I'm pretty sure this is wrong. I worked at Google for a few years and I don't recall sharing my transcripts or even putting my GPA on my resume. At not point in the process did they ask for my GPA IIRC.
It's entirely possible that this has changed, but I'd be pretty surprised. Competition for tech talent has heated up A LOT since then, and using transcripts as a blunt instrument to limit your talent pool seems like a move in the wrong direction.
Huh, interesting, I applied (for an eng role) not _very_ long after you. There's a tiny possibility that they required my transcripts at some point later in the process and I forgot about it, but I doubt it, and I do specifically recall intentionally not including my GPA or transcripts[1] and being surprised that no one asked about them.
It's also possible (but prob unlikely) that they treat candidates in a more case-by-case fashion, and don't ask for transcripts for certain programs that are well-known to them (I got my degrees at Cal).
[1] I overextended myself in college and ended up with three degrees and a low-3s GPA
I went to Ole Miss so it's definitely possible someone looked at that and said "well, we're definitely not taking a 3.0 from there" and wanted transcripts.
It's also possible that they asked for transcripts and you politely declined while I felt it was a non-negotiable request.
It's entirely possible that this has changed, but I'd be pretty surprised. Competition for tech talent has heated up A LOT since then, and using transcripts as a blunt instrument to limit your talent pool seems like a move in the wrong direction.