Is Canva Safe? Security Review
3/5
Overall Safety Score
★
★
★
★
★
Verdict: Canva is generally safe for graphic design work. A 2019 breach affecting 137 million users is concerning but the company has improved security since. Avoid uploading highly sensitive documents.
Canva is a cloud-based design platform used by over 170 million monthly active users for creating graphics, presentations, and visual content. It stores all designs in the cloud and has experienced a significant data breach.
Security Ratings Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 3/5 | |
| Privacy | 3/5 | |
| Track Record | 2/5 |
Security Features
- Two-factor authentication
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
- Encryption in transit and at rest
- SSO support for enterprise
- Design sharing controls
- Team permissions and access controls
Privacy Concerns
- All designs stored on Canva's cloud servers
- Uploaded images and content used to improve AI features
- Third-party integration data sharing
- Design content analyzed for content moderation
Past Security Incidents
- May 2019 breach exposed data of 137 million users including usernames, email addresses, names, cities, and bcrypt-hashed passwords
- Some users had partial payment data and Google OAuth tokens exposed
- Canva responded with mandatory password resets and security improvements
How to Stay Safe Using Canva
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Use a unique password for Canva
- Be cautious about uploading sensitive business documents
- Review sharing settings on designs
- Revoke access for unused team members
Safer Alternatives
- Figma (for professional design)
- Adobe Express (Adobe ecosystem)
Last updated: February 10, 2026