Google Bug On Document Sharing Highlights Communication Problems

from the that-doesn't-seem-right dept

Tue, Dec 1st 2009 3:42pm — Mike Masnick

Hopefully this is just a big mistake, but Slashdot points us to a bunch of Google Docs users complaining that Google is blocking them from sharing their documents claiming "inappropriate content," even in cases where the content is clearly fine, such as college class notes and homework assignments. Even assuming this is just some sort of bug, the bigger issue seems to be Google's lack of response, despite the issue cropping up weeks ago. This charge has been raised about Google in the past, and it's only going to become more important. As more and more people rely on Google for services, the company is going to need to improve its handling of customer service issues and communication.

Filed Under: cloud computing, communications, google docs, inappropriate content, sharing
Companies: google

7 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Richard (profile), 1 Dec 2009 @ 3:57pm

Why not
Just use dropbox if all you want to do is share it within your own circle.

Dropbox tos says that they actually can't look at your files.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 1 Dec 2009 @ 6:04pm

Live by the Cloud, die by the Cloud
I suppose this was inevitable.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Monarch (profile), 1 Dec 2009 @ 7:26pm

Google improving their customer service? No, Google is NOW a public corporation run by a board. They basically gave up on the "Do no evil" Mantra years ago. Customer service has and will always SUXORS with Google.

I still think Google offers some of the best products for what is done online, but I take every product offering they have with a grain of salt.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Dave, 1 Dec 2009 @ 7:51pm

Google has customer service? First I've heard of that. They do good stuff but man, do they suck out loud.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Benjie, 1 Dec 2009 @ 7:59pm

Google
Google is like a compilation of pet projects from some of the best minds out there. If someone else released free software, who much entitlement would you feel to quick responses?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2009 @ 8:26pm
  
  Re: Google
  Google is like a compilation of pet projects from some of the best minds out there.
  
  So? Lots of companies hire smart people. That doesn't excuse their failures.
  
  If someone else released free software, who much entitlement would you feel to quick responses?
  
  If I offered you a free ride in my car and I then negligently caused an accident that left you crippled, would you feel entitled to complain?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
santiagocrespo (profile), 2 Dec 2009 @ 5:59am

IP Police
Google is acting as Intellectual Property and Moral police on more and more products, this would be akin to MS Word telling me I can't save a document with the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody for my son to take to school with him. How long before our e-mails start becoming "inapropriate content"?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]