Privacy Policy

DriveSearch · Last updated 14 July 2026

DriveSearch is a macOS app that searches the files in your Google Drive accounts. It runs entirely on your Mac. There is no DriveSearch server, and I never receive your data.

The short version: DriveSearch only ever receives the names of your files. It cannot read, download, or store the contents of any file — the permission it asks for does not allow that.

What DriveSearch accesses

When you connect a Google account, DriveSearch asks for one Drive permission:

drive.metadata.readonly — “View metadata for files in your Drive”

It also receives your email address (openid, email) purely so it can label which account each search result came from.

This permission lets DriveSearch see file names, types, folders, modification dates, and the link that opens a file in your browser. It does not permit reading or downloading file contents, and DriveSearch does not attempt to.

About “search inside file contents”

DriveSearch has an optional setting that matches your search words against the text inside your documents. This is done by Google’s own search index: DriveSearch sends your search words to Google, and Google replies with the names of files that match. The contents of those files are never sent to DriveSearch, and DriveSearch could not read them even if it tried.

Where your data goes

Nowhere but your Mac and Google. Search queries go directly from your computer to Google’s API. Results are displayed and then discarded.
No servers. DriveSearch has no backend. I operate no service that could receive your data.
No analytics, no telemetry, no tracking of any kind.
Nothing is shared or sold to anyone. There are no third parties.

What is stored, and where

Sign-in tokens are stored in the macOS Keychain on your Mac, encrypted by the operating system.
Your settings (shortcut, preferences) are stored in a file on your Mac.
No file contents are ever stored. Search results live in memory only, and disappear when you close the window.

Removing access

You can disconnect an account at any time from the DriveSearch menu, which deletes its token from your Keychain. You can also revoke DriveSearch entirely from your Google Account at myaccount.google.com/permissions.

Limited Use disclosure

DriveSearch’s use and transfer of information received from Google APIs to any other app will adhere to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

Children

DriveSearch is a productivity tool for general audiences and is not directed at children under 13.

Changes

If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted on this page with a new date.

Contact

Questions about privacy or this policy: support@chrismonk.net