Blog
Videos Downloaded through Takeout from Google Photos Accidentally Sent to Strangers

Videos Downloaded through Takeout from Google Photos Accidentally Sent to Strangers

Reviewed by
A programming glitch compromised the security of downloads, and as a result, videos downloaded through this popular platform that were intended to remain private were made available to strangers
Table of Contents
A programming glitch compromised the security of downloads, and as a result, videos downloaded through this popular platform that were intended to remain private were made available to strangers

Key Takeaways

Google Takeout is a popular service that Google offers for users looking to download their data. This can be helpful for things like creating backups of important files, rebuilding contact lists, making changes to photos or videos, downloading books, clearing space in Google Drive, and many other things. Given that Google offers such cheap and secure storage solutions for its consumers across all major platforms, it comes as no surprise that Google Takeout is such a popular means of downloading content.

A programming glitch compromised the security of these downloads, and as a result, videos downloaded through this popular platform that were intended to remain private were made available to strangers. On February 3rd, Google began contacting Takeout users about a technical issue.

takeout

In their email, they share that between November 21st and 25th, any videos included in their download were "incorrectly exported to unrelated users' archives." In addition, downloads performed during that period were incomplete. Google has identified and resolved the problem and assures users that they are conducting an in-depth analysis to help prevent this from ever happening again.

The Bottom Line

Incidents like this go to show that no matter how many steps you take to keep your own data secure, there's nothing that any of us can do to ensure that our data held by other companies is kept secure. If Google, known for their high security, can experience a breach, anyone can. If companies like Avast, who were trusted to protect us, can sell our data without us knowing, anyone can. These are scary thoughts.

We commend companies like Google, who are honest and transparent about data breaches and security incidents that may impact their customers. The news headlines are full of reports of major websites experiencing data breaches, but only a small number of these breaches are made known to the public. Companies hide breaches every day for fear of the negative attention and loss of business that comes with their violation of customers' trust. Their choice to put the reputation of their company before the safety of their customers and their data often leaves victims dealing with identity theft and fraud.

This is why it's so important to use an account monitoring service. These services monitor the deep web for signs that your accounts were involved in a breach. When one is found, they alert you right away if your account information was shared online or on the dark web for criminals to access so that you know to begin taking action to protect yourself right away.

{{component-cta-custom}}

CMS-based CTA:
Clean up your browser and prevent future scams
Protect yourself from identity theft & other scams, begin with a free scan.
Add Guardio to BrowserTake Security Quiz
Default CTA:
Smart protection, built for how you live online
Stay ahead of threats with real-time insights and proactive protection.
Add Guardio to BrowserTake Security Quiz
CMS-based "Did you know?" block
Did you know?
Default "Did you know?" block
Did you know?

Make sure you have a personal safety plan in place. If you believe someone is stalking you online and may be putting you at risk of harm, don’t remove suspicious apps or confront the stalker without a plan. The Coalition Against Stalkerware provides a list of resources for anyone dealing with online stalking, monitoring, and harassment.

Guardio Security Team
Guardio’s Security Team researches and exposes cyber threats, keeping millions of users safe online. Their findings have been featured by Fox News, The Washington Post, Bleeping Computer, and The Hacker News, making the web safer — one threat at a time.
Tips from the expert

Related articles

FAQs

No items found.
Table of Contents
Can You Spot a Scam Text Message?
Test your skills and learn how to protect yourself from online scams.
Take the quiz now
Can You Spot a Scam Text Message?
Test your skills and learn how to protect yourself from online scams.
Take the quiz now