Are apps that access gmail only have write-only access or full gmail access (potential security risk?)

Question

I use a backup app to backup SMS text messages to my GMail account registered on my HTC Desire Z Android 2.3 phone.

The app requests access to the gmail account. But what does this actually mean? Does it mean:

• the application has write-only access to the gmail - i.e. can insert emails but not delete or adjust other existing emails (does the Android API provide for that?)

• the application has full access to the email, and could potentially delete emails if there was a bug

Answer 1

First off: this question doesn't seem to belong on Stackoverflow. This site is for asking specific questions about coding problems, not about how some code in some program based on some SDK on some device may or may not work.

If an application can access your Gmail account, as far as I know, this means full control, including deletion. That doesn't have to mean there is actual code in the program that even tries to delete something, but I guess you're right: coding bugs could probably delete your email.

But that goes for a lot of applications: you trust the developer to test extensively before you rely on him/ her to handle your photos, email, passwords etc with care right? :)