> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://wb-21fd5541-style-guide-models-artifacts-20260603-165211.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> Learn where W&B files are stored by default. Explore how to save, store sensitive information.

# Artifact data privacy and compliance

When you log artifacts, W\&B uploads the files to a Google Cloud bucket. The contents of the bucket are encrypted at rest and in transit. Only users with access to the project can see the files.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/wb-21fd5541-style-guide-models-artifacts-20260603-165211/xrgAaxIcOWSlGEO8/images/artifacts/data_and_privacy_compliance_1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xrgAaxIcOWSlGEO8&q=85&s=9238e0aa7b3a05a4fe960883da836a21" alt="GCS W&B Client Server diagram" width="960" height="720" data-path="images/artifacts/data_and_privacy_compliance_1.png" />
</Frame>

When you delete a version of an artifact, W\&B marks it for soft deletion in the database and removes it from your storage cost. When you delete an entire artifact, W\&B queues it for permanent deletion and removes all of its contents from the W\&B bucket.

<Note>
  If you have specific needs around file deletion, contact [Customer Support](mailto:support@wandb.com).
</Note>

By default, W\&B retains deleted artifacts for 7 days, and you can restore them during this period. This period is configurable for Dedicated Cloud. Learn more about data retention in [Multi-tenant Cloud](/platform/hosting/hosting-options/multi_tenant_cloud#data-retention-policy) or [Dedicated Cloud](/platform/hosting/hosting-options/dedicated-cloud#data-retention-policy).

For sensitive datasets that can't reside in a multi-tenant environment, you can use [W\&B Dedicated Cloud](/platform/hosting/hosting-options/dedicated-cloud) or [reference artifacts](/models/artifacts/track-external-files). Reference artifacts track references to private buckets without sending file contents to W\&B, maintaining links to files on your buckets or servers. W\&B only tracks the metadata associated with the files, not the files themselves.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/wb-21fd5541-style-guide-models-artifacts-20260603-165211/xrgAaxIcOWSlGEO8/images/artifacts/data_and_privacy_compliance_2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xrgAaxIcOWSlGEO8&q=85&s=ba6a3f6a6724520f1ea831bcb975b6b2" alt="W&B Client Server Cloud diagram" width="960" height="720" data-path="images/artifacts/data_and_privacy_compliance_2.png" />
</Frame>

For more information about deployment options, see [Dedicated Cloud](/platform/hosting/hosting-options/dedicated-cloud) or [Self-Managed](/platform/hosting/hosting-options/self-managed). To discuss your specific requirements, contact [contact@wandb.com](mailto:contact@wandb.com).