# Encrypt sensitive cloud storage

Practice ID: 13
Topic: `privacy` (privacy: Choices that limit unnecessary access, tracking, and exposure of personal information.)
Added: 2026-09-01
Journey entry point: `optimize` (Improve ownership, resilience, privacy, portability, and maintenance across the chosen system.)
Start with: `technical` (technical)
Supports: `privacy-clarity` (privacy clarity; group: `digital-control` / My data and digital setup)

## Pattern

Sensitive files need storage where the provider cannot read their contents.

## Practice

Use end-to-end encrypted storage, or encrypt sensitive files before placing them in the cloud.

## Start small

Choose one category of sensitive files and check whether the storage provider can read it.

## Watch out

Encryption without a tested recovery method can turn a provider failure into permanent data loss.

## Positions

See how these practices fit together: [Protect private data](https://live.freewith.tech/by/protecting-private-data.md).

## Related videos

- [how I avoid both surveillance and self-hosting hell](https://fwt.wtf/privacy-balance?utm_source=live.freewith.tech)

## Continue

- [See more in privacy.](https://live.freewith.tech/?topic=privacy#practices)
- [Journey](https://live.freewith.tech/journey.md)
- [Concepts](https://live.freewith.tech/concepts.md)
- [Complete agent-readable database](https://live.freewith.tech/llms.txt)