Google Drive is built for persistent collaboration. Konfidant is built for one-time, non-retrievable delivery of sensitive data. Different problems, different tools—here's where the line is.
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Google Drive is a collaboration workspace—built for teams who need persistent, searchable, shareable access to files. Konfidant is a secure courier—built for one-time delivery of data that must not persist after receipt.
If your team edits documents together, needs shared folders, and wants files to stay around, Google Drive is the right tool. If you're sending something confidential—API keys, legal exhibits, medical records, due diligence packages—Google Drive is the wrong tool. Files there persist indefinitely, Google processes their content, and anyone with the link can re-share it.
How Konfidant and Google Drive handle encryption, data retention, and access control.
| Feature | Konfidant | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | ||
| File destroyed after first download | ||
| Zero-knowledge storage (provider can't read files) | ||
| Provider scans or processes file content | ||
| One-time access links | ||
| Files persist after sharing | ||
| Collaborative real-time editing | ||
| Access audit log | Workspace plans | |
| Custom domain for download links | Workspace only | |
| GDPR deletion guarantee | Partial |
Google Drive and Konfidant serve opposite purposes. Here's what changes when confidentiality is the requirement.
Google encrypts files at rest and in transit, but Google holds the keys. Google Workspace offers Client-Side Encryption (CSE) on Enterprise plans—but it isn't the default, and most organizations don't use it. For standard Google Drive, Google can access your files.
Konfidant encrypts files client-side on every upload, with no exceptions. The decryption key is embedded in the download link and never touches Konfidant's servers. Zero-knowledge is the default, not an enterprise add-on.
Files in Google Drive persist until you manually delete them, then remain in Trash for 30 days before permanent removal. Even after that, data may persist in backups under Google's retention schedules. Files shared with others remain accessible to those recipients until you explicitly revoke access.
Konfidant deletes the file from storage the moment the first download completes. The link returns an error. There's no trash, no recovery window, no backup to subpoena.
Google processes the content of files stored in Drive to power features like search indexing, Smart Compose, spam detection, and policy enforcement. This is disclosed in Google's terms of service. For files containing trade secrets, personal data, or privileged communications, this processing creates a legal and compliance exposure.
Konfidant never processes file content. Files are encrypted before upload and decrypted by the recipient. Konfidant cannot read your files, and never does.
Google Drive can be configured for HIPAA workloads with a BAA and Workspace Business Starter or higher. But Google processes file content and holds encryption keys, which creates risk for PHI, attorney-client privileged data, or GDPR-scoped personal data that must be processed under data minimisation principles.
Konfidant's zero-knowledge, burn-on-read model means there is no long-term processing relationship with the file. Audit logs document exactly when access occurred. Files are gone after delivery—which is the strongest possible answer to a data retention audit.
Google Drive and Konfidant aren't competing for the same use case. Here's how to tell which one you need.
Use Google Drive when
Use Konfidant when
No, not by default. Google encrypts files at rest and in transit, but Google holds the encryption keys and processes file content for features like search and spam detection. Client-Side Encryption (CSE) is available on Google Workspace Enterprise plans, but it isn't the default and requires additional configuration. Konfidant encrypts every file client-side with no exceptions—zero-knowledge is the default, not an enterprise add-on.
Google processes file content to power features such as search indexing, Smart Compose suggestions, spam and malware detection, and policy enforcement. This is described in Google's Terms of Service. For files containing personal data, trade secrets, legally privileged communications, or regulated health information, this processing creates compliance and legal risk that zero-knowledge tools like Konfidant avoid entirely.
Google Drive can be configured for HIPAA workloads when you have a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Google and use an eligible Workspace plan. However, Google retains access to file content and processes it for its own features. For protected health information (PHI) that must be shared externally, Konfidant's burn-on-read model—where the file is deleted the moment it's downloaded—provides stronger protection than persistent Drive storage.
No. Google Drive has no built-in one-time download functionality. A shared link remains active until you manually revoke access, and the recipient can download the file multiple times, re-share the link, or take their own copy. Konfidant's links are single-use by design—after the first download, the link is dead and the file is permanently deleted from storage.
Google Drive is persistent collaborative storage: files stay, can be edited, and remain accessible to everyone you share with. Konfidant is ephemeral one-time delivery: files are encrypted client-side, accessible once, then permanently deleted. If you'd put it in a sealed envelope that shreds itself—use Konfidant. If you'd put it in a shared filing cabinet—use Google Drive.
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