[drzoltar]

I have a dark-pattern theory: Gmail tracks retention metrics, one of whose proxies are app opens. If you don’t get a lot of email, or haven’t opened the gmail app in a while, then they purposely let some spam through to trick you into an app open. Also, people who are susceptible to click on spam are likely excellent targets for Google’s behemoth ad platform, so it probably leads to higher conversion (by collecting data points on you).

[jdlshore]

This sort of evidence-free conspiracy-theory cynicism is common these days. I don't think it's helpful.

[contingencies]

How to obtain evidence from a closed system? Sadly, large multinational corporate behavior in the field of walled gardens (or vehicular safety, or financial practice...) has often tended toward perverse and scheming motivations, so a reasonable degree of creative cynicism is not uncalled for. We humans are, after all, creative and greedy little bastards.