Google is well aware this is a problem and actively obfuscates ways to get connected to support (unless you pay them extra, of course) so I have a real hard time accepting this as an "honest" mistake.
The lack of support, however, is not - and is part of Google’s business model.
Doing this will screw Google’s ability to optimize storage for identical files, which may drive up costs, but it’s the best way to ensure your data stays private.
Host locally and RENT backup servers in couple of places. Those cost peanuts and are highly reliable.
No one who works for a powerful entity likes admitting they are more or less powerless to daily statments they see on here.
It's like how anyone with tech awareness watches the goal posts keep moving.. Yes, I know alternatives and mitigation and ECT.
Power is a fickle mistress.
Is there any "grandparent friendly" way to do this today?
Additionally, making them accountable for these mistakes is a way to actually have them resolve them, so honest or not, it's likely to stop of decrease in occurrence then.