure if Thunderbird will be the silver bullet anyway.
Create another separate user on PC for work only, maybe? How does that compare?
I would have a dedicated computer, accounts, and phone number just for work. Total separation of everything. It’s fairly common, from what I’ve heard, for employers to require certain software (lets call it spyware) to be installed on remote work computers. No way that crap should go on a personal use computer.
At least when I looked into it, Google had slightly less shitty policies and practices for their (paying) business, organizational, and enterprise customers.
I like compartementalization/separation (not just for privacy reasons, also organization, focus, and many other reasons) so I’d compartmentalize your work stuff from your personal stuff in whatever way works for you (maybe a separate work device, maybe a separate user account on your OS, maybe a VM, maybe simply a separate browser profile is enough)
I have two follow up questions: What OS do you currently have? Does your organization schedule and host video calls though Google Meet?
A lot of folks here mentioned getting a separate work laptop. Spending money just to avoid G-Suite can be worth it, but can understandably be a burden when you already have a working device in front of you.
As for virtual machines, they can integrate well into your workflow if your computer’s specs are high enough. If you do go the work laptop route, compartmentalization works better in Qubes (especially with a dedicated work VM). Browser video calls work just fine if you tinker around a bit.
Remember that Qubes is a VERY extreme solution to this problem. You might be better off using Librewolf’s containers. But sometimes aiming high can make smaller issues like yours easier to solve.
Oh they are definitely paying for it. Everything is on the Workspace. Good to hear it’s not as bad. I’ll probably just look into browser compartmentalization
One question I was meaning to ask: is there any difference using Gmail specifically in browser vs in Thunderbird? In terms of connection to their servers for info collection. Would that be “filtered out” so to speak because it would only be an IMAP connection with Thunderbird? Or they still have a way?
In short, a Thunderbird client will periodically connect to Google’s servers and download your emails, while using Gmail ensures a real-time connection with their servers. While this may reduce the temporal aspect of data collection (tracking you right now vs tracking you everytime you sync emails), Google can still know about the emails you send and relevant metadata. However, you can be assured that the Thunderbird client will not be spying on your computer directly.
If you care about Google not tracking you outside of Gmail (i.e through cookies or trackers), Thunderbird can help prevent that. But, some information must be sent to Google when downloading emails or authenticating your Gmail account for the first time.