Data retention and deletion

Every category of data has its own retention period — no more, no less. Here are the periods applied at Everabyte, and the erasure model that makes deletion genuinely definitive.

In short

Deleted files: 30 days in the trash, then permanently purged. Backups: a rolling 90-day cycle. Billing records: 7 years (UK tax law). Login attempts: 90 days. Support tickets: 3 years. Account: a 14-day grace period after a deletion request, then permanent closure.

Retention periods

Data	Period
Deleted files (trash)	30 days, then permanent purge
Backups	Rolling 90-day cycle
Login attempts	90 days
Support tickets	3 years
Billing records	7 years (UK tax law)
Account after deletion request	14-day grace period, then permanent closure

Deleting a file: the trash and the purge

A deleted file stays in the trash for 30 days, where it can be recovered — see our article on recovering a deleted file. After that, it is permanently purged.

The erasure model: destroy the key

We delete files by destroying the encryption key. From that moment, the ciphertext is permanently unreadable — including in any backup still in rotation. Rather than chasing every copy, this erasure makes the data unreadable everywhere it exists.

Deleting your account

Account deletion opens a 14-day grace period. At the end of that period, the account is permanently closed. To exercise your erasure rights, see our article on your UK GDPR rights.

Common issues

Can I cancel my account deletion?

During the 14-day grace period, yes; after that, closure is permanent.

How long do you keep my billing data?

7 years, in line with UK tax law.

Can a purged file reappear from a backup?

No: the purge destroys the encryption key, making the ciphertext permanently unreadable, including in any backup still in rotation.

How long do you keep my login attempts?

90 days.