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@lauren Turns out this is documented: https://policies.google.com/technologies/retention?hl=en-US
"When you delete data in your Google account, we immediately start the process of removing it from the product and our systems.
...
Complete deletion of data from our servers is equally important for users’ peace of mind. This process generally takes around 2 months from the time of deletion."
This aligns with my memories of details I saw while working at YouTube.
@sbenting I've worked inside Google too, so I'm not ignorant of these issues, at least as of the last period when I was there. However, that's not what we're actually talking about in this case. That public policy doc is addressing what happens when a user makes an explicit deletion request, not how the backend is handling video routinely from the Nest cameras.
@lauren
Oh, I remember you being there, Lauren. I was just noting that because I expect deletion from any mechanism to use similar circumstances. I don't know the storage mechanism for Nest video but I'd be shocked if they were operating at scale with a different mechanism.
@sbenting I think the fundamental issue is transparency. I don't think it occurs to most users that when G pops a warning "you can't undo this" in relation to a deletion request it doesn't necessary mean that G can't undo it. But of course techies realize that there have to be backup mechanisms and such and there are public cases of, for example, a GAIA account or YT channel being deleted by accident and being able to be restored. And in the specific area of video processing there are all manner of slots along the pipeline where data could be routinely held for longer periods -- as I recall the YT pipelines were seriously nontrivial! I'm not saying any of the specific decisions in terms of actual data retention were wrong. My recollection of the specifics of those at G is that they seemed reasonable to me. But more of an issue is whether users understand retention and its implications, especially with a fascist federal government and compliant Big Tech.
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@lauren Sure -- all fair. I doubt that most folks understand that link exists at all. (I only know because there was a large-scale project that forced me to learn it.)
I agree that the details I understood about video storage all seemed reasonable for exactly the reasons you mention. (TBH, pipelines like the one my team managed didn't have this kind of lag, typically. The long-term storage system had these issues and I didn't work directly on that bit.)
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@lauren
There's a larger issue in that we have complex systems that will react in unpredictable ways that can hurt the broader population. I still don't know how to prepare that larger population of users for things I take for granted as a geek -- besides publicizing explanations like these.
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@lauren This is an unsurprising revelation. Even if it's just for legal "CYA" reasons, _of course_ they do.
@lauren Speculation I have heard is that because the doorbell was disabled and offline just after the pictures that we see online were taken that the normal roll over and delete events process that happens with Nest non Google Home Premium subscribers just didn't happen.
If you are a subscriber 72 hours(I think) are saved. Guthrie was not a subcriber.