Ask HN: Why does Google word privacy settings like you agree even when off?

Has 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.

I'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".

I 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.

this 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.

Why 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.

> 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-..."

Because they switched to being evil?

So that you accidentally agree due to being confused. It was deliberately worded that way.

Google 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.

I 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.

Because assault culture is alive and well at Google and they’d like to gaslight you into consent.

Because they don't make money if you have decent privacy settings.

At 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

Based 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