Privacy when previewing files

[Henry1001]

Does Dropbox keep track of how long I open a file or view a video for? If they do what is the reason for it?

[dropfile1]

I don't think that they keep track on your viewing time. Only thing I know is that they track the last time you opened a file. 

[Jay]

Hi @Henry1001, thanks for joining the Community!

Currently, Dropbox doesn't track how long you're viewing files for.

The only possible exception would be for audio and video files in a shared link, which have limits to the preview itself, so it isn't tracking as such.

If you have any specific concerns or queries, please let me know more!

[Henry1001]

Hi Jay, can you expand on the exception? You say shared files are and only have limits to the preview itself, what does that mean?

[Rich · Accepted solution]

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@Henry1001 wrote:
Hi Jay, can you expand on the exception? You say shared files are and only have limits to the preview itself, what does that mean?

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He's referring to the length limits when streaming audio or video files through a shared link. If you share a link to an audio or video file, people viewing the link will only be able to stream the first 15 minutes of that file when you have a Basic account. If you have a Plus, Family or Professional account, the first 60 minutes can be streamed. And if you have a Business account, the first 4 hours can be streamed.

• https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/photos/video-length

So, while Dropbox isn't tracking the amount of time that YOU spend on a file, they are tracking how long that file can be viewed based on the limits appropriate to the file owner's account, and then ending the stream when that limit is reached.