Google News is shutting down purchased magazine content, offering refunds

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Guess the last member of whatever team implemented magazine subscription just got promoted out of that team.

I'm 99% sure that they won't come to collect my trusty Pixel 3a any time soon :)

I wonder if this is just due to something internal at Google or if there has been some more global change that has made them uninterested in continuing this?

Normally I'd guess the former given Google's legendary propensity for getting rid of services, but a couple months ago Amazon did something similar [1] which makes me wonder if the two are connected somehow:

> Effective September 4, 2023, Amazon is no longer selling print and Kindle, magazine and newspaper subscriptions.

...

> Will I receive the remaining issues for my current Kindle subscription(s)?

> No, you will no longer receive issues of your Kindle subscription(s) after September 4, 2023. We will issue you a pro-rated refund for any undelivered issues within 3-5 business days. Visit the Your Memberships and Subscriptions page for more information.

> Will I receive the remaining issues for my current Print subscription(s)?

> Yes, you will receive all issues of your print subscription through the expiration date. Please visit Your Memberships and Subscriptions page to determine when your Print subscription expires.

Kindle issues you have already received remain available on your account for download.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/arp/B0BWPTCP4K

The end result is more like you borrowed it for a deposit which they are now returning. Who cares, if you insist on reading a magazine again you can get it again somewhere else.