Encrypt your files before you upload them to Dropbox.If you don’t like the idea of your files being examined in this way, you have two choices. But it’s clearly the case that data uploaded to Dropbox is not as private as some might have hoped and imagined. Whether you consider this snooping or not, is a matter for some debate and argument.
It was just made inaccessible to other internet users (the public link was disabled, and redirected to the DMCA message). If you share a file with other internet users in a Dropbox folder that has the same hash as one on Dropbox’s list, you’ll no doubt have the same problem as Darrell Whitelaw and his friend.įinally, the file wasn’t removed from Whitelaw’s Dropbox folder. Instead, Dropbox has a database of hashes (checksums, if you prefer) of files that have been previously been identified as copyright material that have been taken down by DMCA requests. Secondly, the content of the actual files are not being examined. Instead, it only appears to be done for files which are being shared with other internet users via the service. There are a few important things to note here.įirstly, it doesn’t appear that Dropbox is doing this with all files stored on its data servers. We have an automated system that then prevents other users from sharing the identical material using another Dropbox link. When we receive these, we process them according to the law and disable the identified link. “We sometimes receive DMCA notices to remove links on copyright grounds. The folks at Ars Technica reached out to Dropbox, who confirmed that it checks publicly shared links to files, and compares the hashes of shared files to those that have previously been subject to successful DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown requests. The media, understandably, latched onto the story. I treat like my hard drive, this shows it’s not private, nor mine, even though i pay for it. Whitelaw tweeted the screenshot, which was rapidly retweeted by many other Twitter users over the weekend concerned that Dropbox might be snooping on users’ content, and explained: This is what was seen when the link was accessed:Ĭertain files in this folder can’t be shared due to a takedown request in accordance with the DMCA. He uploaded a movie file to his Dropbox folder, and – during an instant message conversation – shared a link to it with an online friend.īecause the movie was copyrighted, and Dropbox – it appears – is attempting to stop copyright-infringers from sharing files via public Dropbox links.
Dropbox user Darrell Whitelaw got a surprise this weekend.
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