End-of-Contract Data Handling

This question asks what happens to your data when you stop using the vendor's service - will they give it all back to you and then completely delete it from their systems, including all backups and archives? It's like ensuring a storage company returns all your belongings and doesn't keep copies of your personal items when you end your rental.

Retained data after contract termination creates ongoing security and privacy risks. Without proper deletion, former vendors become permanent liability points for data breaches and compliance violations. Clear data return and deletion procedures protect against future breaches, ensure compliance with privacy laws, and prevent vendors from using your data after the relationship ends.

Many vendors return active data but retain backups indefinitely 'for legal purposes,' creating permanent security risks. Others claim to delete data but only remove it from production systems, leaving copies in test environments, analytics systems, or employee devices.