mcc

This has happened to me at least 3 times with Google.

- They offer a free service.
- I sign up for the free service.
- A couple years later, they say to continue with the free service you must now do something I don't want to, like pay monthly or agree to put my home address publicly on the Android store.
- I decline, and my account on the service is deleted.
- For literally the next 15 years, I periodically get inscrutable emails about service changes or minor pricing changes in Bhutan

Mar 10 at 11:29pmWeb
Show threadmccMar 10
Like, as a software and web developer. I would prefer if possible to serve the Bhutanese community in a useful way. Just because it's a small country doesn't mean it's not important. If I found out there were a language or localization issue in an app I wrote impacting only Bhutan, I'd fix it even if it helped only a single user. But finding out that sales tax will now be collected, or not collected, in Bhutan, for my published Android apps. Even if I had an app. It wouldn't impact my behavior.
Show threadGod Is LoveMar 10
@mcc that's awful
Show threadIcewindMar 10
@mcc
They keep mailing me about billing issues (expired CC) for an account that has been unused for 10+ years (and without open invoices).
Show threadallisonMar 10
@mcc seen in this way, google is a machine for turning useful software into pricing changes
Show threadmccMar 10

@aparrish "A system is what it does"

"But this system doesn't do anything"

"😐"

Show threadPossumanthaMar 11
@mcc @aparrish systemn't
Show threadSpace ParasiteMar 11
@mcc @aparrish
Show threadbobMar 10
@mcc the best one of these was custom domains for gmail. they rebranded that feature as "Apps for My Domain", then merged it with google apps, then merged that with google workspace, then eliminated the workspace free tier. so if you ever used that feature and you didn't subscribe to Workspace when you try to use any google service (except for youtube) you get this
Show threadJón FrímannMar 10
@mcc Google did this with Google reCAPTCHA. Moved it from free to priced cloud service. I stopped using them.
Show threadIrenes (many)Mar 11
@mcc with any other company we'd say report it as spam because that does materially hurt them, but google is likely above that
Show threadRyan FinnieMar 11
@mcc I've been an "Amazon Associate" since circa 2010, which I tried embedding in some sites at the time. Never made a referral sale. No idea how to cancel, but every few weeks they email me about an exciting TOS update or to admonish me for not having a payment method on file.
Show threadSpaceLifeFormMar 11

@mcc

If it is free, you are the product.

Show threadmccMar 11
@SpaceLifeForm True, however it's worth remembering that even if you are paying you sometimes find out you are the product
Show threadSpaceLifeFormMar 11

@mcc

That is why you earn 2 years of free credit monitoring. ./s

Show threadKlara in the hidden landMar 11

@mcc Oh, yeah, I tested out AWS for a job interview once (I don't think one that even led to anything in-person) and now I'm forever on the mailing list for subtle changes in payment flows or somesuch.

I have never actually used AWS for anything and hope I never have to.

Show threadFrutigerMar 11
@mcc Gosh im so happy i quit that shit long ago