Google Drive can support HIPAA compliance only when it is used through a Google Workspace or Google Cloud offering that is covered by a signed Business Associate Agreement and is configured and managed to meet HIPAA requirements.
HIPAA Compliance Status Depends on the Product And Agreement
Consumer Google Drive accounts are not designed to be used for regulated protected health information workflows because a Business Associate Agreement is not available for consumer services. A HIPAA Covered Entity or Business Associate should use Google services for protected health information only when the specific services are included under an executed Business Associate Agreement and are administered through an enterprise environment.
HIPAA compliance is not created by using a brand name storage tool. HIPAA compliance depends on whether the organization has a valid agreement in place, limits protected health information to covered services, and implements administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that meet the HIPAA Security Rule.
Shared Responsibility for Safeguards
Google provides controls and capabilities within eligible enterprise services, but the HIPAA Covered Entity or Business Associate remains responsible for configuring and operating those controls. Customer responsibilities include identity and access management, account provisioning and termination, access review processes, authentication settings, endpoint controls, and monitoring and response processes.
Customer responsibilities also include policies and procedures under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, including role-based access aligned with job duties and the HIPAA Minimum Necessary Rule. Workforce training and sanction policies remain organizational responsibilities.
Configuration Controls that Affect HIPAA Compliance
A compliant use of Google Drive requires administrative controls that restrict sharing and external access, limit link-based sharing, and prevent unauthorized downloads or transfers where controls support those outcomes. Access controls should require unique user identification, strong authentication, and administrative oversight of account activity.
Audit logging and monitoring need to be enabled and reviewed to support detection of inappropriate access, improper sharing, and anomalous activity. Data retention and deletion controls should align with legal, operational, and contract requirements, and protected health information should not be copied into unmanaged locations or personal accounts.
Operational Limits and Common Failure Modes
Google Drive becomes a compliance risk when protected health information is stored in services that are not covered by the Business Associate Agreement, when sharing settings allow broad external access, or when accounts are not managed through centralized administration. Misconfigured permissions, link sharing without restrictions, unmanaged devices, and weak authentication controls create disclosure and access risks that can trigger evaluation under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule.
Organizations using Google Drive for protected health information should document which Google services are approved for protected health information, enforce configuration baselines, and maintain training and monitoring procedures that match the organization’s risk profile and workflows.