> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://gladia-95-docs-clarify-data-retention-by-plan.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. You have two main options for data retention:

* **Standard data retention:** Your data (audio files, transcripts, and metadata) remains accessible for a set period. Defaults and customization options vary by plan (see below).
* **Zero data retention:** Data storage is minimized at all stages, avoiding temporary storage whenever possible. All data is deleted immediately after processing. Available on **Enterprise** only.

## Standard data retention by plan

| Plan           | Default retention | Custom retention                    |
| -------------- | ----------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Free**       | 12 months         | Not available                       |
| **Starter**    | 3 weeks           | Not available                       |
| **Growth**     | 3 weeks           | Yes — minimum **24 hours**          |
| **Enterprise** | 3 weeks           | Yes — including zero data retention |

<Info>
  Custom retention periods are available on **Growth** and **Enterprise**. Zero data retention is available on **Enterprise** only. Contact [support](https://www.gladia.io/contact) to configure a custom retention period.
</Info>

To enable usage tracking, Gladia retains essential API metadata: request ID, timestamp, processing status and audio duration. Immutable logs are also maintained, for a limited period, to ensure 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.