 |
| Dreamstime |
At the beginning of the year I set up a new Gmail address that doesn't use any portion of my name for some volunteer work I'm doing.
Today I got an interesting email in that Inbox, which said that since Google couldn’t confirm I was an adult they had changed some account settings. Now:
- Explicit content, like pornography, wouldn't show up in my search results.
- Personalized ads had been turned off.
- The Timeline feature wouldn't automatically save my visits and routes.
I was actually okay with all of those changes, but I still felt like Google was 'nannying' me. If I didn't comply they would disable, and eventually delete my account. My messages about the group's business meetings and event planning would disappear, and the members of the group would have trouble contacting me.
There were three ways to prove I was an adult. I could give them an image of a government identification, use one of my credit cards, or take a selfie and share it.
I wasn't really okay with any of the options. If I used a government identification Google promised to delete it after the verification (what could go wrong there?). If I used a charge card they would make a small, temporary authorization charge (and then do what with the card number?). If I used a selfie they outsourced verification to a third-party company (and again, what could go wrong there?).
When I realized I could erase the actual number from a photo of my driver's license I decided to do that. After uploading the photo I was asked to verify my date of birth. Less than a minute later I received notification that everything had been verified.
Five years ago: Cusp Of Spring
I wouldn't care for that either but like always Kathy, you figured it all out and took the better option.
ReplyDeleteGlad you figured out what could work for you. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating. I wish more media companies actually verified age...I think about how Australia is trying to protect kids from social media and I applaud that but (as you explained well) there are just so many pitfalls and problematic issues, etc. Also, I love the way you made nanny a verb, lol. Hope you don't mind if I steal that, ha.
ReplyDeleteGo ahead and steal, because I did the same thing.
DeleteGreat! Now you can get back to searching Google for porn!
ReplyDelete😂
DeleteIt does seem that we are being coerced into becoming part of one great organisation - Big Brother, anyone?
ReplyDeleteI drag my heels over change I don't agree with, but the option to ignore many issues is getting harder and harder.
DeleteLife is getting more complicated with technology. I now find it difficult to get goose feathers for my quill. I always use a newly sharpened quill to push the buttons on my computer keyboard.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
You could come over here, where Canadian geese are everywhere.
DeleteGood idea to erase your DL number. Can't trust anyone anymore!
ReplyDeleteI figured everything else (date of birth, address, and photo) was already somewhere in the public record.
DeleteGood Grief. I think I would like to be a child again. Imagine, no personalized ads.
ReplyDeleteI actually have that option turned off in all my social media accounts.
DeleteIt really is kinda scary out there in the tech world. It's almost too difficult to tell if you are being scammed or if things are real. Glad you go things figured out.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the bad guys are getting harder to spot.
DeleteKathy, Victor's comment and your response to him made me laugh!!! Great response! :)
ReplyDeleteI am glad you were able to figure things out. Scary.
I'm glad you were able to get it fixed.
ReplyDeleteI would gladly try to convince email that I am a child if it means no more ads.That is a life hack.
ReplyDeleteHA!
DeleteCheck and make sure gmail didn't take over else anything on your computer. I set up a gmail once and it took over many of my other accounts. I used AOL instead.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen anything so far, but will keep an eye out for it.
DeleteSuch a great idea. Google doesn't need the licence number at all - and it worked.
ReplyDeleteI confess that I would just call my son and have him do it for me!
ReplyDeleteMy children are all so busy I try to limit my requests to them.
DeleteNothing says 'Welcome to 2026' quite like a tech giant threatening to delete your volunteer work unless you prove you aren't a child. At least you survived the verification process without having to resort to a selfie—that’s a win in my book! Hopefully, the 'nanny' stays in her corner from here on out
ReplyDeleteI think the 'mug shot' photo on my license was scary enough!
Delete