An information processing apparatus capable of collecting electronic data efficiently and avoiding sharing highly confidential and secure electronic data with an indefinite number of users. The information processing apparatus is connected to an external apparatus through a network. The information processing apparatus receives electronic data from the external apparatus, registers attribute information related to the received electronic data in association with the received electronic data so that the received electronic data can be retrieved by using the attribute information, and controls the registering unit so as to register the attribute information related to the received electronic data when the received electronic data is not confidential data, and so as not to register the attribute information related to the received electronic data when the received electronic data is confidential data.