Google Workspace Changes

Import sensitive external files to Google Drive with client-side encryption using the Drive API (Beta)

Google is introducing a beta feature that allows admins of eligible Google Workspace editions to import sensitive, encrypted files from third-party storage into Google Drive using Client-side encryption (CSE) and the Drive API. This functionality enables admins to bulk import files on behalf of users while maintaining strict data confidentiality and meeting data sovereignty and compliance requirements.

New in-file experience for responding to file access requests.

Google is introducing a new file access experience that allows file approvers to review and respond to pending access requests directly from within the file (Docs, Sheets, Slides, PDFs, etc.). Approvers will see a notification dot on the 'Share' button and a banner within the sharing dialog when requests are pending, providing a more efficient alternative to responding via email.

Drive log events expanded to Business Starter and Essentials Starter editions.

Drive log events, which enable administrators to access an audit and investigation page to run searches related to Drive activity, are now available for Google Workspace Business Starter and Essentials Starter editions.

Optimizing the Google Drive Android app for foldable devices

The Google Drive Android app now features controls within the item preview viewer that intelligently respond and adjust based on the position of a foldable device, whether it is opened, closed, or partially opened.

Find what you need faster with new Google Drive organizational options

Google Drive for Web is introducing new organizational options, including a drop-down menu in grid and list layouts to choose if folders appear 'on top' or 'mixed with files,' and new display options within the Search view.

Developers will now be able to fully control file expirations via the Google Drive API for files in shared drives.

To expand upon this, we’re adding the option to set expirations on files that reside in shared drives using the Google Drive API. Specifically, developers will now be able to fully control file expirations via the API (creating, reading, updating, deleting), and users will be able to see, but not edit file expirations in the sharing dialog.

Set expirations for files in shared drives using Google Drive API

Google is expanding the ability to set expiring access to files located in shared drives via the Google Drive API. Developers can now fully control file expirations (creating, reading, updating, and deleting) through the API, while end users will be able to view these expirations in the sharing dialog, although they cannot edit them directly.

Shared drives are being introduced to Google Workspace Business Starter.

As a benefit of the transition to pooled storage, Business Starter customers will gain access to shared drives, enabling better team collaboration through shared file storage and access. While users can create shared drives and add members, certain advanced admin-level and security controls will not be available for the Business Starter edition. This feature will become available after pooled storage has rolled out to all existing Business Starter customers.

Google Workspace Business Starter is transitioning from per-user storage to pooled storage.

Google is updating the storage model for Business Starter from per-user storage to pooled storage, allowing storage to be shared across the entire organization. This change simplifies storage management and provides admins with better monitoring tools. New customers will have pooled storage starting May 15, 2023, and existing customers will transition starting May 22, 2023.

Google Drive introduces a dedicated spam folder for unwanted and abusive shared files.

Google Drive is introducing a dedicated spam folder to host unwanted files shared with users that contain spam or abusive content. Automatic classifiers will redirect suspected spam, and users can manually move Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites, and Forms files in and out of the folder. Once a file is moved to spam, the user is unsubscribed from notifications and comments, and the file is permanently removed after 30 days.

You can now use familiar keyboard shortcuts to copy, cut and paste Google Drive files in your Chrome browser.

This saves you time by allowing you to copy one or more files and move them to new locations in Drive, and across multiple tabs, with fewer clicks.

Admins can now place shared drives into sub organizational units (OUs) in open beta.

Doing so enables admins to configure sharing policies, data regions, access management, and more at a granular level.

New intelligent content-based detection and additional regional security detectors for data loss prevention.

Admins can use data loss prevention to create and apply rules to control what content your users can share in Google Drive files outside your organization, helping to prevent unintended exposure of sensitive information. These additional detectors, along with intelligent based scanning, help to further secure your environment and sensitive data.

Automated classification with Google Workspace DLP and labels-driven sharing restrictions are now generally available.

Automated classification with Google Workspace DLP and labels-driven sharing restrictions are now generally available. A new Admin console setting can now automatically apply up to 5 labels to all new files your users create, or to all newly created files owned by specific parts of your organization.

Automated classification of Google Drive files using DLP rules.

Automated classification is now generally available, enabling organizations to automatically add Drive labels to content based on administrator-defined DLP rules and predefined content detectors. This allows admins to configure rules that warn users or block external sharing, downloads, and printing for files labeled as confidential or internal.