Discontinuation of Cloud Storage Services and Why Koofr is Here to Stay

The cloud storage industry has experienced unprecedented growth and activity in recent years. In less than 20 years since its widespread commercialization in the mid-2000s, remote data storage has become an essential service for individuals and businesses due to the agility, scalability and security it provides. This growth has resulted in a proliferation of cloud storage providers offering various features and capacities to meet the different needs of their customers.

As a consequence of this rapid growth, a new undesired phenomenon has arisen in recent years - cloud storage services shutting down without prior notice, forcing their users to deal with data loss and disrupted workflows. Consequently, today, there are quite a few cloud services that no longer exist.

In the next paragraphs we explore and explain examples of cloud services that no longer exist, along with the reasons for their disappearance. We try to help the readers choose a reliable service for data loss prevention, thus avoiding the effects of the described cases.

1. Cloud storage: A landscape of change

The history of the cloud dates back to the early days of the internet, when computing pioneers like J.C.R. Licklider and John McCarthy envisioned a global computer network in the 1960s. However, it was in the 1980s when the idea of cloud storage began to take shape, distributing tasks among multiple machines instead of relying on a single computer.

Source: The Chartered Institute for IT

The term "cloud" was first used in 1997 by Professor Ramnath Chellappa, who defined it as "a new computing paradigm". Since then, the cloud has become a fundamental element of technology, offering unprecedented connectivity, agility and security to drive progress. Today, the cloud allows users to access and manage their data from anywhere with an internet connection.

Source: The Chartered Institute for IT

However, the cloud storage market has always been dynamic, marked by continuous mergers, acquisitions, and closures. As the industry matured, larger players became consolidators, acquiring smaller competitors to enhance their service offerings and expand their market share. Additionally, technological advancements and shifts in consumer preferences have led to the emergence of new players and the obsolescence of others. This constant flux underscores the volatile nature of the market and the importance of user proactivity in assessing the reliability and longevity of their chosen storage providers to mitigate risks associated with market instability.

2. Cloud services that no longer exist: Fallen providers on cloud storage market

In the ever-evolving cloud storage market, there have been notable cases where popular and established cloud storage providers abruptly discontinued their services without prior notice. Below, you'll find descriptions of some cloud services that no longer exist.

In 2012, Megaupload, one of the largest file-sharing platforms globally, faced closure due to allegations of copyright infringement and piracy. This sudden shutdown left millions of users without access to their stored files.

Another notable case involved a cloud storage service Wuala which was shut down in 2015 due to the intense competition in the cloud storage market and the company's strategic realignment. This closure caused frustration and required users to undergo time-consuming processes to migrate all their information to another service within a specified time frame.

In February 2016, Copy.com, a prominent cloud storage provider, informed its users that they would discontinue their services on May 1st. Having operated for four years, the company provided its users with a two-month window to transfer all their data to other providers.

HubiC, owned by OVH, was another notable cloud storage provider that ceased operations. In 2018, they announced the suspension of new user registrations and discontinued service updates. Despite previously offering generous plans, they ultimately opted to close down their service. This decision was deeply disappointing for their user base, who had to migrate to alternative cloud storage platforms.

Just last month, Skiff, an end-to-end encrypted platform that offered email, calendar events, document management, and file storage, announced the discontinuation of its service after joining Notion. Skiff accounts will not be converted to Notion accounts, and users must transfer all their data to other services.

Furthermore, we are witnessing a software giant Adobe shutting down its Creative Cloud Files sync which allowed for files to be synced to the user's cloud storage. This decision is taken based on the fact that its capabilities do not directly align with the company’s goal of fostering creative collaboration. Consequently, users must seek alternative storage solutions, undergo the migration process, and establish a new setup to streamline their workflow effectively.

Thinking of these and other cloud services that no longer exist, as a user, you must have data loss prevention in mind and choose a reliable provider to store your valuable data.

3. Choosing a cloud storage partner you can trust

These examples highlight the importance of choosing a reliable and trustworthy cloud storage provider to avoid the risks associated with service shutdowns.

When selecting a cloud storage provider, it is important to prioritize those with a solid track record and stability in the industry. After all, longevity and stability indicate the provider's ability to withstand market fluctuations and deliver reliable services over time, which in turn aids in data loss prevention.

Security and privacy features and policies are crucial for safeguarding your data, therefore providers with robust encryption protocols, multi-factor authentication, strict privacy measures, and transparent data handling should always be at the top of your list.

At the same time, always value customer support and always prioritize providers with responsive, reliable customer support teams, offering various support channels for prompt issue resolution.

Additionally, evaluate storage features like capacity, synchronization, versioning, and collaboration tools, ensuring they meet your specific requirements. Also, consider scalability to accommodate future storage needs without effort. While pricing is important, assess the overall value proposition, including storage capacity, performance, security, and customer support, to ensure you get the best value for your investment.

4. Koofr: A reliable partner for your cloud storage needs

With over a decade of service, Koofr has established itself as a reliable and stable privacy-focused cloud storage provider. Our long-standing presence in the industry reflects our dedication to serving users and providing consistent, dependable storage solutions. Check out our blog post celebrating Koofr's 10th birthday to learn more about our journey!

At Koofr, we prioritize the security and privacy of your data. We implement robust security measures, including encryption protocols, two-factor authentication and client-side encryption, to ensure that your files are protected from unauthorized access and breaches. We don’t share with or sell any information to third parties and we don’t use third-party tracking tools. Our transparent data handling practices align with our values of privacy and integrity, giving you peace of mind knowing that your sensitive information is safeguarded.

We also understand the importance of responsive and reliable customer support when it comes to your cloud storage needs. That's why Koofr is committed to providing exceptional customer service, with a dedicated support team ready to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Whether you need help troubleshooting an issue or navigating our platform's features, we're here to ensure that you have the most gratifying experience with Koofr.

Since the very beginning, we have set our prices to reflect the real costs associated with providing our services. We are profitable from the start and not tied to the interests of venture capitalists, which has allowed us to stay independent and user-focused in our decision-making. Our self-reliance means that we can honestly commit to the principles valued by our users, like privacy, without having to make compromises nobody likes. It also means, that we are not going anywhere.

Selecting a reliable cloud storage provider is crucial for long-term peace of mind, data security and data loss prevention. The right partner can offer stability, robust security measures, and exceptional customer support, ensuring that your files are protected and accessible whenever you need them.

At Koofr, we understand the importance of all these factors and we are exclusively dedicated to serving our users as a trusted and reliable cloud storage partner. With over 11 years of experience, Koofr has demonstrated a commitment to stability, security, and customer satisfaction, making us an ideal choice for your storage needs. Keep reading to discover why Koofr should be at the top of your list of cloud storage providers.

Do you have experience with discontinuation of a cloud storage service? Share your experience with us on the Koofr subreddit!