Secure and GDPR compliant: An Alternative to WeTransfer
Published {$created} by Carsten Blum
Recently WeTransfer made a ground breaking change to their terms of service, in which they claim right to, among others, train machine learning models, create derivative works from your content etc. This basically gives them the right to your data. Many complaints has been voiced online, especially on reddit.
Time to move away from WeTransfer?
For years, WeTransfer has been the go-to service for quickly sending large files like videos, designs, or presentations. It’s simple, fast, and doesn’t require an account – making it a favorite among creatives, freelancers, and teams around the world. But while the convenience is undeniable, recent changes to WeTransfer’s Terms of Service have raised serious concerns about data ownership and privacy. If you care about who can access your files – and who owns them – it might be time to consider a safer, more transparent alternative.
In June 2025, WeTransfer quietly updated their Terms of Service – and the changes have serious implications for anyone who values privacy and ownership. Section 6.3 now gives WeTransfer the right to copy, modify, distribute, and even create derivative works from your content. They can also use your files to train machine learning models, commercialize new technologies, and sublicense your work to others – indefinitely and without compensation. In other words, simply by sending a file through WeTransfer, you’re granting them a perpetual, worldwide license to use it however they like. For many users, that’s a deal-breaker.
That’s where ftpGrid comes in. Built from the ground up with privacy, control, and long-term reliability in mind, ftpGrid offers a secure alternative to mainstream file sharing services. There are no ads, no tracking scripts, and no hidden licenses – just encrypted file storage, full user control, and simple sharing tools that respect your data. Whether you’re a freelancer, agency, or internal team handling sensitive documents, ftpGrid gives you the peace of mind that your files stay yours – always.
What is ftpGrid?
ftpGrid.com is a lightweight yet powerful file sharing platform that combines classic FTP/SFTP uploads with a modern, user-friendly web interface. You get the flexibility of direct file transfers and the convenience of managing and sharing files securely from your browser. The service being a FTP/SFTP, you still have to upload files using for instance FileZilla, but sharing is done directly from the web interface.
At its core, ftpGrid is built around four key principles: privacy, control, compliance, and security. It’s fully GDPR-compliant, meaning your data stays within strict European privacy standards. Unlike other platforms, ftpGrid claims zero ownership over your files. All data is encrypted at rest, and only you – not even we – hold the encryption keys. Your files, your rules.
Wait – how is it possible ftpGrid doesn’t harvest and sell your data?
It’s simple: ftpGrid is a paid premium service – which means you are our customer, not your data.
Most “free” platforms aren’t really free. Whether it’s social media, cloud storage, or file sharing services like WeTransfer, the business model is often based on advertising, profiling, or upselling. That usually means collecting as much data as possible, analyzing it, and sometimes even sharing or selling it to third parties. In those setups, your usage patterns, your content, or your behavior becomes the real product.
ftpGrid works differently. We charge a fair price for a stable, secure, privacy-respecting service – and in return, we don’t need to mine your data, track your clicks, or peek at your content. In fact, we can’t. All files are encrypted at rest with customer-managed keys, and we’ve deliberately designed ftpGrid to collect the absolute minimum metadata needed to run the platform.
No surveillance. No profiling. No creepy ads. Just secure file sharing that puts you in control.
How to use ftpGrid to share files
Using ftpGrid.com as a direct alternative to WeTransfer is very simple and straightforward:
1. Upload files via FTP or SFTP
Use your favorite client (FileZilla, Cyberduck, etc.) or your OS’ built-in support.
Upload files to your ftpGrid storage.
2. Log into the web app and use the File Browser
Log in via app.ftpgrid.com
Go to File Browser
Select the files you want to share, then click “Create public link”
3. Set sharing options
Choose when the link should expire:
After 7, 14, or 28 days
Or after it’s been viewed/downloaded X times (e.g. max 2 views)
You can manually revoke the link at any time on the Weblinks page
4. Send the secure link
Example: https://edgeN.ftpgrid.com/public/QA1-TqFaFyeivSHF_ejrfckHkp2Kpjnh5UVA/ (where edgeN is you assigned edge storage)
Why it’s secure:
Extremely hard to guess, when link expires it is securely deleted.
Not indexed by search engines
Files are encrypted at rest with your encryption key
Take back control of your file sharing
In a digital world where so many services quietly take ownership of your data, ftpGrid is a return to something simple – and respectful. We built ftpgrid for individuals and teams who value privacy, clarity, and control. No fine print. No exploitation. Just a fast, secure way to share what matters. Whether you’re sending sensitive business documents, creative projects, or large media files, ftpgrid makes sure your content stays yours – and that it reaches the right people, under your terms.
Try ftpGrid today, and take back your data. Don't be the product!