The content you save on Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides is private to you, from others, unless you choose to share it. Learn how to share or stop sharing files in Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides. Google respects your privacy. We access your private content only when we have your permission or are required to by law.
Are Google Docs private by default?
All Google Docs are private by default. They only become public when you share them with others. You can share documents by right-clicking them and then selecting “Get shareable link”, which you can then email to people, or by selecting “Share” which will also show you who you’ve shard a document with.
Are google docs confidential?
Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentations are only as confidential as you choose them to be on the shared drive. If you want everyone to be able to access them, then you can do so. On the other hand, encryption is the only truly secure method of protecting the files.
Google Docs and Google Drive have a primary aim when it comes to its users: to facilitate productivity and collaboration between users. Therefore, these are its main concerns. Security comes secondary, as it wants to allow you to share your files and information.
Is Google Docs safe to store confidential files?
Google Docs isn’t the best place to store your confidential files if you’re not encrypting them. Although you’re unlikely to come in contact with a hacker, many users still fear the risk. If you’re only working with low-risk shared files, then it’s not too bad of a situation.
While most personal use will likely cover photos and notes, for businesses, Google Docs often means storing sensitive business information, intellectual property, client data and other important files. If the security of Google Drive or Docs were to be compromised in any way, it could result in serious damage for any business, small or large.
Can I Share my Google Docs document?
In explicit sharing mode, Google Docs requires each user who wants to access a document to have a Google Account. When you turn on link sharing in Google Docs, anyone with the URL of your document can access it—a very bad security practice!
Do you have to be the owner of a Google Doc?
You’ll need to be Owner or Editor of the document though. The files located in your My Drive that you uploaded or created yourself are, by default, accessible only to you. Even with GSuite on a corporate account, your administrator cannot access your files.
It’s easy to use if you have a group of people that need to use the shared document instead of continually administering link sharing and change who can access them. Much like all other versions of Google Drive and its tools, it’s relatively safe.
How can you access your confidential information on Google?
You can access the files from any device with your Google login information. If you lose your tablet, you can still check the files from a laptop or smartphone. This cross-device access makes it a massive benefit for people who want to work with their confidential information on the go. Google is always working on security improvements.