They're not using tape storage. The ZDNet story confirms this: http://www.zdnet.com/amazon-launches-glacier-cloud-storage-hopes-enterprise-will-go-cold-on-tape-

They're not using tape storage. The ZDNet story confirms this: http://www.zdnet.com/amazon-launches-glacier-cloud-storage-hopes-enterprise-will-go-cold-on-tape-use-7000002926 http://www.zdnet.com/amazon-launches-glacier-cloud-storage-h.... There are any number of reasons why deletes would be discouraged. One is packing: if your objects are "tarred" together in a compiled object, discouraging early deletes makes it more cost-effective to optimistically pack early.