ITS updates: M+Box shared accounts; changes to Google TOS won't affect UMICH accounts

October 22, 2013

M+Box now offers shared accounts

UM-Dearborn ITS
The University's M+Box cloud storage service recently expanded to include shared accounts. They offer 200GB quotas and are available at no cost to departments or other groups that need collaborative storage.

The accounts allow files to be stored and shared between multiple owners, and data remains assigned to that function even when individuals move on. Shared M+Box accounts are set up with a standard folder, and co-owners can access the files from their personal M+Box accounts. This avoids the requirement for a separate login. Each co-owner can add files to the shared accounts that are applied against the 200GB quota, rather than their personal 50GB quota.

Learn more or request a shared account at U-M's M+Box website.

Changes to Google terms of service won’t affect UMICH accounts
Google recently announced changes to its Consumer Terms of Service (TOS) that are scheduled to go live on November 11, 2013.  However, they do not affect Google Apps for Education users, including anyone logged in under their UMICH account.

The TOS changes affect how your Google Profile name and photos might be handled after interacting with other Google services. One of the changes includes “shared endorsements,” which display consumer reviews or ratings from your Google friends and could cause your Profile name and photos to appear in shared endorsements that Google displays in ads. These changes may affect any personal Google accounts that you maintain separately from the university’s M+Google.

Although you might see messaging throughout M+Google about the Terms of Service updates, Google has informed the university that the changes will not be available to Google Apps users until a later date. In addition, once they do become available, they will be optional and controlled by U-M’s Google system administrators, who can prevent UMICH users from appearing in shared endorsements on Google ads.  The default setting will be “Off” and there are no plans to turn this option on at U-M.