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Temporary File Caching with Client-Generated Encryption

Low severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

Cursor temporarily caches file contents on its servers using encryption keys that exist only for the duration of a request; cached files are stated to be temporary, never permanently stored, and not used as training data when Privacy Mode is on.

This analysis describes what Cursor's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision describes a temporary server-side file caching mechanism with a client-generated encryption model, and conditionally states that cached content is not used as training data, but only when Privacy Mode is enabled.

Interpretive note: The document does not define the maximum duration of 'temporary' caching, and the training data exclusion is conditional on Privacy Mode being enabled, which is not the explicit default state according to this document.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

The document states that cached file contents are never permanently stored and are not used as training data when Privacy Mode is enabled; the training data exclusion is conditional on Privacy Mode being active, meaning cached content may be used as training data when Privacy Mode is off.

How other platforms handle this

Activision Medium

YOU MUST BE AND HEREBY AFFIRM THAT YOU ARE AN ADULT OF THE LEGAL AGE OF MAJORITY IN YOUR COUNTRY OR STATE OF RESIDENCE. If you are under the legal age of majority, your parent or legal guardian must consent to this agreement.

ADP Medium

If you are a California resident, you may have certain rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These rights may include: the right to know about personal information collected, disclosed, or sold; the right to delete personal information collected from you; the right to opt-out of t...

Google Gemini Medium

Our generative AI services are not directed at children. If you are under the applicable age of majority in your jurisdiction, you may only use these services with parental or guardian consent and supervision, subject to any additional restrictions set out in our family policies.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We temporarily cache file contents on our servers to reduce latency and network usage. The files are encrypted using unique client-generated keys, and these encryption keys only exist on our servers for the duration of a request. All cached file contents are temporary, never permanently stored, and never used as training data when privacy mode is enabled.

— Excerpt from Cursor's Cursor Data Use & Privacy Overview

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision implicates GDPR data minimization and security principles, as well as CCPA disclosure requirements for temporary processing of file content on third-party servers. The client-generated encryption model described may be relevant to security assessments under applicable data protection law. The FTC Act applies to the accuracy of representations about encryption and temporary storage practices. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Low to Medium. The provision describes a technical safeguard (client-generated encryption keys with request-scoped existence) that limits the risk of persistent exposure of cached file contents. However, the conditional nature of the training data exclusion (only when Privacy Mode is enabled) means that when Privacy Mode is off, cached file contents may potentially be used as training data. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU/EEA organizations should assess whether temporary server-side caching of file contents constitutes processing under GDPR and whether it is covered by applicable DPAs. The document's security page (cursor.com/security) is referenced for further detail but is not reproduced here. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprises assessing Cursor for use with sensitive codebases should review the full security documentation at cursor.com/security to understand the key management architecture and confirm the scope of 'temporary' caching. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should verify that the encryption and key management description aligns with their organization's data security requirements, and confirm the maximum duration of the caching period to assess compatibility with data retention policies.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
EU AI Act - High Risk Provisions
EU
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
Cursor Data Use & Privacy Overview
Entity
Cursor
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 11, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011155
Document ID
CA-D-00764
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
7bd016281b3f2dcf271223558f9511f2d93cc13a84b3a147251127ce1af62024
Analysis generated
May 11, 2026 13:09 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Cursor
Document: Cursor Data Use & Privacy Overview
Record ID: CA-P-011155
Captured: 2026-05-11 13:09:42 UTC
SHA-256: 7bd016281b3f2dcf…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/cursor/cursor-data-use-privacy-overview/temporary-file-caching-with-client-generated-encryption/
Accessed: May 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Low
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cursor's Temporary File Caching with Client-Generated Encryption clause do?

This provision describes a temporary server-side file caching mechanism with a client-generated encryption model, and conditionally states that cached content is not used as training data, but only when Privacy Mode is enabled.

How does this clause affect you?

The document states that cached file contents are never permanently stored and are not used as training data when Privacy Mode is enabled; the training data exclusion is conditional on Privacy Mode being active, meaning cached content may be used as training data when Privacy Mode is off.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Cursor?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Cursor.