What it means
Google Drive can disable download, print and copy options for viewers and commenters. This changes ordinary interface controls but does not make displayed text impossible to photograph, retype or describe. The file's audience and Editor roles still matter.
A real-world example
A draft contract opens for a reviewer without a Download button. The reviewer can still read the terms, so it would be wrong to treat the document as hidden from that person.
What to do
Share only the portion required for the task, narrow the access list, and use the export restriction as an extra guard against casual duplication.
The distinction that matters
A parent folder or organization rule may override what an owner expects from a file setting. Google explicitly states that it cannot stop other ways of sharing content, which is why permission review comes first. Test with a viewer account instead of trusting the owner's view.
Google's sharing-control limits
