What should you not store in Google Drive?
Asked by: Prof. Augusta Stanton | Last update: March 1, 2026Score: 5/5 (65 votes)
You should not store ultra-sensitive data (like Social Security numbers, bank details), illegal content, malware, or private, non-consensual images in Google Drive, nor should you use it as a primary, unsupervised backup for critical data, as human error (accidental deletion) or unauthorized access poses risks, especially without extra encryption for highly confidential files.
What not to store in Google Drive?
You cannot store illegal, harmful, harassing, or malicious content on Google Drive, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), hate speech, malware, phishing attempts, extreme violence/gore, non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), and copyrighted material you don't own. Prohibited activities also include account hijacking, spam, fraud, and violating privacy by sharing private information without consent, with restrictions often placed on file sharing, downloading, or printing for policy-violating content.
Is it safe to store everything on Google Drive?
Store your content securely
When you upload a file of any type to Google Drive, it is stored securely in our world-class data centers. Data is encrypted in-transit and at-rest. If you choose to access these files offline, we store this info on your device.
Do photos stay on Google Drive if deleted from phone?
Yes, if you delete photos within the Google Photos app and they are backed up, they get deleted from your phone AND Google Drive/cloud; but if you use your phone's native gallery app or file manager to delete them, they usually stay in Google Photos (unless it's a syncing gallery app), but the safest way to free up space is the "Free up space" feature in the Google Photos app, which only removes backed-up photos from your device.
What are the downsides of Google Drive?
Google Drive's main disadvantages include privacy concerns due to Google scanning files, reliance on internet for full functionality, limited free storage shared across services, potential security risks from accidental oversharing, and slower speeds with large file transfers, making it less ideal for complex enterprise document management than dedicated systems.
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What is replacing Google Drive?
Top Google Drive alternatives include Dropbox for simple syncing, Microsoft OneDrive for Windows/M365 users, pCloud for lifetime plans and media, Sync.com or Proton Drive for privacy (zero-knowledge encryption), and Nextcloud for self-hosting and control, with others like Box for enterprise and iCloud for Apple users offering strong integration within their ecosystems.
Can Google Drive get hacked?
Three of the most common causes of Google Drive security breaches are: Phishing and social engineering attacks: Users may fall victim to phishing attempts, compromising their account security. User error: Human mistakes, such as accidental sharing or misconfigured permissions, can lead to unauthorized access to files.
Is Google Photos safe for storing photos?
Encryption keeps data private and secure while in transit. When you store your photos, the data you create moves between your device, Google services and our data centres. We protect this data with multiple layers of security, including leading encryption technology like HTTPS and encryption at rest.
Where can I store my photos to free up space?
To free up space, store photos in the cloud (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive) for easy access and backup, or use an external hard drive for offline storage; services like Google Photos and iCloud allow you to automatically upload and then delete local copies from your device. For local space, use cloud features like "Optimize iPhone Storage" or Dropbox's "online-only" files to keep thumbnails on your device but originals in the cloud.
How long do deleted photos stay in Google Drive?
If you delete a photo or video that's backed up in Google Photos, it will stay in your trash for 60 days.
What should I store in Google Drive?
Supported file types
- Archive files (.ZIP, .RAR, tar, gzip)
- Audio formats (MP3, MPEG, WAV, .ogg, .opus)
- Image files (.JPEG, .PNG, .GIF, .BMP, .TIFF, .SVG)
- Markup/Code (.CSS, .HTML, .PHP, .C, .CPP, .H, .HPP, .JS, .java, .py)
- Text files (.TXT)
- Video files (WebM, .MPEG4, .3GPP, .MOV, .AVI, .MPEGPS, .WMV, .FLV, .ogg)
Is it safe to store tax documents on Google Drive?
Cloud storage has become the norm, and Schulte says it's safe to store tax documents there as long as you're using a reputable service that uses encryption to scramble data. Options include Apple iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox. “All offer multi-factor authentication, so make sure you use it,” Schulte advises.
Can anyone view my Google Drive files?
Only you, people with your login information, and specific Google employees can see the file or folder. Shared. You can give individual people permission to view the file or folder, but they can only see the file or the folder's contents and nothing else on your Google Drive.
What is the safest way to store private photos?
The Locked Folder is designed to be private and not shared. If you want to share a photo or video stored in Locked Folder, you must first move it out of the folder. Locked Folder is protected by Google Photos' standard encryption practices. Learn how Google Photos keeps your data private & secure.
What is safer than Google Drive?
Key takeaways: Best Google Drive alternatives at a glance
- Lark: Best for unified file storage and team collaboration
- Dropbox: Best for simple cloud storage and fast syncing
- Microsoft OneDrive: Best for Windows and Microsoft 365 users
- Box: Best for enterprise-grade security and file governance
Is it better to store photos in Google Drive or Google Photos?
For personal photos and videos, Google Photos is generally better due to its automatic backup, AI organization (faces, places, objects), and easy sharing features, acting like a digital album. Use Google Drive for general file storage, documents, work projects, or when you need to manage photos as standard files within folders, especially for non-automatic backups or sharing raw files with specific people. Choose Photos for ease of viewing/searching memories, and Drive for versatile file management.
Where is the best place to store photos permanently?
- Best for Amazon Prime Subscribers. Amazon Photos. Visit Site at Amazon. ...
- Best for iPhone Users. Apple iCloud Photos. Visit Site at iCloud. ...
- Best for Photo Sharing Community. Flickr. Visit Site at Flickr. ...
- Best for Privately Storing Photos on Your Devices. Mylio. Visit Site at Mylio Photos. ...
- Best for Pro Photographers. SmugMug.
When you delete photos from your phone do they delete from Google Photos?
Deleting photos from your phone's gallery usually won't delete them from Google Photos if they're backed up, as Google Photos keeps a cloud copy, but it depends on your settings; deleting from the Google Photos app itself often deletes both device and cloud copies unless you use "Free up space" first. To be safe and free up phone storage, use the "Free up space" feature in the Google Photos app to remove backed-up photos from your device.
How many GB is 1000 photos?
1000 photos can take up anywhere from under 1 GB to over 20 GB, depending heavily on the image quality (megapixels) and file type (JPEG vs. RAW), with standard smartphone JPEGs often falling in the 2-7 GB range, while high-resolution or RAW files from professional cameras use much more space. For example, 1000 high-quality JPEGs might be 3-7 GB (3-7 MB each), but 1000 RAW files could be 20-30 GB or more.
Can anyone see my photos in Google Drive?
Your photos and files can only be accessed by you and the people you choose to share them with — not even we can see them. You can share photos and entire folders with anyone using email addresses or public links.
What is the safest way to backup photos?
The 3-2-1 backup rule is a well-established strategy for protecting your data. It involves keeping 3 copies of your data, storing these on 2 different types of media, and ensuring 1 copy is stored offsite. This method minimises the risk of data loss from hardware failure, theft, or natural disasters.
What is the disadvantage of Google Photos?
Google Photos disadvantages include privacy concerns (Google's data use), storage limits leading to paid plans, lack of folder structures (using albums instead), limited advanced editing/file management (no filenames, local adjustments), slow backups, and potential for account lockouts, making organization cumbersome despite AI features.
What are the negatives of Google Drive?
Google Drive's main disadvantages include privacy concerns due to Google scanning files, reliance on internet for full functionality, limited free storage shared across services, potential security risks from accidental oversharing, and slower speeds with large file transfers, making it less ideal for complex enterprise document management than dedicated systems.
Can you tell if someone has accessed your Google Drive?
You can see who accessed your Google Drive link if the file is a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide and you have a work/school account (Google Workspace) by checking the Activity dashboard, which shows viewers within your organization, or by seeing names when people are actively in the file, but for general consumer accounts, tracking anonymous link access is difficult; third-party tools or expiring links are alternatives.
What are the signs that your Google account is hacked?
To check if your Google account is hacked, look for signs like unfamiliar security alerts, missing or strange emails, changed passwords, or unrecognized device logins; use Google's Security Checkup (myaccount.google.com/security-checkup) to review recent activity, devices, and security settings, and follow the prompts to secure your account if you find anything suspicious.