Larry Magid: Clinton Opted For Email Convenience, But Is Her Argument Technologically Sound?
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke for the first time on Tuesday about why she used her own private email account when serving as Secretary of State saying she did it out of convenience and wanted to avoid carrying more than one electronic device.
The issue of work email and personal privacy are a concern for many in the business as some companies have rules against conducting business using non-company accounts.
Clinton, speaking at a press conference after a speech at the United Nations, said she had no reason to save personal emails from her time as Secretary of State.
The possible Democratic presidential candidate said there were more than 60,000 emails in total sent and received. About half of them were personal emails, she said.
Clinton maintained she went "above and beyond" what she was required to do as a State Department employee.
Her comments came after days of silence and intensifying calls from Democrats as well as Republicans to address the matter.
But is Mrs. Clinton's argument technologically sound?
"You can do it all on one device and it's a lot easier now than when she started her job," said KCBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid.
Of course, he says it's more convenient to have one account. "It seems to me as Secretary of State it makes more sense to have separate accounts, but it's not uncommon in Washington to have two phones.
Even in the corporate world it's not terribly uncommon. Apparently she opted for ultimate convenience, at least that's the story we're hearing."
Clinton has apparently learned her lesson and is now carrying both an iPhone and a BlackBerry.