We all love how Google Drive simplifies our lives, whether it’s storing files, sharing photos, or collaborating on documents. But with all the data you upload and tie to your Google account, it’s important to take a few minutes to review your privacy settings.
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Restrict file and folder sharing
Lock down who can access your shared files and folders
Google Drive makes collaboration easy, but if you frequently set files and folders to “anyone with the link” just to save a few clicks, you might be inviting uninvited viewers. Anyone who gets hold of that link could view, or even download, your documents without you ever knowing.
To avoid this, it’s a good idea to review the sharing settings for your most important files and folders. Look for the little people icon next to the file or folder name. To check exactly how a Google Drive file is shared, right-click it and select File Information > Details. From there, click the Manage Access button and change the access setting to Restricted if needed.
Even when sharing with people you trust, it’s best to double-check if you want to allow them to change permissions or download the file. A quick review can prevent accidental leaks and give you peace of mind that your documents are only seen by the people you choose.
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Audit “Shared with me” files
Make sure anything incoming is clean and safe
It’s not just about the files you share. The files others share with you can also pose risks. Files that appear in your Shared with me folder may not necessarily be safe. Cybercriminals often target this space to send malicious documents or phishing files disguised as spreadsheets, PDFs, or Google Docs.
It’s a good habit to periodically go through your Shared with me folder. While doing that, look out for anything unexpected or from unfamiliar senders. If something seems suspicious, right-click it and choose Remove to keep it out of your workspace.
Unfortunately, Google Drive doesn’t provide a way to completely prevent others from sharing files with you. However, if someone continues to send unwanted files, you can block that user on Google Drive. Right-click a file they shared, select Report or block, and then Block [email ID].
This will prevent that user from sharing more files with you. Regularly auditing your Shared with me folder also makes it easier to find the files you actually need.
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Manage Workspace smart feature settings
Smart and AI features can accidentally expose your data
Google Workspace’s smart features are designed to make your life easier by personalizing your experience across apps like Gmail, Gemini, Google Search, and more. For example, this allows events from your Gmail to automatically appear in Calendar, which is convenient.
However, Google can also use this data outside of Workspace apps, in services like Maps, Wallet, and others. This means your activity in one app can influence suggestions in another. This might feel a bit too personal if you’re someone who values privacy. Interestingly, in countries like the UK, Japan, and Switzerland, these smart features are disabled by default.
If you are not in one of these countries, you can take control manually. Go to Google Drive Settings > Privacy > Manage Workspace Smart Features Settings and turn off Smart Features in Other Google Products. Then, hit Save. Doing this prevents your activity in Drive from influencing recommendations in other Google apps while still letting you enjoy core Workspace functionality.
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Review third-party app access
Third-party apps can scoop up more data than you realize
Over the years, you may have granted various third-party apps access to your Google Drive. This often allows them to access all kinds of content on your account. In most cases, this isn’t a problem, as long as the app is trustworthy and actively maintained.
Still, it’s a good idea to revoke access for apps you no longer use. An app you approved years ago may have changed ownership, weakened its security, or become a target for malicious activity. There’s always a chance that forgotten connections like these could be exploited, which might put your data at risk.
To protect your privacy, you should regularly audit which apps have access to your Drive. Start on the Google Drive homepage by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner and selecting Settings. Then choose the Manage Apps tab from the left sidebar and review each app carefully. The Use by default box means the app is configured to open the compatible files from your Drive, such as loading JPEGs into a photo editor.
For apps you no longer want, click Options and select Disconnect from Drive > Disconnect. You may also notice deleted apps listed with “hidden app data.” For those apps, choose Delete hidden app data to remove leftover files. Doing this every few weeks will ensure that only trusted apps can access your Drive.
Even with all the privacy tweaks in the world, it’s important to remember that Google Drive isn’t built for storing or sharing highly sensitive information. Storing personal photos and regular files is fine, but not for anything truly private, such as financial documents, personal IDs, or confidential work files. There are better cloud storage services that are designed with privacy as a top priority.