Your Data, Your Control
We implement a strict Zero Data Retention (ZDR) policy. All uploaded bank statements and converted files are automatically and permanently deleted within 24 hours. No exceptions.
What is Zero Data Retention?
Zero Data Retention (ZDR) is our commitment to minimising how long we hold your sensitive financial documents. Unlike services that store your files indefinitely, we automatically delete everything within 24 hours of upload.
What Gets Deleted?
- Original uploaded files - Your PDF bank statements
- Converted files - The Excel (.xlsx) and CSV exports we generate
- Temporary processing data - Any intermediate files created during conversion
The 24-Hour Window
When you upload a document:
- Your file is processed and converted immediately
- You have 24 hours to download your converted files
- After 24 hours, all files are permanently deleted
- Deleted files cannot be recovered - not even by us
Why 24 Hours?
We chose 24 hours as the optimal balance between giving you enough time to download your files and minimising how long sensitive financial data exists on our servers. This window allows for time zone differences and gives you flexibility while maintaining strict security.
Why We Do This
Bank statements contain highly sensitive information including:
- Account numbers and sort codes
- Transaction history and spending patterns
- Names and addresses
- Financial balances
By automatically deleting this data, we reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure your financial information doesn't persist on external servers longer than necessary.
What We Don't Delete
Our ZDR policy applies to your uploaded documents. The following data is retained separately:
- Account information - Your email, name, and preferences (required for your account to function)
- Usage records - Page counts and timestamps (required for billing and quotas)
- Payment records - Transaction history (required by UK tax law for 7 years)
None of this retained data includes the actual content of your bank statements.
Technical Implementation
Our ZDR policy is enforced through:
- Automated deletion jobs - Run continuously to remove expired files
- No backup retention - Deleted files are not included in backups
- Secure erasure - Files are securely overwritten, not just marked as deleted
Your Responsibilities
To make the most of our service under the ZDR policy:
- Download promptly - Don't wait until the last minute
- Save locally - Store converted files on your own secure systems
- Re-upload if needed - If you need to convert the same file again, simply upload it again
Questions?
If you have questions about our Zero Data Retention policy, please contact us:
Email: privacy@ukstatementconverter.co.uk
See also: Full Privacy Policy