WeTransfer is secure enough for sending a vacation photo, but when it comes to business files, the service falls short in a number of areas. Your files are transmitted over the network in encrypted form, but you have no control over who uses the download link, how long it remains active, or what happens to your file afterward. If you’re sending personal data or confidential documents, a business solution with authentication and logging is a better choice.
What exactly happens to your files?
When you upload a file to WeTransfer, it is stored on the service’s servers. The recipient receives a link that allows them to download the file. The data transmitted between your computer and the server is encrypted, as is the stored data. From a technical standpoint, there’s little to worry about.
The risk lies elsewhere: in the link itself. Whoever has the link has the file. By default, there is no password, the recipient does not have to identify themselves, and the link can be forwarded without anyone noticing. If you type the email address incorrectly, the file will go to someone else, and you won’t even realize it.
The change in terms and conditions in July 2025
In July 2025, WeTransfer updated its terms of service. The new text included a broad, royalty-free license that allowed the company to use uploaded files for purposes including the development of machine learning models. Following criticism from users, WeTransfer revised the wording again within a few days. The explicit reference to AI training was removed, but the company retained a license to use content for the purpose of operating and improving its services.
Exactly what those services entail is not clearly defined. For an individual, this is a matter of personal judgment. For an organization that sends contracts, quotes, or files, it’s a decision you don’t want to leave up to the provider. Read more about the implications of this controversy for Dutch providers.
Is WeTransfer secure for personal data?
This is the most frequently asked question, and the answer depends on what you’re sending and what you can prove. The GDPR requires you to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures when processing personal data. In practice, this involves three things that WeTransfer does not offer by default.
- You cannot determine who downloaded the file, because the recipient is not required to identify themselves.
- You don't have a complete log of what was sent, to whom, and when.
- You can't cancel a shipment as soon as you realize something has gone wrong.
If you send a resume along with a copy of a passport, a medical record, or a customer database, it will be difficult to justify this to a regulatory authority or an auditor.
Five Areas Where Business Goes Wrong
- No mandatory authentication. The recipient clicks on a link and downloads the file. There is no verification that the recipient is the correct person.
- Links stay active for too long. A download link that remains active for days is an open door as long as it exists.
- You can't stop an email from being forwarded. A link in a forwarded email will still work.
- Limited logging. If something goes wrong, it's difficult to determine afterward what happened.
- Wrong address—no going back. You cannot correct a transfer once it has been sent.
These risks are particularly relevant in everyday business use. We’ve discussed them in more detail in this article about the business risks of WeTransfer.
When is WeTransfer actually a good option?
Not every file requires a secure environment. Whether you’re sending a photo essay to a friend, a design file without client data, or a file that’s already public, WeTransfer is fast and convenient. The situation changes only when personal data, financial information, or sensitive business documents are involved.
A simple rule of thumb: Would you feel comfortable posting the file on a public website? If not, then you need more control than a download link provides.
How can you send files securely?
A business solution for file transfer addresses exactly the areas where a free transfer service falls short. With FileCap, this means:
- The recipient must verify their identity before they can open the file, for example, using a code sent via text message.
- You can set how long a file remains available, and you can revoke a transfer after it has been sent.
- Every shipment is logged so you can document what happened.
- The data is stored within the EU and is not used to train AI models.
- You can simply work from Outlook or through the web portal, so it's just as fast as you're used to.
Want to know how the popular file-sharing services compare? We've compared the five best WeTransfer alternatives in terms of security, data location, and price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WeTransfer safe or not?
Technically, the connection is encrypted, so it's secure enough for non-sensitive files. However, when it comes to personal data or confidential documents, the safeguards you need for business purposes are lacking.
How secure is WeTransfer for businesses?
For occasional use with harmless files, there’s little to worry about. For regular business use, however, it’s difficult to comply with your GDPR obligations because authentication, logging, and revocation are lacking.
Does WeTransfer use my files for AI training?
The explicit reference to AI training was removed from the terms and conditions in July 2025 following criticism. The company does, however, retain a license to use content to improve its services. Exactly what this entails has not been defined.
Can I cancel a WeTransfer I've already sent?
Not in the free version. If you sent the file to the wrong address, you can't undo the transfer. With a business solution like FileCap, you can.
What is a good alternative to WeTransfer?
That depends on your requirements regarding data location, authentication, and price. In our overview of secure WeTransfer alternatives, we compare the options side by side.
Try it out for yourself
Wondering if secure file transfer is just as fast as what you're used to? Try FileCap free for 30 days, or request a demo and let a specialist walk you through it.
