{
  "slug": "dropbox",
  "name": "Dropbox",
  "maker": "Dropbox",
  "category": "files",
  "verdict": "n",
  "answer": "No. Dropbox can read the files you keep in Dropbox. They're encrypted on the way and on Dropbox's servers, but Dropbox manages the keys.",
  "title": "Is Dropbox encrypted? Who can read your files",
  "description": "Dropbox can read the files you keep in Dropbox. They're encrypted, but Dropbox manages the keys. Sealed folders are for some business teams only.",
  "parts": [
    {
      "key": "folder",
      "status": "n",
      "words": "Dropbox can read it",
      "note": "Files are encrypted on Dropbox's servers, and Dropbox says it manages the keys on your behalf.",
      "sources": [
        1
      ],
      "label": "Your photos and files"
    },
    {
      "key": "share",
      "status": "n",
      "words": "Dropbox can read it",
      "note": "Shared links and folders are stored the same way, and Dropbox scans shared content for malware.",
      "sources": [
        1
      ],
      "label": "Shared links and albums"
    },
    {
      "key": "pq",
      "status": "x",
      "words": "Not yet",
      "note": "No post-quantum protection announced as of 25 October 2026.",
      "sources": [
        1
      ],
      "label": "Post-quantum"
    }
  ],
  "extra_parts": [],
  "keys": "Dropbox manages the keys to your files.",
  "can_see": "Your files themselves, which Dropbox scans for harmful content, and for malware when they're shared.",
  "business": "On business plans, admins on Dropbox Business Plus, Advanced and Enterprise can create end-to-end encrypted team folders that Dropbox can't open, though file names stay visible.",
  "fix": null,
  "fix_line": null,
  "sections": [
    {
      "id": "can-dropbox-see-my-files",
      "q": "Can Dropbox see my files?",
      "a": "Yes. Dropbox says your files are encrypted on its servers, and that it manages the file encryption keys on your behalf, to keep things simple and to power its features [1].\n\nDropbox also says it scans to keep harmful content off its service, and checks files for malware when they're shared outside your account [1]."
    },
    {
      "id": "is-dropbox-end-to-end-encrypted",
      "q": "Is Dropbox end-to-end encrypted?",
      "a": "Only for some business teams. Admins on the Business Plus, Advanced and Enterprise plans can create end-to-end encrypted team folders [2]. Dropbox says only the folder's members hold the keys, not Dropbox, but file names and other details stay visible [2].\n\nThose folders lose shared links, previews and search inside files, and don't work in the Dropbox mobile app [2]. Dropbox's plans page doesn't list end-to-end encryption for the free Basic plan or for Plus [3]."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Dropbox Security Whitepaper (version 2026.03)",
      "publisher": "Dropbox",
      "url": "https://assets.dropbox.com/www/en-us/business/solutions/solutions/dfb_security_whitepaper.pdf",
      "read": "2026-10-25"
    },
    {
      "title": "Encrypted team folders: an overview (Dropbox Help)",
      "publisher": "Dropbox",
      "url": "https://help.dropbox.com/security/encrypted-team-folders",
      "read": "2026-10-25"
    },
    {
      "title": "Find your Dropbox plan",
      "publisher": "Dropbox",
      "url": "https://www.dropbox.com/plans",
      "read": "2026-10-25"
    }
  ],
  "changes": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-25",
      "text": "First published."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "google-drive",
    "onedrive",
    "icloud",
    "google-photos"
  ],
  "url": "https://isitencrypted.com/dropbox/",
  "checked": "2026-10-25"
}