Google Drive misplaces months' worth of customer data (theregister.com)

Article summary

Google Drive users have reported that their files have disappeared, with some losing months' worth of data. The issue has been ongoing for a few days, and Google has not yet provided a solution. Users are advised not to make changes to their accounts while the issue is being investigated. The incident highlights the risks of relying on cloud storage for important data.

Main themes

• cloud storage risks
• data ownership
• terms of service
• user responsibility
• cloud provider liability
• data backup importance

What commenters say

• If a user's data is stored on a cloud service, it is not truly their data because the service can delete or lose it at any time.
• The terms of service for cloud storage providers like Google Drive mean that users give up some of their ownership rights to their data.
• Having a backup of one's data is crucial, as relying solely on a cloud service can lead to data loss.
• Cloud storage providers have a responsibility to protect users' data, and deleting or losing it without permission is a violation of that responsibility.
• The concept of ownership is complex and can be affected by the terms of service and the laws of the country in which the user resides.
• Users who pay for cloud storage services have a stronger claim to ownership of their data than those who use free services.
• The ability to seek legal recourse is an important factor in determining ownership, but it is not the only factor.
• The risks and consequences of relying on cloud storage must be carefully considered by users, especially those who store important or sensitive data.