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Ask HN: Why does Google word privacy settings like you agree even when off?
Found this confusing language in personal Gmail account update today.
The intro paragraph says "You agree to let Google Workspace use your Workspace content and activity to personalize your experience across Workspace". And only then they present with the options - whether to turn the special features on or off.
It reads like you're agreeing to the data use regardless of whether you actually enable the features. The detailed documentation suggests data is only used when features are enabled, but that opening sentence creates blanket consent language.
Is this intentionally misleading UX copy, or just sloppy writing that creates legal ambiguity?
- ipaddr 1y agoWhy does Google require you to hook up a phone to reset your gmail password? They want to trick/force you into doing something against your best interests.
- e40 1y agoI cannot find this Workspace settings. Can you give me a URL? Thanks! EDIT: a little confused. You talk about a personal gmail account, but then talk about Workspace, which is a paid service.
- deleted 1y ago[deleted]
- youngtaff 1y agoBased on other settings in Chrome, Android etc I think they’re written to be deliberately unclear All these things will have been through a legal review so I don’t think it’s carelessness
- watwut 1y agoSo that you accidentally agree due to being confused. It was deliberately worded that way.
- lproven 1y agoHas Anyone Really Been Far Even as Decided to Use Even Go Want to do Look More Like? Sorry for the jab but I couldn't decode the question here.
- IAmBroom 1y agoIgnore the downvotes. It wasn't a syntactic headline.
- MarkusQ 1y agoI had the same issue, which is somewhat ironic given the topic. Reading the body text and then revisiting the headline: "Why does Google word their privacy settings in a way that makes it sound like you are agreeing to let them harvest your data regardless of which option you select?"
- cwmoore 1y agoI understand it is confusing and obfuscated. “Default on, or opt-out” is not news.
- pluc 1y agoBecause they don't make money if you have decent privacy settings.
- bitwize 1y agoI'm reminded of video games where an NPC asks "Will you undertake this perilous quest?" or whatever, and the available responses are "Yes" and "Sure".
- comprev 1y ago"Yes" or "Ask me again later" is a common Microsoft pattern. "No" is not even an option.
- didgetmaster 1y agoAnd forget about ever hoping for a 'Never' option!
- bitwize 1y agoI get that when my work Mac wants to nag me about Apple Intelligence, which it does on every OS update.
- kotaKat 1y agoBecause assault culture is alive and well at Google and they’d like to gaslight you into consent.
- tt349292 1y ago> Google began by unilaterally declaring that the world wide web was its to take for its search engine. Surveillance capitalism originated in a second declaration that claimed our private experience for its revenues that flow from telling and selling our fortunes to other businesses. In both cases, it took without asking From "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism" -- source https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/20/shoshana-zuboff-age-of-surveillance-capitalism-google-facebook https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jan/20/shoshana-..."
- Havoc 1y agoAt this stage I have no idea what Google is or isn't using for what purpose. Which presumably is the point. Thankfully all my stuff is on own domains so will just move it to a more respectable provider
- _23sd 1y agoI can't see what you're talking about. In my account, in the General tab of Gmail settings on the web, under "Manage Workspace smart feature settings", I see a toggle for "Smart features in Google Workspace", followed by this paragraph: >When you turn this setting on, you agree to let Google Workspace use your Workspace content and activity to personalize your experience across Workspace. Workspace includes apps for businesses and schools, such as Gmail, Chat, Meet, Drive, and more. To learn more, visit the Workspace website. Smart features include: The setting for the listed features is above the "you agree to let Google Workspace use your Workspace content and activity to personalize your experience across Workspace" intro, not below. The setting below is for features in non-Workspace services.
- matesz 1y agoSo this appeared in a popup upon login. I could either select on or off and click next or stop using the site.
- weare138 1y agoGoogle has a long history of using dark patterns in their privacy settings to mislead users. There's a reason all the privacy settings for Google products are in scattered locations and have vague and ambiguous descriptions as to exactly what data is being gathered.
- Aeglaecia 1y agothis is presenting a question as an imperative, a known hypnotism/manipulation technique. in other words google is taking an optional choice and masking it in a commanding voice - unless your brain is actively and consciously questioning the input it is recieving , it is liable to process the command without question , and unthinkingly answer 'yes'. almost like an SQL injection, in that data can be interpreted as logic. this makes my stomach turn.
- snapplebobapple 1y agoBecause they switched to being evil?