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I deleted my Dropbox Backup but files still are still accessible through the 'Recents' filter

Hi,

In my main account, I've deleted a Backup (proper Backup; a computer that was registered there).

Today, when exploring the "Recents" filtering on the Home page, I see the name of that computer, folders and files within are still there! I can even open and visualize them.

Even though they were supposed to be wiped; when I delete the whole Backup and confirm, they are not supposed to be stored under the retention period. Also, I don't see them anywhere else; not in Deleted Files; not in dropbox.com/backups, so there is no way to restore them or properly delete them.

When selecting those files in questions from the Recents filter, the only options I get are "File Info" and "File Activity", so Dropbox "knows" that those files are supposed to not exist anymore and, hence, it won't let me do anything. When you right click other; existing files there, you get all the options like Open, Share, Delete, etc.

In summary, this is clearly a (serious) bug:

Those files should have been completely removed when I deleted the Backup
They shouldn't show up in Recents list as a leftover
Serious privacy issue, as not only they show there as some useless remnants, I get a thumbnail preview of them and I can double click to open! You are clearly storing my data I chose to delete!

As a side note, why can't we clear or selectively remove items from the Recents list; nor on the Web or the App? I've seen some posts from years ago. Is this ever going to be addressed? All the other main players (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) allow that, so why do I have to see stuff I don't want in my Recents filtering "forever" (or until they get cycled out; which I couldn't find any documentation on how many files you keep there)

Thanks.

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Timmy256

Adding some screen captures. First one, one of those deleted files (notice no options available to execute on it). Second, a proper; existing files (notice how the options now appear).

The platform knows that those files are supposed to be deleted and is clever enough to not show the options; yet the files shouldn't be there in the first place.

And I'm not even talking about "true" deletion and how long / how can I trust you actually deleting my data someday / feeding into NSA... I would be just happy to get lied to and not see my "deleted" files in the Recents filter! This is clear proof you might be keeping files longer than needed (hopefully actually erasing them some day) and is another hit to trusting you and a big consideration for subscription renewal.

Jay

Hi @Timmy256, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Could you try going into your Dropbox Backup page clicking 'Show deleted backups', and then click the ellipsis next to the deleted backup to permanently delete it?

Does the backup still appear on the Recent filter after the permanent deletion?

Regarding your query about removing items from the Recents list, currently, there isn't a method to selectively remove items from this list, although the list would be gradually overwritten when any file is recently accessed or edited.

This will help me to assist further.

Timmy256

Thanks for your prompt reply @Jay. I'm disappointed that you changed the title of the post, since this is indeed a Privacy Bug/Concern.

I don't see any "Show Deleted Backups" option. Under "Manage Backups", this is all I see:

More erratic behavior related to these "deleted" files.

On mobile app, in Recents, it allows me to add one of those folders to the Home page. Then, it shows as empty or gives a message saying that the content in that folder can't be displayed

On mobile app, trying to preview on of those files (the PDF here) throws an error. On the Web, it opens and allows downloading perfectly (i.e. proof you are storing data that was supposed to be "deleted"). The Apple logo shown is the backup I deleted that holds these folders and files.

Jay

Thanks for the info. Could you attach a screenshot showing the whole screen on the Dropbox Backup page when viewing it from the Dropbox site?

Timmy256

Sure; here it is.

Timmy256

Adding more info, I think something is severely messed up. I don't know if that "Unlinked" status in my current Backup is related. I've found a few threads here but no solution offered on 1) What it actually means 2) How to "relink"

Summary; I purchased the subscription in January. Create an initial Backup named "Backup 1" (example). Deleted it a few days after.

This week, I created a new Backup named "Backup 2". In the Dropbox application / Backup settings, it called to my attention that on the sidebar it didn't show this name I gave; instead is showing the name of the old Backup (BTW, it's a different computer, so no remnants of previous Dropbox configuration there; was a fresh install).

When browsing the "Recents" filter on the Web and pinpointing those orphaned files, as mentioned, I can view/download them on the Web. I can also open its "File Location". When doing so, it takes me to the Backup screen; inside the "Backup 2" folder; obviously the file isn't there.

TL;DR; I think something messed up and Dropbox thinks mixed the two Backups together OR it thinks that the new Backups has those files (why would opening the file location take me to the new Backup URL I made?) OR a combination of all these; when I deleted "Backup 1" it messed up; when I created "Backup 2" it created on top of "Backup 1" (or something; lacking the words to explain this) and now both are entangled or related together.

Potential solution could be deleting "Backup 2" and creating "Backup 3", to see if it fixes this, but you can agree this whole thing is a trust mess; I've lost all confidence in Dropbox actually working as a backup tool if it failed so strongly after a few days of creating the account and with placeholder folders. All platforms messed; each one of them with their own erratic behavior; nothing on Dropbox desktop client shows any errors (Sync log reports OK; Backup screen shows OK - even after manually clicking the button to "Backup"; all the while the web report Status = Unlinked)

Do you have any idea what is going on here @Jay?

Megan

Hey @Timmy256!

At this point I think the best case scenario would be to investigate further via email, since I'm going to need some account specific info on my end to figure out the best way to assist you.

Reply back to me, and we'll take it from there. Thanks!

Timmy256

Thanks @Nancy. Do you have answer for those questions I left?

How long the "Recents" filter show items in it? Rolling window by amount of items or by age?
Why web app shows a subset of the same "Recents" I see on mobile or desktop client? Shouldn't all be the same everywhere?

Thanks.

Timmy256

@Nancy @Megan @Jay

Do you have an answer to my last two questions?

Thanks.

Neal

Hi @Timmy256,

Apologies for the wait! I'm currently trying to track down this information for you and as soon as I have an update, I'll let you know.

Neal

Thanks for your patience @Timmy256!

So in regards to how many items the recents tab shows and for how long, it looks up to 90 days and counts up to 20 items.

And in regards to the the mobile vs web display, they don't use the same endpoints so they display different results.

Timmy256

Thanks @Neal for taking the time to track this down internally and reply.

So it would be safe to say that, for example, after 90 days of no activity in the account, the "Recents" filters would be empty?

Neal

Hi @Timmy256,

To the best of my knowledge, yes, that would be the case!