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An update to storage policies across your Google Account

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Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#411
post #242

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This doesn't really apply here, this is about data which is stored by the users on the services for being stored on those services according to the ToS of Google. So, it the purpose is only expired when a user decides to delete the data.

In general , the consumer data privacy laws in regions where Google has significant regulatory exposure do not permit indefinite data retention of PII. My speculation is that Google sees an across the board, 2-year inactivity period as the best option to mitigate regulatory exposure because a plain reading of, for example, Rec. 39 is that a maximum retention period must be defined as a policy organizationally.

This is a weird interpretation of privacy law and makes no sense to me. If I upload a file to Google Drive I expect them to be there as long as I don't delete the file. You could argue, that emptying the bin after 30 days would be needed to fulfill those requirements. But having an inactive account shouldn't. These privacy laws mostly deals with all the other data Google is collecting about its users while they are using the service.

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#412
post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought SDF was even free? I never used it myself but I know of it. Also to be honest: If you're not even going to log into your email for 2 years, why bother even paying for it? :)

SDF does have a free account yeah. Also a lifetime membership, but the quarterly one is amazing value for money.

Oh yeah I saw, when I wrote that I actually doublechecked but I didn't see any mention in their FAQ. But I see it now on the signup page.

It's indeed excellent, I might sign up myself. I do have VPSes of course, but I like the concept.

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#413
post #7

From the email I got from Google a few minutes ago: > Summary of the new policies (effective June 1, 2021): > • If you're inactive for 2 years (24 months) in Gmail, Drive or Photos, we may delete the content in the product(s) in which you're inactive. Google One members who are within their storage quota and in good-standing will not be impacted by this new inactive policy. > • If you exceed your storage limit for 2…

I am guessing as there have been alot of policy changes related to storage. Maybe not fully but unsustainable amount

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#414

Earlier quoted context omitted.

oh damn. I've created an account for my newborn son on my (free) google workspace domain and send him emails every few weeks with updates and photos. He'll receive the account when he's like 12. Will these be deleted too?

I have been writing a journal addressed to my son. It is just a markdown file. But this system has a flaw that is I go back and edit old entries. I would never trust a 3rd party for this kind of project. But I like that you cannot edit your emails. It just feels more honest. Now I am thinking of sending him hand written letters by mail. And just save them until he is old enough. I can add photos or his other favorite…

Just use git. The history is there (unless you take drastic measures.).

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#415
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's nothing in this article that's bashing them. It's useful information about a policy change.

You probably have missed reading the comments in this very same thread.

Fair point, there are commenters complaining. I was just looked at the article and a couple of the top comments.

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#416
post #4

> "If you're over your storage limit for two years, Google may delete your content across Gmail, Drive and Photos," the company said. That's different from just deleting all your data because you're inactive. Which is it? Edit: it seems both. Here's the blog post (maybe this is a better link): https://blog.google/products/photos/storage-policy-update/

Wow, 4.3 petabytes a day . Operating at Google's scale these days is just nuts.

I interviewed at G and eventually matched with teams writing software for core networking functions. In that process, the discussion came out that the software was responsible for roughly 11% of traffic...for the entire Internet.

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#417

Google encouraged opening a Gmail account for your kid and emailing it memories as they grow up. So now once they turn 13 and you hand over the password, it'll be deleted?

This is really not a big deal, just login to the account and you’ll be fine.

That's what I thought for many services before. Some day you just don't keep up with your reminders because you will it tomorrow. And then next week. And suddenly it is too late.

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#418
post #4

> "If you're over your storage limit for two years, Google may delete your content across Gmail, Drive and Photos," the company said. That's different from just deleting all your data because you're inactive. Which is it? Edit: it seems both. Here's the blog post (maybe this is a better link): https://blog.google/products/photos/storage-policy-update/

Wow, 4.3 petabytes a day . Operating at Google's scale these days is just nuts.

I wonder what kind of HDD setup they (and AWS, and Azure, etc) are using.

A reasonable price point is that of a 10 TB HDD, you would need 430 new disks of that size everyday.

Would love to learn about what kind of contracts they enter in with hardware manufacturers.

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#419

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same with the Google Pixel thing, where Pixels had less storage than iPhones, but Google constantly ran ads saying that wasn't an issue because you'd have unlimited storage for all your photos and RAWs, forever, with no restrictions, as long as they were auto-uploaded by Google Photos from the Google Camera on your Google Pixel. And now even compressed jpegs have a size and time limit.

In fairness, they've persisted this policy for the given phones being advertised. The OG Pixel said original quality for life, and that persists. Every other Pixel until Pixel 4 had a time limit on unlimited quality original uploads, and THAT persists. And even for Pixel 4 & Pixel 5, they're persisting the unlimited "high quality" storage option that they advertised the phones as having. Don't get me wrong, I'm annoy…

> The OG Pixel said original quality for life, and that persists

Mine was ended. I've got an OG Pixel.

Re: An update to storage policies across your Google Account

#420

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, 4.3 petabytes a day . Operating at Google's scale these days is just nuts.

I wonder what kind of HDD setup they (and AWS, and Azure, etc) are using. A reasonable price point is that of a 10 TB HDD, you would need 430 new disks of that size everyday. Would love to learn about what kind of contracts they enter in with hardware manufacturers.

The storage company most willing to explain what they're doing is Backblaze. Their blog is great. https://www.backblaze.com/blog/category/cloud-storage/storag...
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