> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://gladia-95-support-t-4400-data-retention-defaults.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Data retention

> Data retention policies and zero data behavior

To provide transcription services, Gladia processes several types of data:

* **Audio input**: Audio files or audio streams provided for transcription
* **Transcription output**: Text, timestamps, words, utterances
* **API Metadata**: Request IDs, timestamps, processing status
* **Logs**: Operational logs for system reliability

The duration for which your data is stored depends on your plan type. You have two main options for data retention:

* **Standard data retention:** Data is stored according to the default windows below (by plan and data type). Audio files and transcripts remain retrievable through the API and the [Gladia playground](https://app.gladia.io/?utm_campaign=197609689-Website\&utm_source=documentation\&utm_content=sign-up) for that window. Enterprise customers can request a custom retention period. The minimum custom value is 0, which means data is deleted within 24 hours.
* **Zero data retention:** Data storage is minimized at all stages, avoiding temporary storage whenever possible. All data is deleted immediately after processing.

<Info>
  Only Enterprise users are eligible for custom data retention and the zero data retention option.
</Info>

## Default retention by plan

### Free

By default, Free accounts retain **all** data types for **1 year**:

| Data type            | Default retention |
| -------------------- | ----------------- |
| Audio input          | 1 year            |
| Transcription output | 1 year            |
| API Metadata         | 1 year            |
| Logs                 | 1 year            |

### Paid (Starter, Growth, Enterprise)

By default, paid accounts keep audio and transcripts for a shorter window, while essential API metadata is retained longer for usage tracking:

| Data type            | Default retention | What is retained                                        |
| -------------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Audio input          | 3 weeks           | Audio files or audio streams provided for transcription |
| Transcription output | 3 weeks           | Text, timestamps, words, utterances                     |
| API Metadata         | 1 year            | Request IDs, timestamps, and processing status only     |
| Logs                 | Limited period    | Operational logs for service quality and reliability    |

## Zero Data Retention behavior

When Zero Data Retention is enabled, Gladia processes data ephemerally; no data is stored at rest.

* **No audio files are stored**: Files cannot be retrieved through the API or in the [Gladia's playground](https://app.gladia.io/?utm_campaign=197609689-Website\&utm_source=documentation\&utm_content=sign-up). File upload is also disabled; the asynchronous API must use an external audio file url, such as S3 presigned url.
* **No transcripts are stored**: Transcription results cannot be retrieved through the API and are not visible in the [Gladia's playground](https://app.gladia.io/?utm_campaign=197609689-Website\&utm_source=documentation\&utm_content=sign-up).
* **No metadata retrieval**: Transcription API calls, audio duration, and other metadata cannot be retrieved through the API or in the [Gladia's playground](https://app.gladia.io/?utm_campaign=197609689-Website\&utm_source=documentation\&utm_content=sign-up).
* **Transcription results delivered only via callbacks**: The only way to receive transcription results is through callbacks; they cannot be retrieved by any other means.

Once the result is delivered, the audio, transcript, and metadata cannot be accessed.