Dropbox cancels unlimited storage due to crypto mining concerns

Dropbox is transitioning from its once-unlimited Advanced storage plan to metered offerings, driven by rising misuse, including cryptocurrency mining activities.

In response to the increasing misuse of its Advanced storage policy, particularly for cryptocurrency mining, Dropbox is shifting from its once-unlimited storage plan to a metered system.

Dropbox unveiled this policy shift on Aug. 24th in its blog. Previously promoted as “all the space you need” for businesses, the Advanced plan will now provide structured storage limits to prevent exploitation and ensure consistent service for genuine users.

The misuse included cryptocurrency mining, personal storage pooling, and storage reselling. Dropbox’s decision mirrors industry trends, with rivals like Microsoft and Google recently curtailing their unlimited storage offers.

Originally designed for businesses wanting unconstrained growth, Dropbox realized its model was vulnerable to abuse, affecting service quality. Starting Nov. 1st, Advanced subscribers with three active licenses will receive 15 terabytes of shared storage. Additional storage will be accessible for new and existing clients at competitive rates.

Dropbox aims to ensure a seamless transition, collaborating with customers to identify alternative storage solutions. While some might miss the unlimited space, Dropbox prioritizes maintaining a trustworthy and streamlined service for its genuine clientele.