Similar to how Gmail has long kept users safe from phishing and malware attacks, bringing these same protections to Google Drive is critical in ensuring Drive remains as safe as possible for all users.” 'Google Drive is constantly working to protect the security and safety of our users and society while always respecting privacy. The company provided the following statement: TechRadar Pro asked Google for comment on the potential for the new policy to cause disruption to regular users and for clarification over the review process. And it’s also unclear whether intimate photos of oneself, for example, are in breach of the abuse policy, or whether they fall under the “artistic” exception.Īs explained in the latest blog post, there is a system to request a review (opens in new tab) of a decision if someone feels a file has been restricted unfairly, but it’s unclear how the process will be handled on Google’s end and how long it might take. It’s easy to imagine a scenario whereby users’ files are rendered inaccessible without due cause.

In the policy document, Google explains that it may make “exceptions based on artistic, educational, documentary or scientific considerations,” which suggests there will be some element of editorializing involved in the process. However, separating legitimate files from content in violation of abuse policies will be far from clear cut. “After we are notified of a potential policy violation, we may review the content and take action, including restricting access to the content, removing the content, and limiting or terminating a user’s access to Google products.”

“We need to curb abuses that threaten our ability to provide these services, and we ask that everyone abide by to help us achieve this goal,” states Google in its policy document.

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