Disclosure: I work at Google too and my opinions are also my own.
We are told internally that when we discuss Google related matters online that we should be cognizant of the what/where/how/why of our communication. Disclosing is—for me—both a reminder for myself and an attempt at a hedge against accidentally representing Google.
This seems really off to me. Mentioning that you work for Google only seems to introduce the risk that your words would be taken to represent Google. There’s a post in this thread where someone mentions they work for Google but fails to include the “opinions are my own” disclaimer.
The net of what you should be cognizant of when providing insider information on a product from your company or commenting on a topic it is heavily involved in is wider than the single issue you eagerly dredge up.
E.g. the last thing you want from your comment about using <new product> early internally are news articles about "What Google plans on doing with <new product>" when you were just trying to give your personal opinion on where the technology might go.
To echo this comment, zamadatix is exactly right; I need someone quoting me about a Google project as an official representative about as much as I need another hole in my head.
As to the greater point, I want to emphasize that as a human being I want to be careful with how I communicate with others because I care about them not feeling judged, dismissed, othered, or otherwise insulted. The charge that the rules keep changing is overblown; it’s always about respecting people even if you don’t understand or enjoy them.
I know that some might still equate that with “cancel culture” but I can’t help that (and tbh that’s a discussion that we should have over beers and not on the internet).
I never worked at Google and I probably never will. Still, if a boss tried to censor/alter my speech I do in my spare time using my own equipment and connectivity, I wouldn't like it.
This is literally every company in the entire world. How you talk about your own company is something you have to be mindful of because you are an agent of that company; the words you use and the way you react to things can tip investors off on how things are going internally. Do you think anyone wouldn't be mad at you if your company released a brand new product and you hopped onto Twitter to say it is complete garbage or something?
People often take statements from employees of companies as more authoritative than they are intended. If you are going to comment on something people are likely to make incorrect assumptions about and you know that, it makes sense to clarify that. In the case we're talking about here, it's better for both the employee and the employer.
We are told internally that when we discuss Google related matters online that we should be cognizant of the what/where/how/why of our communication. Disclosing is—for me—both a reminder for myself and an attempt at a hedge against accidentally representing Google.