If you do use a shared device, you should be using your own user profile on that device. Or, at least, your own browser profile.
You really shouldn't be logging into your sensitive accounts from a public device or computer anyway. Unchecking "remember me" will not make that secure, and to suggest otherwise is a bit misleading.
Plenty of people use shared computer, especially in environments with low financial resources (ie people in developing economies, low income families in developed countries, etc). This accounts for hundreds of millions of not billions of people in the world
It's unrealistic to expect all these people to have a non-shared computer to use, and unrealistic to imagine the shared computer to be set up by someone tech savvy enough to create separate profiles for people.
If I were to pick a random library or local school in South America or Asia for example, I would bet they have a shared computer where you just sit down at a logged in windows profile
I don’t really buy this. The tech kid in the village will explain that if abla doesn’t want nene to see her mail every time then abla should use the “new private window” button when she turns on the computer.
There’s no “basic human instinct” to be able to log into mail which this change goes against. Everyone had to be taught how to open the browser in the first place. The instructions have simply changed.
Temporary session are a weak, half-arsed solution. The author of the post is complaining because they're what he's used to, not because they're actually useful.
This kind of functionality is required, for at least one reason: public access to computers in public libraries. So long as some government services can only be accessed online, you will need access to private email accounts from publicly available computers.
Logout after session end is quite useful in that situation, even if only as a backup to manually logging out.
There is also browser ingonito mode that works perfect for this use.
1) Privacy: I have multiple accounts. I don't always want these linked to each other either. This is not only multiple Google accounts (personal and work) but also this leaks data since Google knows more about what accounts I have.
2) Security: Just because it is my computer doesn't mean it is always safe. I don't want someone to be able to login to other services just because I'm logged into one. This is akin to being logged into your password manager but with less control since you can't login to a site you need and logout of your manager. Security is often about creating barriers.
3) Centralization: power/influence grows faster than linear with respect to control. Or we may refer to this as momentum. We don't want Google, or anyone, to have control over something so important like the internet. The distribution is essential. While centralization can be good, too much can stifle innovation. That's the whole problem with monopolies (which don't need to have absolute control, but just significant).
4) Personal control: It is my computer, my data, and my accounts. Your services should be making things easier but also expand the amount of control that we have. Creating walled gardens goes back to 3. Potentially this can even create fissures. Having personal control also helps innovation. Being able to play around lets people find new ways to do new things.
1) Most people do not have multiple accounts, or at least do not care about those accounts being linked. And if you are in that situation, then you are (hopefully!) already being methodical about signing out and clearing cookies (or using a separate browser profile, private browsing, whatever). And if you aren't being methodical about this, eventually you are going to screw up anyway, no matter what the login flow or session timeout is.
2) Again, if you are worried about this attack vector (and, also again, most people probably are not), then you should be methodical about immediately signing out and clearing cookies when you are finished doing whatever you are doing. Also again, if you are not doing this, eventually you are going to forget, and succumb to an attacker.
3) Absolutely agree, but I don't see what this has to do with the persistent login issue.
4) It is indeed your computer and your data, but it is not "your" account. It is access to a remote computer system that someone else has granted you, and it is perfectly within their rights to decide how that access works. You may not like it, and that's fine: you are perfectly free to use a different service[0]. I think there are many reasons to claim that Google is a monopoly in some area or another, and that opting out of Google isn't feasible for some people, but "I don't like the login flow" is certainly not one of those reasons.
[0] Earlier this year I dropped GMail and moved my mail elsewhere, and I stopped using Google search several years ago. I've also stopped using Google's OAuth service to sign into other third-party websites, and have switched to regular email+password for any sites where I'd already signed up for an account using my Google Account. I'm working on weaning myself off of some of Google's other services, but I will admit this takes time and effort, and I'm not always up for the work involved. But that's on me, not on Google.
2) Again, security practices should simplify not complexify. More complexity less security. Why force this on people? Why victim blame? Try to make fewer victims, not more.
3) Because Google (and others) are using this login method as a means of centralization and standardization. As you are breaking away from Google you're probably seeing that it isn't trivial and that there are a lot of things you lose because of it (despite HN users often saying roll your own email or saying that email is very decentralized). I would argue that Google has some blame for the difficulties to wean yourself off of them. They created a platform with the explicit intent to make it burdensome to leave. That's not ensuring competition is abundant within our communities. (3 is all big picture stuff but this does matter. I have examples if you care)
4) I get your point, but I think there's a middle ground. The bigger problem is that it is difficult to use other services. There are also websites that don't allow me to log in through any other means. (I only use the Google sign-on for a singular website which does this).
I do not feel it is okay to just dismiss these issues outright. I have the right to criticize the framework. You have the right to disagree. Google has the right to ignore my complaints/critiques. But you're not really disagreeing with my comments so much as dismissing them. Effective communication does require us to discuss in good faith with one another.
However, Google doesn't give a shit about your consent. Whether you like it or not your device information will be tracked along with your account information and they don't even need you to ever signin to begin with either.
This isn't about security, it's about liability on Google's end. But from a security perspective, many users have shares computers at their homes (and even at work) and that isn't a situation they can avoid. Even with different user profiles having the right permission means your browser profile can be accessed by someone else. Oh, and guess what? Even in america poor people use shared computers at libraries and schools and they sometimes forget to sign out of the OS account profile after closing the browser.
Not sure if any browser has such an option.
And it is sad that's an outdated concept.
When switching Google accounts you’ll probably don’t want it to have permanent logging cookies, especially if you’re in a pinch and not in the appropriate context (e.g. looking at your family mail from your work computer to quickly get an important message)
Putting the data management responsibility on the user is kind of a dick move, at the same level as all the opt-out garbage we have to deal with.
Many others do not have a device of their own at all.
I think they should be able to access their email.