User-generated content is notoriously heavy for storage requirements and always runs a risk of skyrocketing cloud computing bills. Consequently, we need to have a strict policy on how long we actually retain all information in Chat. This document will cover all types of data, how long we keep it, and guidelines on using the service in a data-friendly way.
Chat has a Janitor service that runs in the background multiple times per day and creates cleanup tasks to clean out unneeded data at regular intervals. Once the Janitor purges data, it is gone.
Refer to the following table to see how long Chat keeps its various data.
| Data Type | Retention Policy |
|---|---|
| Global Messages | 2 weeks or 200 messages per room |
| Direct Messages | 1 month or when the room is destroyed |
| Private Messages | 3 months or when the room is destroyed |
| Broadcasts | 2 weeks default; overrideable |
| Announcements | Permanent |
| Global Rooms | Permanent |
| Direct Message Rooms | 1 week of no activity or when less than 2 players are members |
| Private Rooms | Permanent so long as members exist |
| Player Preferences | Permanent |
| Player Activity Record | Permanent |
| New Reports | 1 month |
| Mild Reports | 2 weeks |
| Severe Reports | 3 months |
| Permanent Reports | Permanent, did you expect anything else? |