Cloud storage giants like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are incredible for collaboration and backup. But they are terrible for transferring secrets. Here is why switching to expiring links for sensitive data is a critical security upgrade.
1. The "Right Click > Share" Risk
When you share a Google Drive link, you often set permissions to "Anyone with the link can view." If you forget to revoke that access, that link remains valid forever. If that link ends up in a forwarded email chain or a leaked Slack history, your document is exposed.
Expiring links solve this by enforcing a deadline. The link will die, ensuring that past mistakes don't become future breaches.
2. Account Access vs. Link Access
Cloud storage usually requires the recipient to have an account or for you to manage complex Access Control Lists (ACLs). Expiring links are typically frictionless—the security is in the access token itself (the link), not the user identity. This is perfect for sending a one-off tax form to an accountant or a log file to a developer without onboard/offboarding them.
3. Metadata Retention
Cloud providers log everything: who accessed the file, when, from what IP, and often keep revisions of the file itself. Secure temporary sharing services like SnapSend are designed to be "log-free." We don't want to know who you are or what you are sharing. Once it's gone, the metadata vanishes too.
Conclusion
Use Cloud Storage for your family photos and working drafts. Use Expiring Links for your API keys, passwords, financial statements, and confidential legal docs. The right tool for the right job.