Reuters: Calif. Lawmaker Moves to Block Google's Gmail

A Fremont, CA state senator bought the privacy hype on Google's new Gmail service, indicating she will draft legislation to prevent Google from putting "a massive billboard in the middle of your home." While apparently quite happy to have California pharmacies act on individuals' prescription drug consumption, Liz Figueroa drew the line at Internet users seeking better email services and targeted ads.

Google may have underestimated its transformation from an underdog to a target of populists. That, coupled with the fact that people don't trust anonymity as a privacy defense, make Gmail a tough sell in some quarters.