Every guide on this blog ends with some version of the same line: files are removed from the server automatically about an hour after processing. It is worth explaining what that actually means in practice, especially before uploading something genuinely sensitive — an ID document, a financial statement, a signed contract.
The short answer
A file you upload to any tool on the site — the PDF Compressor, Image Compressor, any of the conversion tools, the label croppers — is used only to produce the result you asked for. It is not reviewed, not shared, and not kept for any purpose beyond that. Both the file you uploaded and the result you downloaded are automatically deleted from the server on a fixed schedule, roughly an hour after processing, regardless of whether you have downloaded the result yet.
Why an hour, not instant deletion
Processing does not always finish the moment you close the browser tab — a slow connection, a large file, or simply stepping away before downloading are all normal. An hour gives a reasonable window to come back and get your result without needing to re-upload, while still keeping the window genuinely short. There is no option to extend this or to request a file be kept longer; the short retention window applies the same way to every upload.
What this means in practice
- Download promptly. Once you have the result you need, save it somewhere of your own — the server copy will not be available indefinitely.
- There is no account, so there is no file history. Nothing is tied to your identity or stored against a login, because there is no login at all for these tools.
- Nothing is used to train anything, sold, or analysed. The file exists only to be processed and handed back to you.
Sensitive documents specifically
For something like a passport photo, a bank statement, or a signed agreement, it is reasonable to want more than a general assurance. A few practical points: the upload and processing happen over an encrypted connection, the same as any well-configured website; the file is not opened or viewed by anyone as part of the automated process; and the deletion is automatic and scheduled, not something that depends on a person remembering to do it. If a document is sensitive enough that even a short-lived copy on any third-party server feels like too much risk, that is a reasonable line to draw for yourself — in that case, consider whether the specific task can be done offline instead.
What is not covered by this
This retention policy is about what happens to the file itself on the server used for processing. It does not extend to things outside that scope — for example, if you compress a document and then email it to someone, what happens to that email afterwards is between you and your mail provider, not something this site has any part in. Similarly, standard website analytics (page visits, which tool was used) are separate from the uploaded file content and do not include the file itself.
If you want extra peace of mind
For an especially sensitive file, a reasonable extra step is to download the result immediately, verify it opens and looks correct, and then move on — there is no benefit to leaving a browser tab open or delaying. If a task involves several sensitive documents, doing them one at a time (upload, process, download, confirm) rather than queuing several uploads at once is a small habit that keeps things tidy on your end too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I request my file be deleted immediately rather than waiting the hour?
There is no manual deletion request feature — the automatic schedule applies uniformly, and it is short enough that this is rarely a practical concern.
Is my file visible to anyone else while it is being processed?
No, processing is automated and files are not manually reviewed or made visible to other users.
Does creating an account change any of this?
There is no account system for these tools — every upload is anonymous and handled the same way regardless of who is using it.
What about files uploaded to the blog admin or other parts of the site?
This applies specifically to the document and image processing tools. Different parts of the site may have different, specific handling appropriate to their purpose.
Is this policy the same for every tool on the site?
Yes, the same short retention window applies consistently across the PDF tools, image tools, conversion tools and label croppers.