Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, OneDrive - cloud storage platforms hold your most important files. Generic SaaS terms don't address data ownership, deletion policies, encryption standards, or what happens if the service shuts down.
These clauses determine whether your data is truly yours
Who owns your uploaded files? What license are you granting the provider? Some terms include broad content licenses that may surprise you. Ownership must be explicit.
When you delete files, are they really gone? How long does the provider retain backups? Can they access "deleted" data for legal requests? Deletion policies matter.
Is data encrypted at rest and in transit? Who holds the encryption keys? Can the provider decrypt your files? Zero-knowledge encryption vs. provider-accessible storage.
What happens if the provider shuts down the service? How much notice do you get? What's the data export process? Your files shouldn't disappear overnight.
Who can access your files besides you? How does link sharing work? What permissions do collaborators get? Accidental exposure is a real risk.
If your account is terminated (for any reason), can you still retrieve your data? What's the grace period? Terms should guarantee post-termination access.
Beyond storage-specific provisions, I confirm these SaaS essentials are properly addressed
Availability guarantees and credits
Where servers are physically located
Redundancy and recovery options
Integration rights and limits
Notice for subscription increases
Export formats and tools
Caps on provider responsibility
Jurisdiction for disputes
Paste your Terms of Service below. I'll check storage provisions first, then SaaS essentials.
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