In the realm of cloud storage services, Google Drive stands tall as a widely recognized service. However, recent reports have indicated an alarming issue: Google Drive seems to be misplacing users' files. In response, engineers have advised users not to make any changes or attempt to troubleshoot until the problem is comprehensively addressed and resolved.
Cloud storage solutions like iCloud or Google Drive offer the luxury of file accessibility from any location. Yet, they are not without their drawbacks. As with any data storage system, it's vital to regularly backup data to mitigate any unintentional data loss. Read more.
An Unsettling Issue
Google Drive has recently garnered attention due to an issue where the service appears to have unintentionally deleted varying amounts of user data. This problem was reported by several concerned users across different forums, as highlighted by Android Police.
The first reported case of this loss was from a South Korean user who, on November 21st, discovered their Google Drive account had reverted to a file structure from May 2023, resulting in the loss of all new files and changes made post that date.
Google's Response
On November 27th, a Google Drive representative stated that the issue, which seems to affect a small segment of desktop users, is under review. The representative also advised against clicking "Disconnect account" within the Google Drive desktop app and recommended not to delete or move the app data folder.
More Information
The app data folder can be located on Windows and macOS.
- Windows: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\DriveFS
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/DriveFS
Users are asked to make a copy of the app data folder, if possible.
Who Can Be Affected After All?
While initial reports didn't identify if the issue was connected to the mobile app, web, or desktop, it was later clarified by the Google Drive team that it primarily affects a small group of desktop users, such as those using macOS or Windows.
Until a resolution is identified and released through an update, users are advised not to make any edits or changes to files in the application folder or log out of the app.
