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Forum Discussion
Dropbox acquires Boxcryptor. What will happen to all those files that have been encrypted?
Hi
As most will know, dropbox has purchased boxcryptor. At this point my question is, what will happen to all those files that have been encrypted with boxcryptor ? Should they all be decrypted an...
riccardo1981 wrote:
At this point my question is, what will happen to all those files that have been encrypted with boxcryptor ?
Since this is such a new development, such answers are likely not available yet, beyond what has been stated by the Boxcryptor founders (emphasis mine).
What does this mean for our users and customers?
First of all: All our existing users and customers will remain with the German Secomba GmbH with the same shareholders as during the past 10 years. No contracts, customer data or keys will migrate to Dropbox, all data will remain in our German data centers.
While we’ve sold several key technology assets to Dropbox, we will continue to service our existing users and customers pursuant to the terms of their existing contracts. However, as of today, we will not allow the creation of new accounts or purchases of any new licenses.
If you’re an existing customer, you can keep using Boxcryptor as you do today, and we’ll be in touch with more details as we join forces with Dropbox. If you’re new here and would like to stay up to date on Dropbox’s progress, join the Dropbox mailing list.
You will also find the most important FAQs regarding the next steps below.
We have a subscription to Boxcrypter. We understand that Boxcrypter will be ADDED by Dropbox to Business. What about paid NON-Business users? Once our subscription to Boxcrypter comes to an end, We NEED encryption that is available on our MACs, iPads and IPhones.
apfund
Dropbox Product Manager
Dropbox Product ManagerThe current status is, that the first version of our native end-to-end encryption implementation will be offered to our business customers.
I will certainly share your comments and suggestions with our team, and we appreciate your feedback.
Additionally, I understand the importance of clear communication and messaging, and I will take this feedback into consideration as well, as we continue to refine our approach. Thank you again for your valuable input.
apfund Respectfully, this not a status report as it lacks 1) Progress, 2) Features, and most importantly 3) the Delivery Date. Users have no clue what to do which fuels confusion or potential anger which is exceedingly damaging to the Dropbox Brand and forever alienates brand ambassadors.
Any exec leadership with the most basic understanding of brand development, Marketing 101, intro-to, or even a kindergartener understands being evasive or dishonest makes people not trust or like them.Clearly this is a choice by someone whose's role might deserve a performance review by leadership with some emotional intelligence. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, is a master of empathy for all stakeholders, even when things are difficult or confidential.— It might be better to develop an honest answer that helps users in the interim to protect their information AND feel good using the Dropbox platform. These kinds of responses are inauthentic and counter productive.- apfund
Sebastian, I completely got your point and also understand your frustration.
I assure you that my team here at Dropbox is working diligently on the native integration of end-to-end encryption.
My previous posts might not include all the information you want regarding timeline and status, but I will only be able to share a more accurate timeline with you once we get closer to a release date.
I'm sorry if our past communication or decisions did not meet your expectations, but is there anything I can do now to assist you in the interim?
As mentioned above, I am collecting your feedback here and sharing it with our team to ensure that your voice is heard.
But if there is anything else, please let me know and I'll do my best to help.
Let me summarize the situation and suggest possible solutions:
Dropbox decided to stop Boxcrypter service before having a solution. I.e. no seamless transfer of service.
That puts its own developers under unnecessary pressure and increases risk releasing something not proper. Or wait very long.
Dropbox clearly communicated that encryption will only be available to Dropbox business models. Also there is no anticipated price.
Price is not clear but it is likely to be non-competitively high, looking at the already high-priced business solutions
I see ex-Boxcrypter customers faced with two options:
Wait for an indefinite time until Dropbox Business encryption is available. An interim solution is not available. And the pricing is unclear and a risk having to wait foe something too expensive.
Chose another provider. Just to name a few with end-to-end encryptions available: nordlocker, ionos hidrive, icloud, onedrive etc
Obviously, Dropbox has deliberately decided to not provide a seamless and uninterrupted solution for Boxcrypter customers. That means that customers have to spend an extra effort now for an interim solution. Since we need to spend the effort now anyway. I suggest to invest the effort to finding another permanent solution.
For me that means choosing solution #2. Might not be perfect yet, but without healthy competition (which also need support and feedback to progress) we are poised to having something like this happening again. I.e. I will spend my extra time supporting other companies that are really eager to listen to customers.
