> Independently, softwares and services which handle user-created files should never, ever delete them without a direct instruction from the user.

Show me a business that is willing to offer you that guarantee and I'll show you a business that is out of business.

What if there's a fire? Or malicious destruction? Or massive hardware failure?

Anyhow, the only people who would down-vote some of the comments I am making are those who have never suffered the pain and agony of data loss. If you've ever been in those shoes you know, without an iota of doubt, that what I am saying is 100% on point.

There's nothing wrong with Dropbox. The problem is in how naively people are choosing to use the service.

Could they be better? Of course. Would I still have my own redundant backups and recommend that Dropbox users do the same and fully understand the service. Absolutely!

Personal responsibility is a bitch. It's much easier to blame someone else. Guess what? Blaming someone else for your failings will not make things right or bring back your data.

> Independently, softwares and services which handle user-created files should never, ever delete them without a direct instruction from the user.

We're 100% in agreement on that. But since you can never be sure that the software that you're using is bug free (and in the case of dropbox there is now at least one more datapoint that confirms that their software contained at least one bug) you have to more or less count on losing all your data.

Dropbox messaging is of course not going to highlight the fact that their software may contain bugs, it simply isn't in their best interest (and none of their competitors do so either).

Maybe they have a section to that effect in their fine print but even if they don't on hacker news we really should all know better. Unless there is someone here that only writes bug free software... In that case please send me your resume.