We need laws to stop Google deleting data in such circumstances. It's one thing to block or remove access to one's data but deleting it is another matter altogether.
Google is a monopoly and people have little choice other than to use it or go without.
If governments cannot bring Big Tech to heal—which seems to be the case—then the least they can do is to protect people's data. A third party, government tribunal etc., ought to be an avenue of appeal. Only after investigation by such an authority and after it deems material illegal etc. could it be deleted.
Despite what I've said I for the life of me cannot understand why people trust Google with their data without first backing it up elsewhere.
For the record I've even chosen to not have a Google account (at least a current one linked to a phone number and a smartphone). Before such mandatory requirements I posted to YouTube under an alias.
You can't fault people for using a popular service that's advertised as safe.
Maybe the solution is laws requiring prominent disclosure of high-impact practices like this. How many people would use Youtube if the sign-up page said, in bold red letters:
WE CAN AND WILL DELETE USERS' ENTIRE ACCOUNT AND LIVELIHOOD AT ANY TIME.
YOU WILL HAVE NO RECOURSE OR EXPLANATION.
WE DON'T REALLY EVEN EMPLOY HUMANS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT.
What's your specific disagreement? If it's that I'm still uploading data to Google then it can't be much. Google's apps have been removed and a firewall blocks any third party ones from the internet that aren't from F-Droid.
> Despite what I've said I for the life of me cannot understand why people trust Google with their data without first backing it up elsewhere.
Because most people are non-technical, most technically skilled people assume a basic level of good faith and transparency from society, and even people who are both technical and cynical have finite hours for setting up NextCloud.
And by non-technical, I mean "doesn't know what a folder is", not "might struggle with long Docker commands". OneDrive and Google Photos already describe themselves as a "Backup" in the UI, so why would you need another backup unless they're lying?
Big Tech can obfsucate their bad behavior behind technical complexity, simply not care about operating in good faith, and still attain market dominance through convenient offerings and manipulative practices.
Imagine your pizza shop taking back a pie they'd already delivered, or your local bank branch unilaterally deciding to incinerate your safe deposit box. They'd never get away with it. But Google can.
Instead of faulting people for trusting them, we should hold Big Tech accountable for not being trustworthy.
>Despite what I've said I for the life of me cannot understand why people trust Google with their data without first backing it up elsewhere.
What's actually a good solution to backing up your data?
Let's assume I would like to spend hundreds, not thousands of dollars, and I'm not interested in physically mailing copies to friends or maintaining a safety deposit box.
Last I checked, the usual recommendations are pretty dang clunky.
Google is a monopoly and people have little choice other than to use it or go without.
If governments cannot bring Big Tech to heal—which seems to be the case—then the least they can do is to protect people's data. A third party, government tribunal etc., ought to be an avenue of appeal. Only after investigation by such an authority and after it deems material illegal etc. could it be deleted.
Despite what I've said I for the life of me cannot understand why people trust Google with their data without first backing it up elsewhere.
For the record I've even chosen to not have a Google account (at least a current one linked to a phone number and a smartphone). Before such mandatory requirements I posted to YouTube under an alias.