# Data retention

### Mailpiece data

Beginning September 1, 2022, Lob’s standard (or “default”) policy will be to retain mailpiece data for a period of ninety (90) days.  &#x20;

This means that all data specific to a particular mailpiece will be deleted once it is more than 90 days old. The default retention policy is aimed at maintaining regulatory compliance, and ensuring data security and privacy.

{% hint style="info" %}
Lob stores mailpiece data for a minimum of thirty-three (33) days, which is necessary for billing purposes.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### API logs

As they are intended for simple, real-time debugging, Lob's logs of requests and responses to and by our API (API Logs) are retained for 30 days. Similar to mailpiece data, we provide customers the option to export this log data before it expires using the "Export" button at the top of the page of the [API Logs section](https://dashboard.lob.com/logs) in the dashboard.

### Deleted data

Deleted data cannot be recovered. It is not possible to recover data after it has been deleted, which means it cannot be accessed or “undeleted.” Deleted mailpieces cannot be browsed for, and will not appear in search results.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Should you need to retain mailpiece data for legal, regulatory, or compliance purposes, you may [download it](/print-and-mail/getting-data-and-results/exporting-mail-data.md) before the 90-day retention period passes.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

**We** **delete** **data** associated with:

* checks
* letters
* postcards
* self-mailers
* any inline address data related to the above

**We** **DO NOT delete**:

* campaign data (metadata, results, etc)
* unsent mailpieces
* mail tracking data
* mail analytics data
* addresses created using Addresses API

For more information regarding Lob’s Data Retention Policy, please reach out to your Account Manager, or email <security@lob.com>.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.lob.com/resources/data-retention.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
