Can google access data of apps connected to google drive

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I use an app (cashew) which provides google as the sole sign in option. No other way to sync data across devices. I am ok with signing in with my google account but I was concerned about the access google has to the app data. So wanted to ask if google can access the data that the app saves in google drive? I am not sure if the data is encrypted either.

The devs have this to say about google sign in:

Currently, Cashew does not support other methods of syncing due to privacy concerns and the complexity involved. Maintaining servers for this purpose is expensive and outside the scope of this app.

But if google can access the data then that is the biggest “privacy concern”.

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if it’s storing some sort of file into google drive unencrypted or something, yes google could access that.
That’s so ironic of Cashew considering WhatsApp’s implementation of doing end-to-end encrypted backups through Google Drive is way less of a privacy concern than not providing any alternatives nor encryption at all if then.

If that’s what they’re justifying and provides no means of encryption, then literally would suggest alternatives like what @mangomango mentioned and stuff.
(maybe you can work around this with cryptomator or something but don’t quote me on that)

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Yeah. They don’t even want to implement periodic offline backups because of some directory issues. Like the app might not be able to access the directory and then it will result in errors (kind of a bug) but many apps already do that (having periodic backups) so I see not problem with that. As for google sign in, it’s fine by me if they keep the files encrypted. They do have manual backups but you can imagine the pain of backing up on every edit and transferring it to all your devices. Even in google sign in, you have to sign in every time you want to sync the web app. The implementation seems completely flawed.

I tried the Paisa app but I think it’s not for me. Having the beautiful UI and android apps is a big deal for me TBH. As of now, I am doing manual backups but if a better app/alternative comes along, I will be the first one to jump ship.

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