Retention at a glance
| Guest uploads (no account) | Automatically removed within a couple of hours |
|---|---|
| Account files | Kept per your retention setting (default: until you delete) |
| Retention options | A week up to a year, or keep-until-deleted |
| Manual deletion | Delete any file yourself at any time |
| After deletion | Soft-deleted files are permanently purged after ~30 days |
| In transit | Encrypted (TLS) |
Set your retention window
On an account, you choose how long transcripts and their source files are kept. The window is configurable — options range from a short period (about a week) up to a year, and there is a keep-until-deleted option. Change it in your account settings; it applies going forward.
Delete files yourself
You can delete any transcript and its source audio at any time from your library. Deletion first removes the file from your view (soft delete); the underlying data is then permanently purged after roughly 30 days by an automated cleanup process.
Guest uploads
If you transcribe without an account, the upload is temporary — guest files are cleaned up automatically within a couple of hours. Create an account if you want to keep, revisit, or export a transcript.
Your content is not used to train AI
Your recordings and transcripts are not used to train AI models. Processing partners operate under no-training API terms. See the Privacy Policy for the full data-handling details, including how data is processed and your rights under GDPR.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you keep my transcripts?
As long as your retention setting says — from about a week up to a year, or until you delete them (the default). Guest uploads are removed within a couple of hours.
Can I delete a file permanently?
Yes. Delete it from your library; the data is permanently purged after roughly 30 days.
Do you use my audio to train AI?
No. Your content is not used to train AI models, and processing partners operate under no-training terms.
What happens to files I upload without an account?
They are temporary and cleaned up automatically within a couple of hours.
Where is the full policy?
The Privacy Policy has the complete data-handling terms, retention details, and your rights.
Related resources
Reviewed by the TranscribeThis product team · Last updated: July 2026