After Google made an announcement that its cloud storage service – Google Drive will ban the distribution of misleading content, a flurry of comments with speculation and synopsis has been doing rounds. Some strongly believe, under the garb of banning the distribution of misleading content Google is reading content uploaded by users to the Drive.
Is Google reading the content of files you upload to Google Drive?
Firstly, we should note that the decision taken is not about private files but its distributing content. Google doesn’t necessarily spy on its users’ private files but scans them when you share them publicly. For example, if someone keeps all the pirated movies, he/she wants on his/her Drive and gives private access to friends, Google will instantly restrict its access after scanning its contents. As such, this scheme doesn’t apply to your private files or privately shared documents – They are only acting only on complaints.
We need to curb abuses that threaten our ability to provide these services and we ask everyone abide by the policies to help us achieve our goal. After we are notified of a potential policy violation, we may review content and take action, including restricting access to content, removing the content and limiting or terminating user’s access to Google products, reads the Abuse Program Policies and Enforcement of Google Docs.
Secondly, it is worth pointing out that cyber-criminals make sincere efforts in keeping their communications secret instead of hosting them in plain text on the servers of tech giants like Google.
We agree, there’s no such thing as absolute free speech with no limits. However, a reputed search giant like Google can’t go that far (reading your private files) in preventing misinformation. The maximum they can do is disallow things that could have a direct bearing on the democratic setup.
What’s your take on the story? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
Source – Hacker News.
