Are your family photos safe? What parents should know about cloud storage

Raising a family can feel like a blur of school runs, bedtime routines and milestone moments. Photos help capture those memories and keep them safe - snapshots of a life that we can revisit long after the moment has passed. 

These days, most of us take photos on our phones and rely on digital storage to preserve them. Unlike printed photos that can fade or get lost, cloud storage helps keep your memories secure and easy to access from anywhere. 

But with so many cloud services available - and growing awareness about how some companies use customer data - it’s understandable to want a little extra reassurance. So, how can you keep your memories safe?

What are the real risks with cloud storage?

Storing photos in the cloud is generally a smart, safe and convenient option. Services like Google Drive, iCloud and Dropbox offer systems designed to protect your files. Still, none of these systems are completely risk-free - so it’s worth knowing what to look out for, and which cloud storage actually offers secure, zero-access encryption. (Clue: it’s Proton Drive). 

AI accessing your stored images

Big tech companies may offer luxury services free of charge, but they're not just storing your photos, they’re learning from them. Companies like Meta and Google include clauses in their privacy policies that allow them to scan or analyse your uploads, which means pictures in your Google Drive could be used to train AI and boost facial recognition or help fine-tune certain algorithms - and yes, that includes photos of your child on holiday or outside their school. 

In June this year, Facebook began asking users if it could gain access to their camera roll, suggesting AI edits on photos they had not yet uploaded. The pop-up asked users if they wanted to opt in for “cloud processing” to allow creative suggestion, but by saying yes, you are also agreeing to Meta’s AI Terms of Service, which allows your media and facial features to be analysed by AI.

Cybersecurity and account management 

You may think big tech companies come with big security, but they are not immune from glitches or hacking. In 2020, Google admitted a software bug resulted in some of its users' personal videos being emailed to strangers. 

In August this year, Google admitted that a cybercriminal organisation called ShinyHunters had compromised a database of accounts via the cloud services of Salesforce, potentially putting around 2.5 billion Gmail and Google Cloud users across the globe at risk of security breaches. The same month, security researchers also found a way hackers may have been able to gain access to Google Drive data through a ChatGPT integration.

Even though big tech companies often provide strong security measures, the safety of your data can depend just as much on how you manage your account. For example, sharing sensitive files by mistake or using a weak password can still leave your data exposed.

Did you know? Your photos include metadata - information about where the photo was taken and what day and time - which can hold sensitive information about where you live and even your child’s school. 

Missed backups or storage limits

This is one risk that perhaps isn’t as technically scary, but still a risk for families who wish to take care of their memories. Even with cloud syncing, your photos aren’t always automatically protected. Running out of storage space or missing a recent backup could mean some pictures aren’t saved. 

Make sure your cloud storage offers end-to-end encryption

What makes cloud storage secure?

The most important part of cloud storage security is encryption. Encryption scrambles your files into unreadable code so that only you (or people you choose) can view them.

The highest level of protection is end-to-end encryption, which means that not even the service provider can access your files.

It’s also worth checking who technically owns your data once you upload it. Most major providers state that you retain ownership - but some still reserve the right to analyse your files for advertising or AI purposes, including Big Tech companies like Meta and Google. If you’d rather avoid that altogether, look for a provider that doesn’t engage in any form of data scanning, like Proton Drive, who offer zero-access encryption.  

Why Proton Drive is different 

Proton Drive is a privacy-first cloud storage service designed to give families peace of mind. It offers end-to-end encryption by default, meaning your files stay completely private - even from Proton itself.

Unlike many big tech services, Proton Drive doesn’t use or analyse your photos for advertising or AI training. It’s owned by the non-profit Proton Foundation, whose sole mission is to advance digital privacy and freedom. There are also automatic back-ups and real-time syncing. It’s not just for photos or videos. The platform also offers Docs, which is an online document editor.

Plus, the company is based in Switzerland, where some of the world’s strongest data protection laws apply. These laws prevent personal data from being processed or shared without a clear legal reason.

Alongside privacy, Proton Drive offers practical benefits too:

• Automatic backups and real-time syncing to help prevent photo loss across multiple devices, including desktop and mobile

• 200GB of storage, enough for around 50,000 photos

• Access to Proton Docs, a secure online document editor

Keeping your digital family archive safe

Even with a secure service like Proton Drive, a few extra steps can help safeguard your family’s memories:

• Keep multiple copies of important photos - one in the cloud, one on an external hard drive, and perhaps even some printed versions.

• Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication for all accounts.

• Check your storage settings regularly to ensure automatic backups are running smoothly.

Can I stop companies from using my photos for AI training?

Some big tech services allow you to opt out of AI training, but for complete peace of mind, choosing a privacy-focused provider like Proton Drive means your files stay encrypted and entirely private by default.

About Proton Drive

Proton Drive was created with a vision to prioritise the privacy of its customers and allow true digital freedom. It enables you to stay connected while also keeping your personal data and identity private, keeping your risk of cybercrime reduced. 

About the author

Kat Romero is a writer and journalist with over a decade’s experience in the industry. As a working mum of a toddler, she knows all too well how important it is for families to protect their photos and videos. Away from her desk, Kat can be found consuming far too much coffee and spending her weekends with her toddler and partner - soaking up the sights of London and sampling anything new and exciting that has opened up within walking distance.