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Google Drive could soon start locking your files

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Re: Google Drive could soon start locking your files

#91

Aside from legitimate DMCAs what I'm worried about is losing backupped files of any sort because some rogue individual files a complaint on stuff they don't own or because of an ML error and an inexistent customer service by Google. Also I don't really like the service to sneak onto any files I upload. What alternatives do we have for cloud file backup? I already do full backups, need something to sync files between…

You wouldn't lose the content just the ability to share it, if I read it correctly, which is something I wouldn't normally want anyway. My backups are done with restic so Google can't tell what's present since it's encrypted.

Re: Google Drive could soon start locking your files

#92
post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I would feel the same if the deleted document was a plan for a nuclear weapon. If it is not shared with anyone, why should a cloud provider get to decide what I can and can't store? I want to be able to use that storage as an extension of my local hard drives/SSD's with the ease of use of accessing it between different devices. I still consider it my data. That those bits and bytes happen to represent a document…

it remains their property on which you store your preciousness

We had that sort of thing in 'real property' too. Today most jurisdictions limit the supervision landlords can decide to implement over tenants (who in fact have a 'property right' in many cases over the property as well as the freeholder, and the right to 'peacefully enjoy' (without intrusion) their home) .

It seems like eventually the law will have to change so that these companies have to start treating users like tenants rather than serfs.

Re: Google Drive could soon start locking your files

#94

I'm sorry, Google will scan my personal files for hate speech now? When exactly the the first amendment become toilet paper? Certainly feels like it happened in the last 2 years.

tldr: s/first amendment/free speech principles

obligatory mention that the first amendment doesn't apply to private companies, only governments. Then reply and say, "I mean the spirit of the first amendment" and then I'll agree with you. better to just say "free speech principles" rather than "first amendment"

Re: Google Drive could soon start locking your files

#95

Get a Synology NAS, you will not regret having data sovereignty

Or even better just build your own NAS. Synology are overpriced for what you get.

they are also locking their newer 12bay and rack units to only work with their own overpriced (re)branded Toshiba drives.

before this they were great units that were very easy to setup and manage provided you were not concerned about cost.

Re: Google Drive could soon start locking your files

#96

I'm sorry, Google will scan my personal files for hate speech now? When exactly the the first amendment become toilet paper? Certainly feels like it happened in the last 2 years.

The First Amendment does not apply here since Google is a company.

Re: Google Drive could soon start locking your files

#98
You can encrypt your files with Cryptomator[1] if you don't want Google looking at your files. I'm not sure about their policy on that though? I mean if it's encrypted, then they can't scan for piracy / Christchurch videos and other contraband, right?

[1] https://cryptomator.org/

Re: Google Drive could soon start locking your files

#99
post #56
post #6

I will never forget that the Christchurch shooting video was automatically deleted from users' PRIVATE Google Drive and Dropbox - no warnings were given and no explanation was presented.

Perhaps I'm sensitive as a NZer, but would you feel the same if the deleted document was a plan for a nuclear weapon etc? Though while giving a warning is clearly inappropriate, they should certainly have explained what they did.

I hear you, even though you are downvoted. Right here in the ~10 comments you have from Americans we can see the "double standards" that people adopt. There was no outrage (actually some "anti-outrage") when Apple, Google and AWS censored Parler, an app that allowed "freedom of expression".

People draw the line when it affects their beliefs, in that case they say it was justified for Google, Apple and AWS to censor an application that potentially can be misused. But they get outraged at the thought of removing a video of a massacre, and also they outrage at the thought of limiting their access to tools that are made for the main sole purpose of killing people.

Go figure!

Re: Google Drive could soon start locking your files

#100

I'm sorry, Google will scan my personal files for hate speech now? When exactly the the first amendment become toilet paper? Certainly feels like it happened in the last 2 years.

tldr: s/first amendment/free speech principles obligatory mention that the first amendment doesn't apply to private companies, only governments. Then reply and say, "I mean the spirit of the first amendment" and then I'll agree with you. better to just say "free speech principles" rather than "first amendment"

The first amendment does apply to companies. As in they have the right to not associate with you for any reason. However, there are plenty of cases where that right has been taken from them when their services have been deemed so necessary that they must do business with the general public. e.g. the electric company can't cut you off if they don't like your politics. And until recently we had net neutrality. There is no reason that a platform neutrality policy couldn't be legislated in the same manner without violating the constitution.
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