Photo Deletion Q&A: Please kindly see below some common questions you may have in regards to our photo deletion policy.
Can I recover my photos now that they have been deleted?
Once photos are removed due to account inactivity, the deletion is permanent. To ensure data security and privacy, files are purged from our active servers and backups, making them unrecoverable.
I am willing to pay a fee to restore my photos. Is there a way to do this?
Unfortunately, because the data has been fully purged from our systems to comply with privacy standards, there is no way to restore the files once they’ve been deleted.
Is there a "Recently Deleted" folder or a trash bin where I can find them?
To ensure the protection of your data, our system performs a permanent purge rather than moving files to a temporary folder. Once the notice period ends, the images are wiped entirely from our system.
I have a link to a shared album, but the photos won't load. Why?
If the account that originally hosted those photos has been cleared due to inactivity, the source files no longer exist. While the link may remain in your history, the images cannot be displayed.
I never received any of the reminder emails. Why wasn't I warned?
You’ll always receive three notifications via email, prior to the deletion of any photos on your account. Please ensure your email is up to date, and check your safe senders list to ensure you can receive our communications.
Why was I not notified via text message or a phone call?
Per our Terms and Conditions, email is the official channel for all account-related notifications, including policy updates and storage alerts.
My email address changed, so I missed the alerts. Can you make an exception?
Because the deletion is an automated system process triggered by the storage policy, we are unable to manually reverse the deletion, even in cases where the notification emails were not viewed.
How can I ensure I don't miss these emails in the future?
Please add our support email address to your "Safe Senders" list. We also recommend logging in periodically to review your account dashboard and order history.
Why does (Photobox) delete photos at all?
To continue providing high-quality, secure hosting for our active community, we require accounts to stay active. This allows us to manage server resources responsibly for all users.
Is this storage policy legal and part of the agreement?
Yes. The storage policy is part of our Terms and Conditions agreed to upon account creation. We send multiple notifications to keep you informed of your account status.
Can I still use my account to upload new photos?
Absolutely. Your account remains open and ready for new memories. You can read more about our storage policy here to understand how your new photos will be stored with us.
How do I know when my next 18-month deadline is?
You can find your last activity date by visiting the "My Orders" section of your account. The 18-month window begins from the date of your most recent completed purchase.
If I download or organise my photos, does that count as "activity"?
While downloading is a great way to back up your memories, the storage policy specifically requires a purchase to maintain your storage.