Google review: Google account

### Evidence of Abuse Risk Limits in Google's Systems

According to data from the Google Account Help Community, nearly 100 million Google users currently seek assistance for account recovery daily. Most users' posts are deleted, and none of them successfully recover their accounts. This situation highlights significant abuse risk limits within Google's systems.

#### Additional Evidence of Abuse Risk Limits

On June 7, 2024, I received a notification from Google stating that if I couldn't verify my identity, I would not be able to complete sensitive actions for 7 days, after which I could access them without verification. After waiting 7 days, I attempted to log in but received a different message:
"We noticed unusual activity in your Google Account. To keep your account safe, you were signed out. To continue, you’ll need to verify it’s you."
This contradictory experience highlights several critical issues:
1. **Inconsistent Verification Processes:** Google's system initially promises access after a 7-day waiting period without verification but continues to demand verification due to supposed unusual activity, indicating a lack of clarity or adherence to stated policies.
2. **Potential Delay in Account Access:** Users may experience extended periods without access due to conflicting messages regarding verification requirements, potentially impacting their ability to use essential services.
3. **Trust and Transparency Concerns:** The contradictory messages erode user trust in Google's security protocols, highlighting a need for clearer communication and adherence to stated security policies.

#### Reasons why the account cannot be verified

1. When attempting to log in, the system prompts:
"You didn’t provide enough info for Google to be sure this account is really yours. Google asks for this info to keep your account secure. If possible, when signing in:
- Use a device where you’ve signed in before
- Use a familiar Wi-Fi network, such as at home or work."
I confirm that I am currently using devices, Wi-Fi networks, and browsers that I have used to log in to this account previously, but the system fails to recognize them.
2. The recovery email address associated with this account is currently unable to receive emails from Google systems.
3. I have attempted to seek assistance on the Google Account Help Community ([https://support.google.com/accounts/community?hl=en](https://support.google.com/accounts/community?hl=en)), but the community does not provide effective help and only deletes posts.

### Legal and Ethical Arguments Against Google's Abuse of Risk Restrictions

#### Legal Basis
1. **Antitrust and Competition Laws:**
- **Dominant Market Position:** Google holds a dominant position in the search engine and online advertising markets. Its vast user base, estimated at over 3 billion users of free services, contributes significantly to its advertising revenue. Antitrust laws prohibit monopolistic practices that harm consumers, including unfair treatment of users.
- **Equal Consumer Rights:** Given their substantial contribution to Google's advertising revenue, the 3 billion free users should enjoy the same consumer rights as paying customers. Denying them equal treatment in account recovery and security measures can be construed as an abuse of Google's dominant market position, violating principles of fair competition and consumer protection.
2. **Data Protection and Privacy Laws:**
- **General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):** Google operates in jurisdictions covered by GDPR, which mandates transparent and fair processing of personal data. Inconsistent account verification processes may violate GDPR principles, especially concerning data security and user rights to access and control their personal information.

#### Ethical Basis
1. **Critical Contribution of Free Users to Revenue:**
- Google's advertising revenue heavily relies on its vast user base, particularly the 3 billion users of free services. These users generate substantial ad revenue for Google. Treating all users fairly and providing robust security measures is essential because their collective usage directly contributes to Google's financial success.
2. **Fair Treatment:**
- Ethically, Google should uphold principles of fairness and transparency. All users, regardless of whether they pay for services, deserve clear communication and consistent account recovery procedures.

### Conclusion

The evidence of abuse risk limits within Google's systems, supported by compelling legal and ethical arguments, underscores the urgent need for Google to address these issues promptly. By implementing consistent verification processes, enhancing transparency, and respecting user rights, Google can mitigate legal risks, uphold ethical standards, and maintain the trust of its extensive user base.