Tools
How long until a closing company's data is deleted?
A company's records are worth money to AI buyers only while they exist. When software subscriptions are cancelled, each vendor deletes on its own schedule. Tick the systems, say when they were cancelled, and see what is left.
Systems the company used
When the accounts were cancelled
Google Workspace
Gone on cancellation
On cancellation the data "will be deleted and can't be restored". Deletion can take up to 90 days to complete.
Export before cancelling: an administrator can export all users' data with Google's data export tool while the subscription is active.
Google Workspace admin helpWhat its terms allow once the data is out
Jira and Confluence Cloud
60 days after cancelling
After cancellation the data is kept 60 days (15 for trials), then "permanently deleted and cannot be recovered".
Take a site backup (Jira and Confluence each offer one to administrators) before the 60 days run out.
Microsoft 365
120 days after cancelling
An expired subscription is disabled, then deleted. Microsoft deletes customer data no more than 180 days after expiry or termination.
Export mailboxes and files while administrators still have access: usually about 30 days expired, then 90 days disabled.
Slack, if downgraded to free
Gone on cancellation
A workspace on the free plan loses messages and files more than one year old, permanently, on a rolling basis.
Export before downgrading or letting the paid plan lapse: on the free plan, history older than a year is deleted.
Export first, decide later
An export costs little and keeps every option open; a deleted workspace cannot be sold to anyone. Keep exports in storage the company controls, and do not hand them to a buyer before the rights are checked and terms are signed.
Selling the data of a closed company or an estate