Recently, I've been getting a lot of spam notifications from Google Drive. Here's a sample:
The notifications come direct to my Android phone via the Drive app - they don't appear in my Gmail spam folder. There is no way to report the abuse.
If I go to the list of notification in the Android apps, there's no option to report that the notification is spam.
If I'm stupid enough to open the spam file, there is a context menu but - again - no way to report spam.
What about the detail pane? That'll have something, surely?
Nope! Nothing.
Let me be me clear, just as Zawinski's law says "Every program attempts to expand until it can read mail" - so every Google app expands to be a vector for spam.
There's also no way to report the spam from the web version of Drive. The notifications simply don't appear there.
In typical Google fashion, there's no support forthcoming for users who are inundated with these messages. So the poor users howl into the void - desperate for Google to respond. But all Google will do is spout platitudes.
Replying to @factssweeti@welderswife638 Hi there. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
Replying to @balkissoon@balkissoon Hi, Denise. We know this is a serious issue and we're working to improve our spam detection and prevention.
Replying to @GamingDaveUK@GamingDaveUK Hi, David. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
CAN PORN BOTS STOP SENDING ME SHIT ON GOOGLE DRIVE pic.x.com/l6swr4ybfw
Replying to @spicytm@_spicytm Hi there. If you don't want to get file shares from someone in Google Drive, you can block them. If you use Google Drive for work or school, you can’t block someone in your domain. Learn more here: goo.gle/2VnV3rp. Hope this helps!
Replying to @UnicornReviews@UnicornReviews Hi there. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through. Hope we helped.
@s3v3nnds1nn Hi there. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
Replying to @jackjt8@jackjt8 Hi again, Jack. Let's connect you with our Support Team for help. Follow the link to get some help: goo.gl/LcAuFy. Keep us posted!
Replying to @googledrive@googledrive can you please implement an option to prevent File sharing from "everyone"? I'm sick of these spam files being shared to me.
I want file sharing from only Friends. Not anyone who managed to get ahold of my Email. pic.x.com/0yvayoemto
Replying to @Moist_Gameplays@Moist_Gameplays Hi there. You can block users in several different ways. Find out more in our article here: goo.gle/2VnV3rp. I hope this help!
This shit is starting to get ridiculous.
Google Drive now???? Really. pic.x.com/zwxjpdtvje
Replying to @MightyMack03@MightyMack03 Hi, Noah. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
Replying to @dweekly@dweekly Hi, David. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
Tedious, isn't it?
You will notice that all the links point to sites which don't actually help! When people ask Google how they report spam - Google are utterly silent.
Replying to @PopCultured4@PopCultured4 Hi there. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
Replying to @googledrive@googledrive My question is HOW to do this via Android phone/app?
Replying to @jhill641@jhill641 Hi, Joe. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
Replying to @googledrive@googledrive In the link I only see a way to report the file on desktop is there no way to report the file on the android app ? I sent feedback to Google but I don't see a way to report the file on mobile pic.x.com/dyt9rw11ds
Replying to @jeffvenuti@jeffvenuti Hi, Jeff. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
Replying to @googledrive@googledrive I get the notification on my phone but I don't see them pop up in my Drive. How do I report them from just the notification? Or is there a folder I'm not seeing in my drive with all of them?
Replying to @sarahradz_@sarahradz_ Hi, Sarah. Please report the files to remove them and help train our systems (goo.gle/2SwoC6B). We are constantly working to make our detection better and give users more options for managing the spam that sneaks through.
Replying to @googledrive@googledrive I cant report them unless I click on them. I see the notifications but can't see them in my drive
I think it is clear that Google have lost control of their platforms. There is no central authority in Google who is in charge of ensuring a consistent and pleasant user experience. Their customer service agents aren't empowered to actually help users - nor can they escalate emergent issues to management.
As an abusive monopoly, there's very little incentive for Google to fix this.
So, like a mug, I'm attempting to catch the passing eye of some Google employee who can raise this internally.
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@edent says:
How to Report This Google Drive Spam | Matthew Miner's Blog said on :
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