Hey everyone! I’ve been using Google Drive to backup all my writing projects and drafts. Recently I started wondering about how secure my content really is on their platform.
I heard somewhere that Google has automated systems that review uploaded files. This makes me nervous because I don’t want my creative work being analyzed or flagged by their algorithms. Has anyone else worried about this?
Also, I read some posts about people getting warnings or account suspensions because their stored content violated community guidelines. Is this something that actually happens to regular users?
What cloud storage alternatives do other writers prefer? I need something reliable but more private than the mainstream options.
Thanks for any advice!
I switched away from Google Drive about two years ago after experiencing some issues with their automated scanning. While most creative content is fine, I had a draft with some darker themes that triggered a review. Nothing happened to my account, but it made me uncomfortable knowing algorithms were reading my work. Currently using pCloud for my manuscripts and it’s been solid. They offer client-side encryption which means your files are encrypted before they even reach their servers. The free tier is decent for starting out, and their privacy policy is much clearer about not scanning user content. Sync speeds are comparable to Google Drive in my experience. Another option worth considering is Tresorit if budget allows. More expensive but they’re specifically focused on security and privacy. I know several professional writers who swear by it for sensitive projects.
honestly, i’ve used google drive for ages, no probs. my stuff has never been flagged. the scans seem to focus on obvious issues like illegal stuff, not our creative writings. you’re good unless you’re writing some super extreme content lol!
I’ve been dealing with this exact dilemma for the past year. What really changed my perspective was when I started collaborating with other writers and realized how much sensitive material we were sharing through Google’s ecosystem. The automated scanning isn’t just theoretical - I know someone who had their account temporarily restricted because they stored research materials for a crime novel that contained flagged keywords. While it got resolved quickly, the stress wasn’t worth it. I ended up moving to Dropbox with their advanced encryption features enabled. The interface feels more straightforward than some of the privacy-focused alternatives, and they’re pretty transparent about what they scan versus what they don’t. The key insight I learned is that any free service is going to have some level of automated review, so paying for a service that explicitly prioritizes privacy is often the better investment for serious writers.