File privacy and retention
Understand browser-local checks, server processing, temporary storage, and anonymous processing totals.
Updated
Where files go
Browser-local checks inspect files in your browser. They do not need a file upload for that operation. A server conversion sends the selected file to AttachReady and its media processor. Choose the workflow appropriate for the sensitivity of your material, and do not upload files you lack permission to process.
Guest server results return directly to the browser and are not saved as account uploads or job history. Temporary media-processor files are cleaned up after processing. Account input files and generated artifacts are stored temporarily in object storage and scoped to the account that created them. API keys use the same ownership checks.
Expiration is distinct from physical deletion
Account tool uploads and artifacts expire after 24 hours. Expired files are rejected by lookup, processing and download endpoints. Scheduled cleanup runs in batches every 15 minutes; the storage lifecycle provides a two-day fallback. Physical deletion is therefore not guaranteed at the exact expiry second. Download what you need before expiry and keep your originals elsewhere.
What the homepage counter means
The public counter records successfully processed input-file occurrences on the server. Merging three PDFs adds three PDFs. Converting two images to a PDF adds two images. Reprocessing the same file as a new successful task counts again; it is not a count of unique people or unique files.
Failed or cancelled tasks, repeated status checks, and idempotent job replays do not increment the counter. Pure browser-local operations are excluded. The counter begins when collection was enabled; no historical totals are invented. Anonymous counts contain no file content, filenames, email addresses or IP addresses and remain after account/file deletion. Brief caching means displayed numbers may lag. If guest reporting fails, a completed download still succeeds, so totals can undercount.
For privacy requests, email support@attachready.com. See the privacy policy for the broader account and service policy.