3 ms·

For the storage functionality, they could encrypt/decrypt on the frontend, and store encrypted data only.

• danso 9y ago
  Someone else has pointed out that Dropbox has never promised end-to-end encryption of data, partly because it would be difficult to provide various user-friendly features. Also because it would be difficult on their end to apply the efficiency measures they have for doing diffs and file history.
• FooHentai 9y ago
  Can't do de-duplication if you're encrypting. No way Dropbox's storage back-end remains viable without de-dupe.
  • mercer 9y ago
    Is that true though? I use Tarsnap and as I understand it, it does de-duplication server-side AND client-side encryption. That said, the point probably still stands that encryption is probably not feasibly with Dropbox feature set (or while maintaining a certain performance).
    • cperciva 9y ago
      Tarsnap deduplicates your data with respect to your data. It can't compare your data with everybody else's data, because your data is encrypted with keys which only you hold. Dropbox deduplicates everybody's data, so that they'll be able to take advantage when you and someone else both store the same file. (Of course, this trivially means they can recognize when someone stores a file which the FBI has previously provided to them.)
      • mercer 9y ago
        Ah, of course! Thanks for clearing that up (I was hoping you would chime in). Oh, and thanks for a product that does what I need it to do. I'd maybe have liked a bit more documentation (for example, how to speed up retrieving a backup), but other than that I'm very happy with it!