> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zavu.dev/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Data Retention > Understanding data retention policies and how to export your data # Data Retention Zavu implements configurable data retention policies to help you manage storage and comply with data protection regulations like GDPR. ## Default Retention Period | Data Type | Default Retention | Maximum Retention | | ------------------ | ----------------- | ----------------- | | Messages | 90 days | 180 days | | Conversations | 90 days | 180 days | | Webhook Deliveries | 90 days | 180 days | | Agent Executions | 90 days | 180 days | | Activities | 90 days | 180 days | Data retention is applied retroactively. When you reduce the retention period, existing data older than the new limit will be automatically deleted within 24 hours. ## Configuring Retention You can configure the retention period for your project through the [Dashboard](https://dashboard.zavu.dev/data-retention) or via the API. ### Dashboard 1. Navigate to **Infrastructure > Data Retention** in the sidebar 2. Use the slider to set your desired retention period (90-180 days) 3. Review the estimated impact on your existing data 4. Click **Save Changes** and confirm ### What's NOT Affected The following data types are excluded from retention policies due to legal requirements: * **Billing transactions** - Required for financial records (7 years) * **MAU charges** - Required for billing reconciliation * **API Keys** - Not subject to automatic deletion * **Contacts** - Customer data managed separately ## Data Exports Before data is deleted, you can export it for your records. Exports are available in JSON format. ### Creating an Export ```typescript TypeScript theme={null} import Zavudev from '@zavudev/sdk'; const zavu = new Zavudev(); // Create an export request const { export: exportJob } = await zavu.exports.create({ dataTypes: ['messages', 'conversations'], dateFrom: '2024-01-01T00:00:00Z', dateTo: '2024-06-30T23:59:59Z', }); console.log('Export ID:', exportJob.id); console.log('Status:', exportJob.status); // 'pending' initially ``` ```python Python theme={null} from zavudev import Zavudev zavu = Zavudev() # Create an export request export_job = zavu.exports.create( data_types=['messages', 'conversations'], date_from='2024-01-01T00:00:00Z', date_to='2024-06-30T23:59:59Z', ) print(f"Export ID: {export_job.export.id}") print(f"Status: {export_job.export.status}") # 'pending' initially ``` ```ruby Ruby theme={null} require 'zavudev' zavu = Zavudev::Client.new # Create an export request export_job = zavu.exports.create( data_types: ['messages', 'conversations'], date_from: '2024-01-01T00:00:00Z', date_to: '2024-06-30T23:59:59Z' ) puts "Export ID: #{export_job.export.id}" puts "Status: #{export_job.export.status}" # 'pending' initially ``` ```go Go theme={null} package main import ( "context" "fmt" "github.com/zavudev/sdk-go" ) func main() { client := zavudev.NewClient() // Create an export request exportJob, err := client.Exports.Create(context.TODO(), zavudev.ExportCreateParams{ DataTypes: []string{"messages", "conversations"}, DateFrom: zavudev.String("2024-01-01T00:00:00Z"), DateTo: zavudev.String("2024-06-30T23:59:59Z"), }) fmt.Println("Export ID:", exportJob.Export.ID) fmt.Println("Status:", exportJob.Export.Status) // 'pending' initially } ``` ```php PHP theme={null} $zavu = new Zavudev\Client(); // Create an export request $exportJob = $zavu->exports->create([ 'dataTypes' => ['messages', 'conversations'], 'dateFrom' => '2024-01-01T00:00:00Z', 'dateTo' => '2024-06-30T23:59:59Z', ]); echo "Export ID: " . $exportJob->export->id . "\n"; echo "Status: " . $exportJob->export->status . "\n"; // 'pending' initially ``` ```bash cURL theme={null} curl -X POST https://api.zavu.dev/v1/exports \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $ZAVU_API_KEY" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{ "dataTypes": ["messages", "conversations"], "dateFrom": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z", "dateTo": "2024-06-30T23:59:59Z" }' ``` ### Checking Export Status Exports are processed asynchronously. Poll the export endpoint to check when it's ready: ```typescript TypeScript theme={null} // Check export status const { export: exportJob } = await zavu.exports.retrieve('exp_abc123'); if (exportJob.status === 'completed') { console.log('Download URL:', exportJob.downloadUrl); console.log('File size:', exportJob.fileSize, 'bytes'); } ``` ```python Python theme={null} # Check export status export_job = zavu.exports.retrieve('exp_abc123') if export_job.export.status == 'completed': print(f"Download URL: {export_job.export.download_url}") print(f"File size: {export_job.export.file_size} bytes") ``` ```ruby Ruby theme={null} # Check export status export_job = zavu.exports.retrieve('exp_abc123') if export_job.export.status == 'completed' puts "Download URL: #{export_job.export.download_url}" puts "File size: #{export_job.export.file_size} bytes" end ``` ```go Go theme={null} // Check export status exportJob, err := client.Exports.Retrieve(context.TODO(), "exp_abc123") if exportJob.Export.Status == "completed" { fmt.Println("Download URL:", exportJob.Export.DownloadURL) fmt.Println("File size:", exportJob.Export.FileSize, "bytes") } ``` ```php PHP theme={null} // Check export status $exportJob = $zavu->exports->retrieve('exp_abc123'); if ($exportJob->export->status === 'completed') { echo "Download URL: " . $exportJob->export->downloadUrl . "\n"; echo "File size: " . $exportJob->export->fileSize . " bytes\n"; } ``` ```bash cURL theme={null} curl https://api.zavu.dev/v1/exports/exp_abc123 \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $ZAVU_API_KEY" ``` ### Export Status Values | Status | Description | | ------------ | ----------------------------------------------- | | `pending` | Export request received, queued for processing | | `processing` | Export is being generated | | `completed` | Export ready, download URL available | | `failed` | Export failed, check `errorMessage` for details | Export download links expire after **24 hours**. Make sure to download your export before it expires. ## Available Data Types When creating an export, you can include any combination of these data types: | Data Type | Description | | ------------------- | --------------------------------------- | | `messages` | All sent and received messages | | `conversations` | Conversation threads with contacts | | `webhookDeliveries` | Webhook delivery attempts and responses | | `agentExecutions` | AI agent execution logs and responses | | `activities` | Activity logs for your project | ## Export Format Exports are provided as JSON files with the following structure: ```json theme={null} { "messages": [ { "_id": "abc123", "to": "+14155551234", "from": "+15551234567", "channel": "sms", "messageType": "text", "text": "Hello!", "status": "delivered", "createdAt": 1704067200000 } ], "conversations": [ { "_id": "conv123", "contactPhone": "+14155551234", "lastMessageAt": 1704067200000 } ] } ``` ## GDPR Compliance Zavu's data retention features help you comply with GDPR requirements: * **Right to erasure**: Data is automatically deleted after the retention period * **Data portability**: Export your data at any time in a machine-readable format * **Storage limitation**: Configure retention periods appropriate for your use case * **Transparency**: View exactly how much data will be affected before changing settings For complete data deletion requests from specific users, contact our support team. ## Best Practices 1. **Export before reducing retention**: Always export your data before reducing the retention period 2. **Regular backups**: Set up periodic exports of your important data 3. **Monitor expiration**: Track when your exports will expire and download them promptly 4. **Test exports**: Verify your export files can be opened and read correctly ## Related * [API Reference: Exports](/api-reference/exports) * [Dashboard: Data Retention](https://dashboard.zavu.dev/data-retention)