A fter a certain free cloud storage service was forced to close down by regulatory authorities for illegally distributing copyrighted content, concerns were raised as users started to cry foul as they lost their personal files as well, much of which was not in any sort of copyright violation.
This crackdown illustrates a point that all users of a free cloud storage service should know. Anyone who decides to store his or her personal files on a remote server that is operated by someone else runs the risk of losing important files as the service in question runs afoul of government authorities cracking down on digital pirates. Even more importantly, relying on a cloud storage service means that users need to be very careful about picking a service that they can trust with their online data.
While it is not immediately apparent how many people relied on the free cloud storage service to store non-copyright violating personal files, but because of some subversive elements everyone had to suffer.
This is precisely the reason why each free cloud storage service has terms and conditions of service that very clearly specify that users need to back up their content after a specified number of days otherwise they run the risk of deletion by the service. This rule may be relaxed for paying customers, provided they kept paying their membership fees on time.
It is for this reason that anyone who makes use of any sort of free cloud storage services to store their data, be it in violation of copyright or not, would be better off backing up their data on another service or on their own storage medium since there is no telling when your favorite cloud storage service provider may be on the copyright violation list of regulatory authorities in your country. So be careful before you make a decision.
Words of Caution When You Decide to Rely on a Free Cloud Storage Service