Google Drive Users reporting lost data?

eva2000 · Nov 28, 2023

First I've heard of this https://www.techspot.com/news/100976-google-drive-users-report-losing-files-last-few.html. Anyone experienced this?

PSA: Despite the convenience and rising ubiquity of cloud storage services, users shouldn't assume that files stored on the cloud are safe. Many Google Drive users are now discovering that a glitch in the service can put months of data at risk. Google is investigating the problem, and one user has found a possible solution.
Google is investigating numerous cases where months' worth of user files have disappeared from Google Drive. Until it resolves the issue, the company warns users not to remove files from critical folders, but it would be safe to create new backups.

Multiple account holders have recently complained that their Google Drive files from the last few months have vanished. One reported losing three months of work. A user described the drive rolling back to May 2023 in an even more extreme example.
Unfortunately, Google Drive's built-in file recovery system doesn't help because it only restores files that users deleted. Some forum commenters received messages from Google support saying they couldn't help, but other signs indicate the data might be recoverable.

At least one user discovered that a cache within the Google Drive section of the AppData folder contains the latest files but warns others against manipulating it. An official message from Google also says users shouldn't delete or move the AppData folder (the Mac equivalent is Application Support) or disconnect the service from their accounts. The safest measure is to make a local backup of the entire Google Drive folder until the company solves the problem.
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duderuud · Nov 28, 2023

I recently moved from GDrive to PCloud for my backups (because...google) so luckily I didn't.

buik · Nov 29, 2023

eva2000 said: ↑

First I've heard of this https://www.techspot.com/news/100976-google-drive-users-report-losing-files-last-few.html. Anyone experienced this?
Click to expand...

And that is exactly why you should not use sync tools like Google Drive, OneDrive etc as backup.
With the main objective data protection.

File syncing can just barely be called data protection -- it's more about productivity enhancement, said John Annand, infrastructure and operations research director at Info-Tech Research Group, an IT research and advisory firm.

Sync enables a local file to remain fully consistent with a master copy of the same file, stored remotely, in as close to real time as possible.

"When the two [files] drift, sync uses time stamps and permissions to reconcile and reestablish a single consistent file," Annand said.

File sync typically requires the use of a syncing and sharing service. Files update on the fly, usually continuously. A true backup, however, ensures files and folders regularly and permanently copy from one location to another, such as to a hard drive, tape drive or the cloud, which creates a permanent record -- a snapshot of a file or folder at a specific moment in time.
Click to expand...

eva2000 · Nov 29, 2023

duderuud said: ↑

I recently moved from GDrive to PCloud for my backups (because...google) so luckily I didn't.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I use to use SyncBackPro to set custom rules for folders to sync to backup locations - mainly to sync data between 2 laptops https://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/sbpro.html. At one time I did sync Google Drive to local storage but stopped as my local storage disk space was running out heh. Will have to look at this again.

SynbackPro currently has 20% off Black Friday deal too https://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/compare.html

buik said: ↑

And that is exactly why you should not use sync tools like Google Drive, OneDrive etc as backup.
With the main objective data protection.
Click to expand...

Yeah it can be dangerous even if you accidentally delete a file, it will be deleted in cloud too.

buik · Dec 4, 2023

eva2000 said: ↑

Yeah it can be dangerous even if you accidentally delete a file, it will be deleted in cloud too.
Click to expand...

That just depends on which 'cloud' service you use. OneDrive, for example, has a feature for this. And depending on your subscription. Deleted files are kept for 30 to 93 days.

cloud9 · Dec 7, 2023

For my laptop backups - cloud storage - I use dropbox AND I use my own Synology Server at home so have 2 backups - Thereby I have and am in control of on set of my own backups - Synology is a 12 bay NAS on synologys own raid (like raid 6) each drive being 4TB and one of the 12 is a hot swop, done this for many many years now as dont entirely trust outsourcing my backups to a third party.....

eva2000 · Dec 8, 2023

Recovery tool https://www.techspot.com/news/101104-google-rolls-out-lifeline-drive-users-lost-files.html

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