Google Drive Files Gone Missing Due To a Bug In The Desktop App

Google Drive is one of the best cloud storage options available and is open to the public. However, according to a trending support thread on Google’s support forums, users have reported that some of their files have started to disappear from the service in recent months. Furthermore, since none of these files were deleted manually, they don’t appear in the platform’s recycling bin feature and thus cannot be recovered (so far).

Early on in the investigation, many speculated that the files vanished due to a hacker attack, but this isn’t the case. According to a thorough investigation, it has been concluded that the issue stems from the Google Drive app for desktop, which affects users regardless of whether their system is Windows or Mac. With that said, users on the browser variation of the service can rest easy.

It was also discovered that the bug would eliminate the data from the account, almost reverting the account back to a state before that data was made. Unfortunately, there’s no explanation for it so far, but Google has confirmed that this problem is related to a syncing issue seen in the recently rolled-out v84.0.0.0 through 84.0.4.0 of Drive.

Although this issue affects – as Google puts it – a “limited subset of Drive for desktop users,” it is recommended to backup all important files and documentation. Furthermore, the company has warned users to avoid disconnecting their Google account from the Drive on desktop, and that they should not tamper with the “DriveFS” folder that’s locally found on their machines in any way, shape, or form.

Spotify: K-Pop Tracks Gone Because Of License Expiry

If you listen to K-pop on Spotify, you may notice many of your favourite tracks are now gone. The company has since issued an official statement explaining why this is the case. And it all boils down to the expiry of its streaming license agreement with the distributor.

According to Korean outlet Yonhap News, a Spotify spokesperson said that its original licensing agreement with Korean music distributor Kakao M expires today, on 1 March. And with that, the former has to remove tracks distributed by the latter. The company also claims that it has been trying to renew the license, but couldn’t get to an agreement.

The company also notes that the license expiry has nothing to do with the fact that Spotify launched in South Korea just last month. And the launch puts it in direct competition with Kakao M’s own streaming service, Melon.

This is a massive hit for both fans of K-pop who use Spotify, and the company itself. Kakao M is a major distributor of music in South Korea. For reference, it distributed 37.5% of the top 400 songs in the country’s Gaon Music Chart. And this is just following the streaming service’s initial announcement of its upcoming HiFi subscription tier.