Google has announced a new security update that it says will make Drive files more secure by updating their sharing links. The update will add a resource key to the share links and take effect on September 13, 2021.

This could lead to further file access requests. Access to affected files will not change for people who have previously viewed them or have direct access, but users who have not yet viewed the file will need to use a URL containing the resource key to access it.

Google Workspace administrators must decide how to apply the security update to your organization’s files by July 23, 2021. If you choose to apply the security update, affected users will be notified of anything affected.

Admins can choose how the security update is applied for their organization in Admin console apps> Google Workspace> Drive and Docs> Sharing settings> Security update for links. Then choose an option:

• Apply the security update without the possibility for users to remove it (default for education customers)
• Apply the security update, but users can remove it for specific files (default for non-educational customers)
• Remove security update (not recommended)

End users who own or manage affected files will receive an email notification starting July 26, 2021 with their affected files. Depending on the settings chosen by their administrator, they may have the option to remove the security update from their affected files or determine how the update is applied to their files.

Additionally, users will receive a notification from Google Drive to notify them of their affected files from July 26, 2021, and have the option to remove the security update. They will have until September 13, 2021 to determine how the update is applied to their files.

The above changes will apply to all Google Workspace customers, G Suite Basic and Business customers, and users with personal Google Accounts.