It's not just Google, this is the modern web. If you use a web based service I think it's better to assume everything you give them is theirs, otherwise it's an impossible battle of constantly reviewing massive ToS changes and a mutating product/features. I guess this view probably sounds a little out of touch but it's easier if you don't use a smart phone.
An unwanted update to your Google Account
21–30 of 201 posts
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#22I understand the author's frustration. But until someone finds out how a company that operates globally can satisfy the laws of the countries their customers are located in without associating the accounts with a country, I'm not sure what we can do. > What I find curious is that it says the services are essentially the same between different countries. So, there is no advantage to me as a consumer for anything to ch…
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#23Do you have Google One or a Workspace plan? I'd be curious if you contact support from there if they are able to assist you. Last I checked, Google One offers a free trial.
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#24I understand the author's frustration. But until someone finds out how a company that operates globally can satisfy the laws of the countries their customers are located in without associating the accounts with a country, I'm not sure what we can do. > What I find curious is that it says the services are essentially the same between different countries. So, there is no advantage to me as a consumer for anything to ch…
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#25I understand the author's frustration. But until someone finds out how a company that operates globally can satisfy the laws of the countries their customers are located in without associating the accounts with a country, I'm not sure what we can do. > What I find curious is that it says the services are essentially the same between different countries. So, there is no advantage to me as a consumer for anything to ch…
If someone rents an Airbnb for a few months in a new location are they now a resident of that new location? If we aren't talking about residency then changing an association (whatever that means) seems arbitrary.
> As someone who travels a lot (not recently!)
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#26You don't lose privacy protection by virtue of Google changing your location. You lose privacy protection by not being a resident of the jurisdiction with those laws.
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#27I understand the author's frustration. But until someone finds out how a company that operates globally can satisfy the laws of the countries their customers are located in without associating the accounts with a country, I'm not sure what we can do. > What I find curious is that it says the services are essentially the same between different countries. So, there is no advantage to me as a consumer for anything to ch…
If someone rents an Airbnb for a few months in a new location are they now a resident of that new location? If we aren't talking about residency then changing an association (whatever that means) seems arbitrary.
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#28I understand the author's frustration. But until someone finds out how a company that operates globally can satisfy the laws of the countries their customers are located in without associating the accounts with a country, I'm not sure what we can do. > What I find curious is that it says the services are essentially the same between different countries. So, there is no advantage to me as a consumer for anything to ch…
If someone rents an Airbnb for a few months in a new location are they now a resident of that new location? If we aren't talking about residency then changing an association (whatever that means) seems arbitrary.
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#29I understand the author's frustration. But until someone finds out how a company that operates globally can satisfy the laws of the countries their customers are located in without associating the accounts with a country, I'm not sure what we can do. > What I find curious is that it says the services are essentially the same between different countries. So, there is no advantage to me as a consumer for anything to ch…
If someone rents an Airbnb for a few months in a new location are they now a resident of that new location? If we aren't talking about residency then changing an association (whatever that means) seems arbitrary.
But yes, those kinds of thresholds are common when it comes to residency as an official concept for e.g. taxation. Usually the threshold is around 183 days, but there is no reason why it'd be obviously less arbitrary than other choices.
Re: An unwanted update to your Google Account
#30If you don't want to be subject to the laws of the country you're in[1] you have to move. Google can't help you.
[1] Edit: I guess in this circumstance better phrased as "If you want legal protections offered by a country you're not in..."