PSA: Claude's 'Delete Files' button is broken: 2+ months of data stuck on their servers
The problem: The delete button for uploaded files in Settings → Privacy → Uploaded Files does not work. Click the trash bin, and a 'deleting' popup freezes forever. The file never disappears. I have files from over 2 months ago still sitting there. I cannot…
The problem: The delete button for uploaded files in Settings → Privacy → Uploaded Files does not work. Click the trash bin, and a 'deleting' popup freezes forever. The file never disappears. I have files from over 2 months ago still sitting there. I cannot remove them. Support gave a false excuse: They told me files would auto-delete within 30 days of chat deletion. That is incorrect. The 30-day rule applies to chat history and API inputs, not to the persistent 'Uploaded Files' list in Privacy settings for consumer accounts. Those files stay indefinitely—unless you can delete them. And you can't. Anthropic CAN delete files—just not for us: Their Compliance API (Enterprise-only) has working DELETE endpoints for files. They have the technology. They just lock it behind Enterprise plans. This is a privacy issue: Check your Privacy settings right now. I bet you have old files stuck there too. If you're a Pro or Max subscriber paying $20+/month and can't delete your own data, ask yourself why. TL;DR: Broken delete button + persistent files + false 30-day excuse = consumers can't control their own sensitive data on Claude. Anthropic needs to fix this immediately.
Collected discussion
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The claude.ai site has an unsupported API exposed and you can try to reverse engineer deletion of resources there; generally if you can get a guid of an object you own, there's a chance there's a DELETE endpoint. I am not suggesting this is an excuse or that Anthropic should not have something easier. I am not suggesting that they are not breaking the law in some jurisdictions by NOT having a simpler, supported, bespoke way to delete your data. Just saying it may be possible if you poke around.
Not surprised. The web UI is a mess right now.