Google Drive’s Spam Blocking Tool Launches Today, but Is It Enough?

In 2019, I penned a piece about what a disaster spam is in Google Drive. At the time, Google told me that a fix was coming. Fast-forward two and a half years, and that “fix” is finally here. It’s far from perfect, but it’s better than nothing.

The spam blocking feature was originally announced back in May of this year, just after Google IO. It will allow users to block anyone from sharing files with them—just right-click on a shared file and click “block.” It will remove all files shared by that user and prevent them from sharing files in the future. Similarly, it will also prevent you from sharing files with that person.

There are a few caveats to be aware of, however. For one, you can’t block users in the same workplace domain—so if you’re getting harassed by a colleague over Google Drive, this does no good. There also doesn’t appear to be a way to block a user before they hit you with spam, either.

It’s a fine solution, assuming the hostile user isn’t persistent. They could easily just create another email address and bombard you with spam again. If a person is persistent enough (or creates a bot to do this for them), you could end up in an endless loop of blocking old spam and receiving it from a new email. It sounds like a nightmare.

The bad news is that there doesn’t appear to be a better solution. Sure, Google could implement IP blocking, but that can also be easily circumvented. The sad fact is that there isn’t a great, one-size-fits-all solution here, which Google is likely aware of.

Still, the current solution is just that—a solution. It’s not permanent, nor is it perfect. But it’s a damn sight better than what was offered before now, which was absolutely nothing.

The new blocking tool in Drive is rolling out now and will continue to do so for the next two weeks. So, if you don’t have it today, you should get it soon.

via Android Police