WeTransfer
WeTransfer is a cloud-based file transfer service that allows users to upload files through their website and then either gives them a link directly or to send an e-mail to the recipient with a download link. If sent through e-mail, the sender could be notified when their files were downloaded.
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Legal structure | Private |
| Industry | Software |
| Official website | https://www.wetransfer.com |
Initially, the website was primarily ad-financed and required no registration. The free tier had a 2GB limit on the file size and links would expire after a week. Both limitations could be lifted by going to a paid plan for the service.
In 2024, the company was sold to Italian tech company Bending Spoons, which at that point already had a questionable reputation for changing the business model of iPhone camera app FiLMiC Pro after taking it over. Similar changes aimed at maximizing profit were introduced to WeTransfer, and it was announced that the majory of the existing staff would be laid off.
Consumer-impact summary edit
Privacy Concerns edit
Uploading files to a company unencrypted poses a variety of dangers of these documents leaking or being misused. Employees of companies might try to use services they know from home use and try to send confidential information through such channels.
This can be circumvented by putting the files to be sent into a ZIP file protected by a strong password first before uploading the file and then sending the passwort through an unrelated channel, such as a messenger chat.
Incidents edit
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the WeTransfer category.
Forced app usage on mobile (201?) edit
At some point WeTransfer started to block use of the website on mobile devices, making it impossible to upload or download files, directing users to download the app instead. Aside from the usual app overload concerns, the app was focussed around some sort of collages, this was perceived as annoying by many users.
This restriction can be circumvented by using the "Load Desktop Website" option in the web browser of the phone.
Data Breach (2019) edit
Some files were sent to the wrong recipients.[1]
Business Model Changes (2024) edit
In 2024, Bending Spoons made changes that changed the business model for the worse. Uploads were no longer possible without registering an account, the number of transfers per month and the storage duration of the free tier were reduced significantly.
Change in Terms of Service attempts to change ownership of uploaded files (2025) edit
In the new Terms of Service presented on June 23rd 2025, WeTransfer originally stated that they entitle themselves to "make a profit of the files uploaded by users", starting from the 8th of August 2025.[2] This is in stark contrast with the Terms of Service from 2021, which states there is no right of ownership to the uploaded files.[2]
Further, the new Terms of Service sparked additional backlash, by the clause to "include the possibility of using AI to improve content moderation" on the uploaded files. WeTransfer updated this clause. [3]
Alternatives edit
Swiss company Infomaniak offers a free service called SwissTransfer that is similar to WeTransfer, but has none of the restrictions introduced to WeTransfer by Bending Spoons. The free transfer limit is 50 GB (compared to 2 GB for WeTransfer) and the storage time is up to 30 days (vs. the 7 days of traditional WeTransfer). Moreover, the user can choose a language for the download page.
SendGB also offers 20 GB transfers for free without registration.
See also edit
References edit
- ↑ Abrams, Lawrence (2019-06-21). "WeTransfer Security Incident Sent Files to the Wrong People". Bleeping Computer. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Leijten, Jorg (15 Jul 2025). "WeTransfer krabbelt iets terug na ophef over overdragen eigendom op geüploade bestanden" [WeTransfer backs down their transfer of ownership after backlash]. NRC (in Nederlands). Retrieved 15 Jul 2025.
- ↑ Rahman-Jones, Imran (15 Jul 2025). "WeTransfer says files not used to train AI after backlash". BBC. Retrieved 15 Jul 2025.