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The Google office

by Joe Kissell, Macworld.com

For your eyes only

One big difference between storing your documents on your computer and storing them on Google’s servers is that you no longer have complete control over who might see them. What if Google were required to hand over your highly confidential data to the government? What if a Google employee performing routine maintenance stumbled across a spreadsheet outlining your top-secret business plan?

Google’s detailed privacy policy spells out the company’s guarantee that it will keep your information safe (see particulars for Docs and Spreadsheets, and for Gmail ). Respecting its customers’ privacy is certainly in Google’s best interest—a well-publicized breach of privacy could result in a significant loss of business. However, it’s also true that Google saves many copies of your data in various locations around the world, and that deleting something from your account doesn’t immediately delete it from all those backups. Theft, corporate espionage, or actions by a disgruntled employee could put your information into the wrong hands.

You might already trust Google (or another provider) to store your e-mail messages. The risk with data contained in documents and spreadsheets is no greater. However, if you’re working with state secrets, confidential medical records, or other sensitive information, storing it online—anywhere—in an unencrypted form is asking for trouble.

[ Joe Kissell is the senior editor of TidBits and the author of Real World Mac Maintenance and Backups (Peachpit Press, 2007). ]

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