Hello everyone,
I see I'm not the only one having this problem. It is an Apple policy to charge you for services that are sometimes still in the experimental phase. Especially before major changes without warning on minor macOS updates. Previously I only used iCloud Documents for two or three selected documents, not the new iCloud Drive which does not ask you anything but charges you. Here is an email I sent to appleprivacy and also AppleCare as there is no other service you can contact via email. Sorry it's long, but it's the original I sent in last week, although I don't think they read it, let alone replied.
Here is the email sent:
« I recently encountered an issue with Apple's iCloud Desktop and Documents sync following a macOS update. Without my knowledge, the automatic sync service and disk space optimization were enabled, resulting in the loss of data from two out of three of my sessions. These two sessions, containing critical information, were entirely replaced by the documents from my main session, which I use daily for personal activities. Unfortunately, despite multiple contacts with AppleCare support, my case remained open without any proposed solution to resolve the problem. This situation is deeply concerning as I have lost nearly 8 years' worth of precious data, including personal and medical information critical to me.
Additionally, it's important to note that even with backups like Time Machine, they couldn't copy the documents stored in Apple's cloud with the optimized storage option without my consent. Regrettably, I am currently left without any valid backup of these important files, making the situation even more desperate.
I researched possible solutions on my own and discovered that some Cloud service providers offer a feature to revert to previous states of the Cloud account. Therefore, I believe this functionality should also exist with an iCloud+ subscription.
It's crucial to emphasize that certain Cloud service providers, such as Dropbox, do not completely overwrite deleted files, and in some subscription versions, these files can be retained indefinitely until the user empties the trash, providing greater flexibility to users.
However, it remains to be seen if my data followed the deletion pipeline and if they are recoverable from the trash.
In comparison, I am currently faced with the complete loss of my data on iCloud due to an unauthorized automatic sync, with no possibility of recovery. This difference in file backup and recovery policies is an essential aspect to consider when choosing a Cloud service.
Furthermore, the document 'apple-privacy-policy-fr-ww.pdf' does not mention any specific data retention period for documents stored on iCloud, nor does it provide information on iCloud Drive backup policies. This lack of transparency regarding data retention leaves me uncertain about the security and availability of my files on the cloud. I am eager to clearly understand how long my data is kept and what backup measures are in place to prevent the permanent loss of files.
These gaps in the documentation have prompted me to seek answers elsewhere, but unfortunately, my attempts with AppleCare support have not resulted in a satisfactory resolution. That's why I turn to you for help and answers regarding the recovery of my precious data.
The change in documents by iCloud Drive Desktop and Documents in May 2021 was never communicated to users, neither by email nor by any other means of communication. I recently learned about this information through a forum. In contrast, Google notified its users six months in advance by sending an email about significant changes to Google account storage rules. The content of that email stated: 'We wanted to let you know about these new rules well in advance.'
This lack of prior information from Apple had disastrous consequences for my data. I found myself facing the loss of precious files without any prior warning. This lack of communication contrasts with the transparency demonstrated by other Cloud service providers, like Google, who prioritize informing their users about changes that affect them.
This communication gap highlights the need for more careful handling of user data and the implementation of effective backup measures to avoid the permanent loss of files. I hope that my situation sheds light on these issues and encourages improvements in how users are informed about changes related to their data on iCloud.
I want to emphasize that the loss of my documents resulted not from any mistake on my part but from an issue related to unauthorized automatic sync of Apple's iCloud Desktop and Documents. This happened on your servers independently of my actions, and as a paying user for your services, I expect Apple to take responsibility for protecting my essential data. The sync service and disk space optimization were enabled without my consent, leading to the loss of my critical data from two of my user sessions, and unfortunately, I was not informed beforehand of this change in operation, which had disastrous consequences for my files without any chance for me to recover them.
Thank you again for your attention and understanding of this complex situation, and I sincerely hope you can provide clarification and solutions to help me recover my lost files on iCloud Drive. »
If you read to the end, let me know what you think. In comment.
Thank you so much
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productnerd
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Nematode
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hiddendriveways
Add a Commenttick the DESKTOP & DOCUMENTS checkbox again and they will reappear as if nothing happened
The functionality seems to be that everything that you save on your "Desktop & Documents" folders will be wiped away once you uncheck the box in the iCloud settings. Above, @productnerd mentioned that you can just check that box again and all of your stuff will reappear.
Once you uncheck the box, it wipes away all of the files and saves it onto the iCloud drive. If you try to login to iCloud to view the restore function, you will not be able to see the files. If you check the box, all of the files will be downloaded from the cloud and restored back to your computer.
This functionality is very invasive, especially if you don't realize that all of that information is in the cloud.
Once you get your files back onto your computer, move the files out of Desktop or Documents folders, then you can uncheck those boxes if you don't want iCloud drive to sync those folders. You can move it back if you want, but any time you turn it back on and off, it will delete it from your computer.
This functionality deleted my wife's entire documents folder. At some point in the last 5 months, the save your "Desktop & Documents" to iCloud got checked accidentally, or perhaps a software update from Apple selected it for her, either way, this feature destroyed her work.
Call it this, call it that, but the way I see it, this is an intentional dark pattern to force people to pay for iCloud. It's beyond terrible for the user, it's a destructive shakedown for the contents of their wallet. One of my options right now is to give in and pay Apple a monthly subscription for Apple One.
That's not happening. Apple's approach to iCloud growth is shameful. This feature should not be a part of Mac OS. If you don't make it 100% clear to the user that they are about to delete their most important documents, you are makers of terrible software. There's no other way around it.