Windsurf · Windsurf Security & Data Handling · View original document ↗

Account Deletion and Zero-Data Retention

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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Recent governance activity Windsurf recorded 4 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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Document Record

What it is

The document discloses account deletion and zero-data retention mechanisms, distinguishing between default protections for enterprise and teams users versus opt-in protections for individual users. The document includes a dedicated section on account deletion linked from the table of contents, though the full text of that section was not available in the provided document excerpt.

This analysis describes what Windsurf'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 establishes the data deletion and retention framework that governs how long and under what conditions user data including code snippets is retained or purged. The opt-in structure for individual users creates a material difference in the default data lifecycle applicable to different user categories.

Interpretive note: The complete account deletion procedure and scope were not available in the document excerpt provided, limiting full assessment of the deletion mechanism's compliance adequacy.

Change history

added Jun 2, 2026

New provision explicitly addresses account deletion and data retention practices, clarifying that zero-data retention applies by default for enterprise/team plans.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under these terms, individual users must actively enable zero-data retention mode to obtain deletion-equivalent protections, while Teams and Enterprise users receive these protections by default. The document references a dedicated account deletion section in its table of contents, indicating a formal deletion mechanism exists, though the specific procedures were not available in the document excerpt reviewed.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Delete Your Data
    Navigate to your profile page and enable zero-data retention mode to prevent future data retention. For account deletion, refer to the account deletion section of the Windsurf security page or contact security@windsurf.com.

How other platforms handle this

Hinge Medium

After your account is deleted, we keep data about interactions you've had on our service to prevent abuse, ban evaders and others in an effort to protect and ensure the safety and security of our service and our members.

Threads Medium

We keep information for as long as we need it to provide our products, comply with legal obligations, or for other legitimate purposes, such as to maintain safety, security, and integrity.

Ancestry Medium

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our Services, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Even after you close your account, we may retain certain information as required by law or for our legitimate business purposes.

See all platforms with this clause type →

Monitoring

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
For any teams or enterprise plans, all inputs and outputs to these requests follow zero-data retention policies by default. For any individual plan, users can opt-in to zero-data retention mode from their profile page.

— Excerpt from Windsurf's Windsurf Security & Data Handling

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

1. REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages GDPR Article 17 right to erasure obligations and CCPA deletion request rights for California consumers. The FTC Act is relevant to the accuracy of representations regarding data deletion capabilities. Enforcement authorities include national supervisory authorities under GDPR and the California Privacy Protection Agency under CCPA. 2. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The existence of an account deletion mechanism is a positive compliance indicator, but the opt-in structure for individual user zero-data retention means that deletion requests may need to address data retained prior to opt-in activation. The full scope of the deletion mechanism requires review of the complete account deletion section, which was not available in the document excerpt. 3. JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU/EEA users have a legally established right to erasure under GDPR, and the adequacy of the account deletion mechanism should be verified against these requirements. California users have CCPA deletion request rights that must be honored within specified timeframes. 4. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprise agreements should specify the scope of data deletion obligations including subprocessor deletion requirements. The document's zero-data retention framework implies that subprocessors do not retain data after processing, but this should be confirmed in contractual terms. 5. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should review the complete account deletion section to assess the deletion request procedure, response timeline, and scope of data covered. For GDPR compliance, the deletion mechanism should address all subprocessors identified in the policy and provide confirmation of deletion to requesters.

Full compliance analysis

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

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Applicable agencies

  • State AG
    State attorneys general have enforcement authority over data deletion obligations under state consumer privacy laws including CCPA for California residents.
    File a complaint →

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
Windsurf Security & Data Handling
Entity
Windsurf
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 21, 2026
Last verified
May 21, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-013139
Document ID
CA-D-00783
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
09f15224ef746c31f64489deed565c66e77ca519b3c55d45f54937824fef52f0
Analysis generated
May 21, 2026 05:27 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Windsurf
Document: Windsurf Security & Data Handling
Record ID: CA-P-013139
Captured: 2026-05-21 05:27:25 UTC
SHA-256: 09f15224ef746c31…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/windsurf/windsurf-security-data-handling/account-deletion-and-zero-data-retention/
Accessed: June 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Windsurf's Account Deletion and Zero-Data Retention clause do?

This provision establishes the data deletion and retention framework that governs how long and under what conditions user data including code snippets is retained or purged. The opt-in structure for individual users creates a material difference in the default data lifecycle applicable to different user categories.

How does this clause affect you?

Under these terms, individual users must actively enable zero-data retention mode to obtain deletion-equivalent protections, while Teams and Enterprise users receive these protections by default. The document references a dedicated account deletion section in its table of contents, indicating a formal deletion mechanism exists, though the specific procedures were not available in the document excerpt reviewed.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Windsurf?

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