Third-party developers may have access to Gmail messages

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA — Google has confirmed that third-party app developers can sometimes read private emails sent by Gmail users.

Third-party developers gain access to read private emails when Google asks users for permission via a pop-up box the app asks to "read, send, delete and manage your email," according to CNet.

Google indicates that this practice isn't against its policies...instead it claims that third-party developers help Gmail build various services, reports The BBC.

According to a report by the Washington Post, there are two specific apps that was used by Google: Return Path and Edison Software.

Return Path allegedly read 8000 user emails from two years ago to develop Google's software.

Edison Software helped manage user emails to help train Gmail's "Smart Reply" Feature.

Both Return Path and Edison Software defended their actions..with the latter claiming they have "since stopped this practice."

Google said users can revoke access from any third-party apps that users have previously given access to by going to its Security Checkup page, reports EnGadget.