Dropbox, a prominent cloud storage provider, has taken a decisive step by terminating its unlimited storage option for Advanced users. This decision comes in response to an unprecedented surge in customers buying Advanced subscriptions for illegitimate purposes, such as cryptocurrency mining, personal use cases, or reselling storage. As a result, the company observed a substantial increase in storage consumption, putting a significant strain on the platform and creating an unreliable experience for other customers.
The policy change is a direct response to the fact that Dropbox’s Advanced plan was intended for legitimate business or organizational use, not for providing unlimited storage for any use case. The company acknowledges that it is unrealistic to constantly monitor and distinguish between “acceptable” and “unacceptable” use cases. Therefore, Dropbox has opted for a metered model to ensure that customers use the storage service for its intended purpose.
Under the new system, customers with active licenses in their Dropbox Advanced plan will receive a combined 15TB of storage space, which can be shared by a team. Each additional active license will grant an additional 5TB of storage. Interestingly, more than 99% of Advanced customers currently using less than 35TB of storage per license will be able to maintain their current storage amount, plus an additional 5TB credit of pooled storage for five years. Customers using 35TB or more of storage per license will be able to continue using their existing storage amount, up to a maximum of 1,000TB, without any additional cost to their existing plan.
Dropbox Ends Unlimited Storage for Advanced Users Amid Surge in Misuse
However, the company intends to contact these customers to discuss suitable limited-storage plans. New customers will be able to purchase storage add-ons starting September 18, while existing customers can do so starting November 1. Dropbox will migrate existing customers to the new policy on November 1, providing at least 30 days’ notice before the planned migration date.
This change is a response to rival services, such as Google, making similar policy adjustments regarding storage. The move may prompt users who are relying on Dropbox’s unlimited storage option to explore alternative services that meet their needs.
Dropbox’s decision to terminate its unlimited storage option for Advanced users is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and sustainability of the service for all customers. While it may be inconvenient for some users, the new policy is designed to promote fair and responsible use of the platform. By introducing a metered model, Dropbox can ensure that customers have access to the storage they need while preventing abuse and maintaining the stability of the service.
