Google Drive allows users to store any files they want but the cloud hosting service actively prevents users from sharing or distributing copyrighted files. While Google doesn’t go into the finer details of its detection methods, it uses file-hashes to detect infringing content.
But Google Drive has a way of detecting copyrighted material and blocking users from sharing them. After getting a tip from a reader who received an error message when they tried to share a Google Drive link of a Hollywood movie, Torrenk. Freak delved deeper into the issue.
One of the next things we asked ourselves was, is it risky to store copyrighted material in Google Drive?
I’d say: no, it is not risky as long as you don’t share it – copyright holder doesn’t know what you store in your GD so he can’t report infringement. So If I buy something from amazon, put into Drive and then share that I’m basically flagging myself for anything in the law book?
Do you claim ownership of my content in Google Drive?
We do not claim ownership in any of your content, including any text, data, information, and files that you upload, share, or store in your Drive account.
Can Google Drive files be read by engineers?
As with all user data stored at Google, Drive files are locked down so completely that only a very small number of engineers have technical means to read them. We’ve built systems to prevent even these engineers from accessing these files without generating an audit trail of their actions that they will have to account for.
What is Google Drive and how does it work?
Google Drive allows you to upload, submit, store, send and receive content. As described in the Google Terms of Service, your content remains yours. We do not claim ownership in any of your content, including any text, data, information, and files that you upload, share, or store in your Drive account.
How does Google read your files?
Google said that it does not technically read files, but instead uses an automated system of pattern matching to scan for indicators of abuse. Though it can identify clusters of data that might suggest a violation, the system does not pull meaning from the content, according to a company spokesperson.