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Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

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Re: Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

#3
I agree they should be clearer -- as should the vast majority of companies storing data on behalf of consumers -- but this is being blown out of proportion.

It's a little unfair to highlight how Dropbox says "You retain full ownership to your stuff" while not also pointing out that Google says the same thing, "You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights that you hold in that content. In short, what belongs to you stays yours."

Re: Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

#4
post #3

I agree they should be clearer -- as should the vast majority of companies storing data on behalf of consumers -- but this is being blown out of proportion. It's a little unfair to highlight how Dropbox says "You retain full ownership to your stuff" while not also pointing out that Google says the same thing, "You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights that you hold in that content. In short, what belon…

Didn't Dropbox scan through source code someone had uploaded and discovered an app that created a Dropbox API then banned him?

Re: Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

#5
post #3

I agree they should be clearer -- as should the vast majority of companies storing data on behalf of consumers -- but this is being blown out of proportion. It's a little unfair to highlight how Dropbox says "You retain full ownership to your stuff" while not also pointing out that Google says the same thing, "You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights that you hold in that content. In short, what belon…

Google then proceeds to say the exact opposite in the next paragraph: http://i.imgur.com/dqGgk.png

Quote: When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works [...]

Full text: http://www.google.com/policies/terms/

Ignoring the fact that paragraph 1 and 2 directly contradict each other, I supposed what they want to say is:

1. By default all your data belongs to us.

2. We generously narrow the scope in the TOS for some of our services.

Personally I find this inacceptable.

The default should be keep their hands off my data. If individual services need more rights then that should be in the TOS of the respective services.

Re: Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

#6
post #5
post #3

I agree they should be clearer -- as should the vast majority of companies storing data on behalf of consumers -- but this is being blown out of proportion. It's a little unfair to highlight how Dropbox says "You retain full ownership to your stuff" while not also pointing out that Google says the same thing, "You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights that you hold in that content. In short, what belon…

Google then proceeds to say the exact opposite in the next paragraph: http://i.imgur.com/dqGgk.png Quote: When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works [...] Full text: http://www.google.com/policies/terms/ Ignoring the fact that paragraph 1 and 2 directly contradict each other,…

There is no contradiction; you are confusing ownership and licensing. You are still the owner of your content, but of course you have to grant Google permission to use it! How else would it be legal to operate Google Drive and store things on your behalf?

I think we can agree that it would be unfair for someone to place content in Google Drive and then turn around and sue Google for copyright infringement when it is uploaded to their servers, no?

Re: Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

#7
I should be crystal clear. To the point of informing you when it happens and for what purpose. After all it is yours apparently. Alas.. we do not live in a perfect world.

The bottom line is don't be stupid and assume private corporations with shareholders interests (money) at the heart of their activity, will not snoop.

If you do not want others looking at your stuff, put in a container which you actually own or can at least put a big lock on.

Re: Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

#8
post #5
post #3

I agree they should be clearer -- as should the vast majority of companies storing data on behalf of consumers -- but this is being blown out of proportion. It's a little unfair to highlight how Dropbox says "You retain full ownership to your stuff" while not also pointing out that Google says the same thing, "You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights that you hold in that content. In short, what belon…

Google then proceeds to say the exact opposite in the next paragraph: http://i.imgur.com/dqGgk.png Quote: When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works [...] Full text: http://www.google.com/policies/terms/ Ignoring the fact that paragraph 1 and 2 directly contradict each other,…

You cropped your screenshot a little unfairly -- the very next line is clearly relevant to the discussion: "The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones."

Re: Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

#9
post #5
post #3

I agree they should be clearer -- as should the vast majority of companies storing data on behalf of consumers -- but this is being blown out of proportion. It's a little unfair to highlight how Dropbox says "You retain full ownership to your stuff" while not also pointing out that Google says the same thing, "You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights that you hold in that content. In short, what belon…

Google then proceeds to say the exact opposite in the next paragraph: http://i.imgur.com/dqGgk.png Quote: When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works [...] Full text: http://www.google.com/policies/terms/ Ignoring the fact that paragraph 1 and 2 directly contradict each other,…

I don't think those are contradictory. In order for Google to synchronize your data to various devices and provide it to its API's for you to access it in its applications, it needs permission (a license) from you. Asking for that license every time you try to access each photo in an image manipulation program would be excessively cumbersome.

In addition, this policy is directly related to "submitting content". I do not interpret that to include storing files on a storage service or sending email through a hosted email source. Submitting content needs to be defined, but it is not the same as copying a file into a storage bin. After putting an image into your Google drive, you might then submit it to Picasa, or you may even have an automated process of submitting all files in your Google drive to Picasa, but the submission of that content has to be considered a different act than just storing data on a hosted storage drive.

Re: Will Google Drive Snoop Inside Your Data? Google Needs to Be Clearer

#10
post #6
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google then proceeds to say the exact opposite in the next paragraph: http://i.imgur.com/dqGgk.png Quote: When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works [...] Full text: http://www.google.com/policies/terms/ Ignoring the fact that paragraph 1 and 2 directly contradict each other,…

There is no contradiction; you are confusing ownership and licensing. You are still the owner of your content, but of course you have to grant Google permission to use it! How else would it be legal to operate Google Drive and store things on your behalf? I think we can agree that it would be unfair for someone to place content in Google Drive and then turn around and sue Google for copyright infringement when it is…

The problem is that it's not clear the license to "use, create derivatives, etc" is solely for the purpose of providing you access to your data worldwide. Using, say, your vacation photos in an advertisement seems within the scope of the TOS. Google could be clearer if they chose to be. I believe it is intentionally vague.
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