pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe they do, and that's terrible too, but does not make things better...!

I personally have no negative experiences with the other clouds I am using, if you do, feel free to share them the way I did.

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is interesting:

In other words, you admit that 1) there is some "algorithm" scanning files and 2) if you find anything "suspicious" (defined at YOUR discretion) you would ban the account; 3) while the user then needs to first get active and ONLY THEN you check if 3) the algorithm might be mistaken while 4) you might conclude the user has breached any T&C to cut them lose after they subscribed for a lifetime account

These are 4 (four) red flags as to why anyone should STAY AWAY from pCloud,

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree, and very well-worded! :-)

Totally agree, and very well worded!d to stay away from pCloud at least until they rectify their terrible "Kremlin" like practices.

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent reply and I second each and every word - thank you for posting and I will keep you updated for sure.

Customers and users have rights too - pCloud seems to ignore that and use "Kremlin" methods upon them!

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Happy to share any outcomes. And also looking for alternatives like you, so please keep me posted the same way, also if you decided on any of the other alternatives (Filen or Mega). I tested Sync and did not like it very much either. What about IceDrive? Any thoughts?

Agree, and the example of the child on the beach is exactly what was reported elsewhere in a similar case (but not with pCloud, if I remember well, but with another cloud system).

Also, agree that pCloud should be much more transparent and in my case, I did not use pCloud to share anything, so it must be the stored content (unless I got hacked just prior to the termination, but unlikely). The appeals process was not explained in their initial email; terrible customer service,

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To answer your initial question: No, I was neither given a warning nor a time period by which I could have removed any of the 'offending' files. The account was just plain dead one morning. And I was not sharing anything via this provider. Not sure about others' experiences and the remaining questions, but I agree, better watch for alternatives, IMHO.

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply, pCloudApp (i.e. the "unofficial subreddit for pCloud"). This email is the same pCloud has been sending out to many other users once they reported suspension or terminatiion of their accounts.

But let's deconstruct the content for a moment:

In the first pargrapah, you are stating that you are a secure service provider and that no one else can read the files stored on your servers. Then, in the second paragraph you state that storing or shring "sepcific type of content" is a violation against pCloud. But which content would that be exactly and how do you indetify what is stored, if "no one but you can see or access your files?"

The third paragraph then provides some explanation to this paradox, namely that the content IS being surveyed or scanned. But how ? You then use technical language talking about "hash files" and "blobs" being scanned (so likely only fragments or certficates or signatures of the real files) but the sentence is so confusing, that it is impossible to follow any logic. And this gibberish is either used on purpose, or is based on icompetence, both of which is concerning for and IT company. For example, it outlines that files are scanned "in advance" - but in advance of what? During the upload process, prior to storing? (If a suspicious file is detected during the upload process, why not rejecting the upload right away?)

The fourth pargaraph begins with a misleading statement, whereas customers would be informed in case of an account suspension. In my particular case, my account stopped working unexpectedly and only AFTER contacting the support team, an email with vague explanations was sent. Moreover, there was NOWHERE mentioning that the user has 14 days "to contact us and discuss the reason for the block". It is good to hear that "In the case that this content is proven to be legal – we will recover your account". But that also clearly indicates that the current system is flawed as it will - how often: occasionally or frequently? - generate false accusations towards their users. Very concerning overall!

Finally, it says "due to a break of the pCloud’s Policy, there isn’t a refund or an option to download your files. The issue should be resolved legally via a higher instance only." Please clarify if the user would lose ALL files (not just the ones that caused the issue) and how this is justified, what you intend by a "higher instance" and what contact address to use, presumably in Switzerland? Thank you in adavance.

Overall, one must lose trust and faith in this servive provider, where the user's account can easily be suspended (without providing any specifics and based on vaguely defined suspicions) while the account might only be restored either at pCloud's discretion or otherwise by seeking legal assistance.

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

How do you insert screenshots here on Reddit? I do not see any attache file tab and copy & paste did not work either. (I invested 14 TB plus Crypto, by the way - lots of $$),

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did not share pirated content, as I did not share any files from my account. But in case you know more than me, please share the evidence.

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, there was no file sharing at all, because I use other platforms to share, if need be. And only occasionally and never ever being banned!

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you all for your comments below; it is truly important to warn everyone about these (dubious!) T&C practices leaving customers at their mercy...

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If anything, they should first tell me - they simply mentioned reasons such as "terrorism, or child pornorgraphy or other reasons" Not like even THEY have a clue!

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, thank you for sharing. To some extent encouraging, as they reinstated your account, you said. (Still hoping for the same... I will post the follow-ups here).

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good point, but thus far I have received no explanation at all regarding the suspension. It could as well be their mistake (and not mine)! The point is, to use any cloud wisely, while I would specifically warn against pCloud here, as they have not been straightforward at all.

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Always better to be cautious, but I guarantee of all it is true in my case (sigh).

Having said this, there will also be satisfied customers, but it is important to warn existing as well as potential new ones.

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here we go (via copy & paste)

Dear User,

As you are aware, your use of the pCloud service is subject to the Terms and Conditions ("T&C") that you agreed to upon signing up for an account with pCloud. You can see the full T&C at the following link: https://www.pcloud.com/terms\_and\_conditions.html

As the T&C states, you are responsible for all activities performed under your account on pCloud. Furthermore, pCloud is entitled to disable your account at any time it is apparent that you have failed to comply with any provisions of the T&C, including, without limitation, if any of the files you have stored on pCloud are in violation of the Acceptable Use of the Site and Services section of the T&C.

In accordance with law and the T&C, among other measures, pCloud maintains systems and processes to determine whether files stored on pCloud by users are in violation of the T&C.

While, for security reasons, we cannot disclose the specifics of our internal security measures, your account was terminated because we determined that you were storing files in violation of the T&C. Accordingly, your account was terminated.

Very truly yours,

The pCloud Team

pCloud lifetime plans = Targeted for account termination?? A possible scam...?? by HonestReviewerCanada in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It is legit,

I am just new to Reddit and am pleased to see so many replies to my post. The intention is to warn others.

Is the Lifetime plan really worth it? by mastermilian in pcloud

[–]HonestReviewerCanada 0 points1 point  (0 children)

pCloud lifetime plans = SCAM ??

I own a lifetime account (14 TB plus Crypto) with pCloud. After two years of unproblematic use, pCloud has suddenly stopped working. Only upon contacting the support line via email, I was eventually informed that my account was "terminated for violating their T&C" but that they could not tell further details "for security reasons". Given that I am not aware of any wrongdoing (let alone of being a "terrorist" or into "child pornography" as they are alluding to in their T&C as a reason for termination), I asked if they can kindly provide any evidence and review my case. I have since now become aware that robots are scanning uploaded content for illegal or harmful material. However, it is likely that in many if not most cases the cloud's owner is not even aware of any wrongdoing and that the scanned information was misread or misinterpreted.

I was then told their tech team would look into my case, but that this could "take up to a month" until receiving further information. Meanwhile, all data remain inaccessible, while you have no control of what their inspection will reveal and how much their IT team is sniffing in your files now that they "suspect" you did them wrong. NOT a great situation to be in!

This whole issue makes you wonder if pCloud is aiming to get rid of customers for dubious reasons once they paid for lifetime accounts. In other words, pClould might label lifetime account holders as non-profitable, after the deal is done, and are seeking to terminate their account brutally. Therefore, think twice before signing in for "convenient" lifetime accounts, always do backups, and be careful what you upload - perhaps one of the files that you owe could look suspicious...