Hello, this is Fujii.
In September 2023, it became a hot topic that many people on social media (especially X) reported that their Google and iCloud accounts were frozen.
"Eh, is my Google account suspended or frozen?"
This is the first time that many of you realize the risk of your cloud service being frozen.
This isIt's a fact.
In this article, we will explain why Google Drive and iCloud accounts are frozen, how to unfreeze them, and whether there are differences in the risk of freezing depending on whether you have a paid or free version.
Causes of account freeze in Google Drive or iCloud
In Google Drive, iCloud,If you upload a violating file, the account will be frozen as a rule violationThere is a possibility.
So how do you determine if it's a violating file?
AI monitoring within cloud services
Google and iCloud use theAutomatic monitoring functionIt is equipped with.
It uses artificial intelligence to automatically find content that may violate the rules.
If you upload a file, be aware that it is under surveillance.
Even if it is not directly seen by a human eye, the system automatically scans it.
Next, what types of content can be in violation of the terms in uploads...
What actions are subject to account suspension?
![Google Drive is suddenly frozen! Causes and solutions of dirt bans [iCloud]](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_lossy,ret_img,w_960,h_540/https://takeofujii.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Legal-iCloud-Apple.png "Google Drive is suddenly frozen! Causes and solutions of dirt bans [iCloud]")
The target isUsers who violate the Terms of Useis.
This violation depends on each service. For example, in the case of iCloud,
From iCloud Legal
- Upload content that is unlawful, harassing, threatening, harmful, unlawful, defamatory, libelous, insulting, violent, obscene, vulgar, invasive of another's privacy, offensive in terms of race or ethics, or otherwise inappropriate.
- Stalking, harassment, and intimidation
- Acts requesting personal information from minors
- Acts that deceive another person or organization
- Copyright infringement or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information
- Sending spam and junk mail
- Spoofing (the act of using false information to deceive recipients)
- Spreading viruses and malware
- Service interruption or interruption
- Planning or carrying out illegal activities
- Unauthorized collection of personal information of other users
These are considered violations.
Google Drive is also indicated in the terms and conditions. The content is almost the same.
- Child sexual abuse and exploitation
- Avoiding technical safeguards
- Dangerous and illegal activities
- Deception, fraud, fraud
- Harassment, bullying, and threats
- Malicious expressions
- Spoofing and misrepresentation
- Malware and similar malicious content
- Misleading content
- Explicit images without consent
- Personal and confidential information
- Phishing
- Regulated goods and services
- Sexually explicit
- Spam
- System interference and abuse
- Unsolicited images of minors
- Violence, bloodshed
- Violent organizations and activities
Will my account be frozen?
"If you subscribe to a paid plan, there is no risk of your account being frozen."
… RegrettablyThere is no such fact.
The same is true for Google Drive, iCloud, and other cloud services.
As with the free plan, if we are found to be violating our terms of service or policies,Even paid plans will freeze your account.
Whether it is a free plan or a paid plan, it does not affect the criteria for being frozen.
Google Drive and iCloud are monitored
As explained, Google Drive and iCloud are being monitored.
Of course, it is important for users to follow the rules.
But what I don't like is"Being monitored"It is a fact.
Cloud services such as Google Drive have systems in place to monitor uploaded data for violations of the service's terms of service and privacy policies.
Even though humans are not constantly watching, it doesn't feel good to be watched.
If you upload a large number of files at once, you may unknowingly upload violating content.
There seems to be a case like the one below.
![Google Drive is suddenly frozen! Causes and solutions of dirt bans [iCloud]](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_lossy,ret_img,w_1024,h_495/https://takeofujii.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Banned-Google-Account-Google-Account-Community-1024x495.png "Google Drive is suddenly frozen! Causes and solutions of dirt bans [iCloud]")
Since it is English, I translated it into Japanese. Press down to read it. It's miserable.
My Google account has been disabled and I have been contacting support for 8 days. This is because you accidentally uploaded a nude video of a minor that you use at work. It is not pornographic content.
Google only gave me two chances to appeal, but I also got a letter from the company, explaining my situation and offering to provide evidence that these videos were related to my work. I admit my mistake, but I didn't know I was violating Google's policies, so this was honest.
You're just trying to regain access to your email.My Gmail account is connected to over 300 accounts, including 5 bank accounts.Additionally, there is a pending order that may have arrived, but you do not have access to your email to confirm. I have been a Google One member for the past 2 years and this account is my main account. I have been able to use it for over 6 years without any problems.
My Google Drive contains about 60 GB of work-related projects, personal documents, family photos, and personal images on Google Photos.While I admit to violating the policy, I believe Google is also responsible, as Google Drive and Google Photos data should remain private unless explicitly shared.
I've been trying to tell Google about this for 8 days. We're requesting temporary access for at least one week to download emails, Drive content, and Google Photos images, and to migrate your account to the new email. I feel that this situation is unjust, so I hope Google will consider my request.
I don't know what happened after this, but if your account dispute is rejected, your account will be permanently inaccessible.
AlsoGoogle will not provide advance notice of any violation of the Terms of Service.In other words, one day it will suddenly become unusable.
We will explain how to solve your account if it is frozen.
How to solve Google Drive and iCloud suspension and dirt ban
I have investigated both in Japan and overseas, but if Google Drive and iCloud become a dirt ban, basicallyYou have no choice but to contact support.
There are no tricks or techniques. Appeal.
For Google Drive
FirstClick herePlease visit.
There is an official guide when your Google account is deactivated.
Select Start an appeal to appeal. If your appeal isn't approved, you won't be able to use all of your Google Accounts.
In some cases, the account may be permanently accessible, unusable, or unusable, and account deletion.
For iCloud
iCloudClick herePlease see the page.
If you see a message in the App Store or iTunes Store that your account is suspended, contact Apple Support directly.
There is a possibility that it can be resolved through communication.
When you use Google or Apple cloud storage, you run the risk of your account suddenly being suspended or frozen one day.
However, if you say, "Have you read the terms of use?
However, it would be a problem if you could not access your data.
Which cloud storage is better for iCloud besides Google Drive?
What is secure cloud storage with a focus on security?
I also want to introduce "this is safe cloud storage".However, there is no cloud storage that is 100% safe and secure.
Even with multi-layered defenses in place, such as server physical security, encryption techniques, and access controls, new attack methods can emerge. In additionThe risk of human error and internal information leakage is not zero.
In other words, there is no logic that "Japan's domestic cloud storage is safe" or "safe because everyone uses it".
In fact, it is safer to store it on your home HDD.(Except for the human things that can be taken out or lost inside)
Recommended cloud storage in terms of security
- Distrust of Google Drive and iCloud
- But I don't know which cloud storage will be an alternative
For those peoplepCloud+pCloud Encryption is recommended.
Please note that it will include a little technical content, so it will be a chewy explanation.
For zero-knowledge encryption, pCloud+Encryption
I usually recommend cloud storage that uses zero-knowledge encryption.
By using zero-knowledge encryption, no one but the user knows the contents of the file, maintaining complete anonymity.
pCloud does not offer zero-knowledge encryption out of the box, but you can use an additional service called pCloud Encryption to enable zero-knowledge encryption.
Files uploaded to pCloud will no longer be monitored or read.
For more information, please refer to the official page.Terms and ConditionsPlease visit
Get a great deal on pCloud + pCloud Encryption on Black Friday 2023. Please consider it.
Depending on when you read the article, the Black Friday sale may be over.
What is the possibility of getting a dirt ban on pCloud?
However, don't use pCloud for the following usage:
- Illegal content (child pornography or terrorist propaganda)
- Acts of storing copyright infringing content on pCloud and distributing it to a third party.
It is prohibited when it comes to so-called DMCA violations.
No problem. There are other people's copyrighted works, but it is unlikely to be a problem unless you distribute them to third parties.
In other words,When used for the purpose of publishing to an unspecified number of people, such as Manga Villagemay result in account suspension.
If it is for the purpose of storing and viewing personal files for personal use only for oneself, even if it is a manga, anime, or other copyrighted work, it will not be exposed to the outside world, and it will not be a problem.
You may have wondered here.
With pCloud and Encryption, no one but you should be able to see the contents of your files.
So why can pCloud check if it violates the DMCA?
Why pCloud can determine violating content?
Of course, there will be questions like this. So I also inquired. The answer from pCloud is as follows.
That's what it means. This means that content that violates the DMCA or child pornography is illegal, so if it doesn't contain them, it's not a problem.
If you are considering pCloud, please take this opportunity to consider it.
By the way, if you want more anonymity, you might as well manage your files on an offshore hosting that ignores the DMCA.
If it seems difficult to balance the price, I think it is better to manage it with an HDD.
Access to your files is restricted and no data is provided to third parties. However, we work with external organizations to report information on the Internet about a specific file's checksum (a string of numbers and letters that acts as a fingerprint for a file).
This is to identify files that violate our Terms of Service (e.g., child pornography, terrorist propaganda, etc.). The system works automatically and if it detects a file that has already been reported, the account will be automatically suspended until an investigation is conducted.
In addition, if you share a public link to data for which you do not own or distribute it and we receive a notice of copyright infringement, we will take the necessary steps in accordance with international law and notify you immediately by email. This is a measure taken to prevent copyright infringement.