In a move to protect its users' privacy and prevent governments from accessing users' stored files, Google has begun experimenting with encrypting Google Drive files.
According to a CNET blog, Google is actively testing encryption to protect files on its cloud-based file storage and synchronisation service.
Several companies have been in the spotlight recently, after classified NSA documents revealed government computer software dubbed PRISM that collates data that businesses are required to provide under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Secure encryption of its users' files means Google would be unable to divulge the contents of stored communications, even if the NSA had a legal order, or law enforcement a warrant.
According to digital rights advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation, mechanisms such as these would give users more confidence and 'allow them to start backing up potentially their whole devices'.
In the past, Google has said user files were transmitted in encrypted form, but were stored unencrypted in its data centres.
CNET added that many Web companies routinely use encryption, for example HTTPS, to protect the confidentiality of users' communications during transmission. However, files stored in the cloud are not usually encrypted due to high costs, complexity and the effort involved in indexing and searching encrypted data.
Fighting for privacy is not new for Google. In April, Wired.com reported that the search giant filed a petition to challenge an ultra-secret national security letter issued by the government to obtain private data about one or more of its users.
In addition, in June this year, Google's official blog said it filed a motion with the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, asking permission to publish data on national security requests that were made to it and authorised by the court.
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