Google Drive has announced a new update that will add a dedicated spam folder to keep users’ accounts protected from potentially harmful content. The cloud storage platform will use automatic classifiers to send unwanted files or folders to the spam folder, which users can also manually move. The feature also includes the option to unsubscribe users from the file, preventing any comment, sharing, or mobile push notifications. Files that remain in the spam folder for more than 30 days will be permanently removed from Drive.
The update will be available from May 24 on Web, Android, iOS, and Drive for Desktop to all Google Workspace customers, including legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers and users with personal Google Accounts. The new spam folder is expected to improve the security of Google Drive by giving users more control over their content while blocking harmful files without risking the impact to users.
Google has provided “best-in-class” spam, phishing, and malware prevention on Gmail and Drive for some time, but the latter lacked a specific location to send unwanted content until now. The new feature was announced at Google I/O 2023, where the company launched a range of security-themed upgrades and launches. The addition of a spam folder seems to patch a gap in Google Drive’s security in the modern online collaboration age, where sharing files and folders has become second nature for many users.
By ensuring all its office software tools have the same cybersecurity measures, Google hopes to provide a safer online experience for businesses everywhere. The new feature will give users more control over their content and enable them to suppress potentially malicious content, ensuring their account remains protected from any potential cybersecurity risks.
