Recently, my Gmail account was hacked after I provided my personal email address to secure a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. My intention was to retrieve the documents via mail or in person, but I was pressured to complete the process via email. Alarmingly, during this period, unauthorized individuals repeatedly accessed my account without my consent and, crucially, without a legal warrant. This is a violation of federal law that cannot go unchallenged.

Google Gmail's response, which directs users to contact law enforcement, is inadequate, especially when the suspicion arises that the perpetrators themselves may be individuals within law enforcement. When the safety of personal information is compromised from within, it creates a grave conflict of interest and puts the security of countless Gmail users in jeopardy.

Gmail is one of the most widely used email services globally, with over 1.5 billion active users as of 2021. The vast scale of its user base means that secure and reliable service is not just an expectation; it is a necessity. When unauthorized access and breaches are not seriously addressed, Google is failing its users by putting their privacy and trust at risk.

We are calling on Google to strengthen its security measures and protocols, ensuring that every account is protected against unauthorized access. This includes implementing more robust verification processes and being more proactive in identifying and responding to suspicious account activity. Additionally, Google should offer transparent, independent channels for reporting and investigating security breaches, separate from law enforcement, to protect the integrity of such inquiries.

Please join me in urging Google to take immediate and thorough action to improve Gmail security and ensure our accounts are protected from unauthorized access. Your signature can help press for change to secure our information and uphold our privacy rights.