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Secure Shared Files in Google Workspace

How to enforce security updates for file links and prevent users from removing them in Google Workspace.

Written by Kavi Harshawat
Updated over 2 weeks ago

Overview

Google's file link security update makes shared file links more secure by requiring recipients to be verified before gaining access. Allowing users to remove this update from their own files creates a risk that sensitive files could be shared with unintended recipients. Enforcing this setting ensures the security update is applied consistently across your organization and cannot be overridden by individual users.

Prerequisites

  • Administrator access to the Google Admin console

  • Service Settings administrator privilege

Instructions

  1. Sign in to the Google Admin console

  2. Navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Drive and Docs > Sharing settings

  3. Scroll to Security update for files

  4. Select Apply security update to all impacted files

  5. Uncheck Allow users to remove/apply the security update for files they own or manage

  6. Click Save

⚠️ Applying the security update may cause some users to receive file access requests from people who previously had link access. Users will not be able to override this setting for their own files once the option is unchecked.

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