> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/de-digger.md). # de-digger Tool Description : A specialist search and discovery engine for finding publicly accessible files on Google Drive. | **de-digger** | **Quick Overview** | | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | URL | | | What it does | Searches for publicly accessible files on Google Drive. | | How to use it | Enter keywords or search operators and review the returned public files. | | Cost | Free. | | Account required | No. | | Cookies | Google cookies including security, consent and search localisation cookies. | | Ownership | Not publicly disclosed. | | Use in Reporting | Useful for discovering publicly exposed documents and files that may provide investigative leads or supporting evidence. | ### What does de-digger do? de-digger is a specialist search engine designed to find public files hosted on Google Drive. The service explains that Google Drive doesn’t provide a straightforward way to search publicly accessible files, so de-digger provides a dedicated search interface for this purpose. It can search using normal keywords as well as operators that narrow results by phrase, file type or content. **The lowdown:** It’s a focused search for public Google Drive files. ### How to Use: **1. Enter a relevant keyword, name, organisation or phrase into the search field.** **2. Refine the search using operators such as OR, quotation marks, -, file extensions or intext:. For example, brazil OR brasil, "Brazil Digital Report", \*.rar or intext:brazil.** **3. Review the results, open relevant public files and verify the information against the original document and additional sources before using it in reporting.** ### Cost * [x] Free * [ ] Partially Free * [ ] Paid ## Data Processing ### Account Required: * [ ] Yes * [x] No ### Cookies: Google cookies are present because de-digger uses Google Custom Search, including security, consent and search localisation cookies. Some may process information such as search preferences or approximate location. ### Use in Reporting de-digger is useful for: * Finding publicly accessible documents and files on Google Drive. * Locating reports, presentations, spreadsheets and datasets. * Searching for documents connected to people, organisations or investigations. * Identifying potentially exposed information for further verification. * Pivoting from discovered documents to names, organisations, domains and other leads. * Preserving the original Google Drive URL and document details when using a finding in reporting. | **Capabilities** | **Limitations** | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Searches specifically for publicly accessible Google Drive files. | Limited to content that is publicly accessible and indexed. | | Supports OR, exact phrases and exclusion searches. | It cannot access genuinely private or permission restricted files. | | Can filter searches by file type.Can search for terms within document titles or body text using intext:. | Results depend on Google Custom Search and its indexing. | | Particularly useful for document focused OSINT investigations. | Not every public Google Drive file will necessarily be indexed or returned. | |


| Finding a file does not establish its authenticity, accuracy, ownership or provenance. | ### Summary de-digger fits best into the discovery and collection stages of the OSINT workflow, particularly when an investigation involves locating documents or files that may not surface easily through conventional searches. It can also support pivoting, as a discovered document may provide names, organisations, dates, locations, email addresses, domains or other information that can be investigated elsewhere. **Note:** The tool should be treated as a lead generation and discovery mechanism rather than an evidence source in itself. ### Ownership The de-digger website identifies the project through @dedigger1 and provides limited public information about the individual or organisation behind the service. ### Ethical Considerations * Publicly accessible does not automatically mean information is appropriate to download, retain or publish. * Check whether files contain personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information. * Respect copyright and intellectual property rights. * Do not attempt to bypass permissions or access controls. * Verify the provenance and authenticity of documents before relying on them. * Minimise the collection and retention of unnecessary personal information. * de-digger explicitly states that finding a file does not grant permission to download, copy or use it and places responsibility for lawful use on the user. ### Related Tools: * Google Custom Search * FileChef * FilePursuit * SearchFiles.de #### Sources