You’ve probably heard the phrase “the Cloud.” But what does that really mean?
The Cloud is a way to store your files (like photos, documents, or backups) on someone else’s computer that has much more memory than yours, most often some big company’s computer (e.g. Amazon, Microsoft). You can then access your files on that other computer via the internet.
When something is in the Cloud, you can open it from anywhere. You don’t need to carry a flash drive or worry about your computer crashing. All you need is an Internet connection. The Cloud is fast, easy, and used by billions of people every day.
But like anything online, the Cloud comes with privacy risks.
Common Cloud Providers You May Already Be Using
iCloud (Apple): If you have an iPhone, you’re probably using iCloud. It automatically backs up your photos, texts, notes, and more. Apple says it encrypts* (see definition below) your data, but Apple holds the keys to your Cloud, which means they can still access your data in the Cloud if required by the police or the law. To prevent this, you have to turn on Advanced Data Protection.
Dropbox: Dropbox is a popular cloud storage service for sharing files and backing up work or personal documents. It’s easy to use and works on any device. But Dropbox does not offer full end-to-end encryption* by default.
OneDrive: OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage system, built into most Windows computers. It backs up your documents, photos, and desktop folders online so you can reach them from anywhere. Microsoft holds the keys to your data, so they can read your files if needed. Files may be scanned for “policy violations,” and your information could be shared with law enforcement or other third parties.
GoogleDrive: Your files are not end-to-end encrypted*, which means Google can access the contents if it wants to. Google can scan your files, link your activity to your personal profile, and hand over your data to authorities if asked.
What can I use?
If you want more control over your data, there are cloud tools built specifically for privacy:
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I need to delete a file on my computer. How can I make sure that it’s really gone?
Most people don’t realize that when you “delete” a file, it often isn’t really gone from your computer. It just gets marked as “okay to overwrite.” That means, until that memory space in your computer gets reused to save something else, someone could still recover the deleted file.
If you’re using Windows, a free program called Eraser can actually shred files, making sure they’re completely electronically erased and can’t be recovered. Think of it like a digital paper shredder.
If you’re using MacOs, you should enable FireVault or you can use the free program called Permanent Eraser.
So What’s the Bottom Line When It Comes to Using the Cloud?
(1) Be careful about what you upload to the “Cloud.”
(2) Use a more secure “Cloud” whenever possible.
*encryption explained in the “Introduction” article HERE
—- Published January 2026 —-