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The thing is that it will be nigh impossible for you to prove that Google didn't just set a flag to hide your data from public view, but still has and uses it (

by thg 9y ago

The thing is that it will be nigh impossible for you to prove that Google didn't just set a flag to hide your data from public view, but still has and uses it (e.g. to target you with advertising). There are no repercussions to not abiding by the law if you leave no (usable) evidence behind.

flexie 9y ago
And that is why the burden of proof will soon be on the company, not the user, cf the data protection regulation
Filligree 9y ago
Well, I can't be sure about what the entire company is doing, but I've had an awful lot of code dealing with properly deleting accounts cross my inbox. If we're actually keeping data, then that'd be a shock to me.
- nindalf 9y ago
  Don't spoil the fun of the conspiracy theorists.
  - quickben 9y ago
    Outside of the crazies, for the rest, ever considered that maybe you are just uninformed? Ten years ago, the ones telling people that agencies are storing everything by default, and Skype was bought/centralized to help with that were labeled as such. Nowdays it's "yea so"?
- danieldk 9y ago
  If we're actually keeping data, then that'd be a shock to me. So, why not just state in the terms of service that data is actually erased within N days/months after deletion? One could always list exceptions (such as business listings). Either Google cannot really guarantee that the data is deleted (due to its storage system); Google wants to reserve the right to retain some data in the future; or it is actually retaining some data. Otherwise, there is no point in putting this in your ToS. All three reasons are pretty worrisome. Also, what you say is provably false in a more general sense. Google retains all kinds of analytics/tracking data of internet users that you cannot have removed. When you visit a site with Google ads or analytics, Google is keeping data on you.
  - mikejb 9y ago
    > Google is keeping data on you. IIUC that is anonymized data. The whole point then is that it cannot be associated to your account, i.e. cannot be removed when you delete your account. Otherwise, there's a shit-ton of law and regulations around this issue. I'm sure there are plenty of options for you to take when you think a company violates EU law. Safe Harbor got wrecked because a young fellow from Austria thought so and courts determined he was right.
- kuschku 9y ago
  Well, do you also remove the data from the backups, the backups of the backups, and any "probabilistic models generated from the data"? That’s the more interesting question.
rebuilder 9y ago
Where's the profit in keeping user data you can't openly use, and will get fined who know how much for keeping if caught?
brango 9y ago
GDPR will change that. Fines of up to 4% of global gross should make them adhere.

by thg 9y ago

flexie 9y ago

And that is why the burden of proof will soon be on the company, not the user, cf the data protection regulation

Filligree 9y ago

Well, I can't be sure about what the entire company is doing, but I've had an awful lot of code dealing with properly deleting accounts cross my inbox. If we're actually keeping data, then that'd be a shock to me.

nindalf 9y ago
Don't spoil the fun of the conspiracy theorists.
- quickben 9y ago
  Outside of the crazies, for the rest, ever considered that maybe you are just uninformed? Ten years ago, the ones telling people that agencies are storing everything by default, and Skype was bought/centralized to help with that were labeled as such. Nowdays it's "yea so"?
danieldk 9y ago
If we're actually keeping data, then that'd be a shock to me. So, why not just state in the terms of service that data is actually erased within N days/months after deletion? One could always list exceptions (such as business listings). Either Google cannot really guarantee that the data is deleted (due to its storage system); Google wants to reserve the right to retain some data in the future; or it is actually retaining some data. Otherwise, there is no point in putting this in your ToS. All three reasons are pretty worrisome. Also, what you say is provably false in a more general sense. Google retains all kinds of analytics/tracking data of internet users that you cannot have removed. When you visit a site with Google ads or analytics, Google is keeping data on you.
- mikejb 9y ago
  > Google is keeping data on you. IIUC that is anonymized data. The whole point then is that it cannot be associated to your account, i.e. cannot be removed when you delete your account. Otherwise, there's a shit-ton of law and regulations around this issue. I'm sure there are plenty of options for you to take when you think a company violates EU law. Safe Harbor got wrecked because a young fellow from Austria thought so and courts determined he was right.
kuschku 9y ago
Well, do you also remove the data from the backups, the backups of the backups, and any "probabilistic models generated from the data"? That’s the more interesting question.

rebuilder 9y ago

Where's the profit in keeping user data you can't openly use, and will get fined who know how much for keeping if caught?

brango 9y ago

GDPR will change that. Fines of up to 4% of global gross should make them adhere.