Google Docs users have been hit with a nasty surprise today as they try to edit documents – they’re getting locked out of their drafts and receiving a message warning them that their documents violate Google’s terms of service.
Photo: AP
The abuse policy for Docs and other Google Drive services forbids users from publishing a range of content, from malware to hate speech to copyrighted material. But most of the users who have encountered the problem so far seem to be working on pretty innocuous content that wouldn’t violate Google’s policies, which indicates that this is probably a glitch.
Has anyone had @googledocs lock you out of a doc before? My draft of a story about wildlife crime was just frozen for violating their TOS.
— Rachael Bale (@Rachael_Bale) October 31, 2017
Working away happily on @googledocs with a response to reviewers. Suddenly: “This document is in violation of Terms of Service”. #WTF pic.twitter.com/o2pjoTTTWo
— Leighton Pumpkin ???? (@widdowquinn) October 31, 2017
google what is you doing pic.twitter.com/kIC4tZw71f
— CJ Ciaramella (@cjciaramella) October 31, 2017
DownDetector is currently reporting Google Drive problems in the US and Europe. It sounds like the Drive team isn’t sure what’s going on yet. “The team has been made aware and is investigating. Appreciate your patience,” Google Drive’s official account tweeted.
We understand your concern, James. The team has been made aware and is investigating. Appreciate your patience.
— Google Docs (@googledocs) October 31, 2017
A Google spokesperson said that the company is “investigating reports” of the Google Docs issue. “We will provide more information when appropriate,” the spokesperson said.