Hi Dennis - I’m no lawyer either, for sure. And I don’t want to unreservedly vouch for Google’s corporate morals. But I think the key part of Google’s ToS noted above is: “…for the sole purpose of enabling Google to provide you with the Service in accordance with its Privacy Policy”. Looks to me that they’re basically saying: “we need to copy, move around, store, transmit and otherwise manipulate your content as part of delivering the Apps functionality, so you’re giving us permission to do that”. About how others can/can’t get access your content, they point to their Privacy Policy, which basically says: “You (not Google) decide who can/can’t get access to your content. And you can delete it from Google servers when you cancel the service.” Sounds pretty standard - not nefarious - to me.

But, having said that, should Google do MORE to assure customers about content privacy? It’s pretty clear, and our friendly debate about what Google’s policy really is demonstrates, that they ABSOLUTELY SHOULD clarify what their real policy and behavior is. And they probably need to consider changing it, to err more on the side of customer comfort, and less on the side of Google legal CYA.

Hey Frank - good to see you here. I wanted to comment at your place but found a login wall. If I’m not clear then I apologize. I don’t say Google is playing in a nefarious manner - partners tell me they are surprisingly (compared to others), easy to work alongside. But I do say that business has to trust its providers in the round.

What you’re highlighting is exactly the kind of inconsistency that gives me a headache when thinking about what to say to the business considering the Google option.

On the question of what they could/should do, I doubt we have any disagreement.