[deadgiveaway]

I don't think there's a "line of thought". This isn't a logic problem - it's a business decision. Whatever Google wants to happen will happens. And some people have interpreted the available information - or have spoken to google representatives - and been told that they'll be able to keep using "additional" services such as music, movies, youtube, photos. And - this being google - other people have been told the opposite.

[autumnbuzz]

The offical FAQ has been updated with this:

"What happens to my additional Google services and paid content if I don’t want to pay for Google Workspace premium features?

If you don’t upgrade to a Google Workspace subscription, you will not lose access to other Google Services, including YouTube, Google Photos, and Google Play, nor paid content, including YouTube and Play Store purchases."

https://support.google.com/a/answer/60217?hl=en#zippy=%2Cwha...

[DreamFlasher]

Thank you! Seems like they sometimes listen afterall. They now also added: "In the coming months, we'll provide an option for you to move your non-Google Workspace paid content and most of your data to a no-cost option. This new option won't include premium features like custom email or multi-account management. You'll be able to evaluate this option prior to July 1, 2022 and prior to account suspension. We'll update this article with details in the coming months."

[deadgiveaway]

They've added yet another section to that FAQ: "possibly maybe let's see what we can do because I like your face sir" they might do something with up to ten users:

https://9to5google.com/2022/01/26/g-suite-legacy-free-person...

As you'd expect from Google it's vague and unfinished - what happens to the other users you don't choose to save, or perhaps you have to delete all but 10 users, and what happens to those 10 users anyway.

Tune in again in a few days and see what else has changed on that FAQ, or search for news articles about this process because they sure as hell aren't going to email you about it.

They can't even kill services properly any more!

[deadgiveaway]

Thanks for that. They really could have put this simple statement up at the start and avoided a lot of bad press.

Also, they could have told their stuff who've been fielding questions online about this change online; it might have stopped a few of them from telling people they'd be losing all their Photos, paid-for content etc.