Dropbox

Dropbox brings files together in one central place by creating a special folder on the user's computer.{{Cite web |last=Wen |first=Howard |date=Feb 8, 2022 |title=How to use Dropbox for team collaboration |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3607759/how-to-use-dropbox-for-team-collaboration.html |access-date=September 30, 2022 |archive-date=September 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930153123/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3607759/how-to-use-dropbox-for-team-collaboration.html |url-status=live }} The contents of these folders are synchronized to Dropbox's servers and to other computers and devices where the user has installed Dropbox, keeping the same files up-to-date on all devices. Dropbox uses a freemium business model, where users are offered a free account with set storage size, with paid subscriptions available that offer more capacity and additional features. Dropbox Basic users are given two gigabytes of free storage space.{{Cite web |author1=Barclay Ballard |date=2022-08-31 |title=Google Drive vs Dropbox: Which cloud solution is right for you? |url=https://www.techradar.com/versus/google-drive-vs-dropbox-which-cloud-solution-is-right-for-you |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=TechRadar |language=en |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171032/https://www.techradar.com/versus/google-drive-vs-dropbox-which-cloud-solution-is-right-for-you |url-status=live }} Dropbox offers computer apps for Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux computers, and mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets.{{Cite web |last=Ricknäs |first=Mikael |date=2015-01-22 |title=Dropbox for Windows Phone hints at Microsoft's cross-platform future |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2873618/dropbox-for-windows-phone-hints-at-microsofts-cross-platform-future.html |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Computerworld |language=en |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170507/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2873618/dropbox-for-windows-phone-hints-at-microsofts-cross-platform-future.html |url-status=live }} In March 2013, the company acquired Mailbox, a popular email app, and in April 2014, the company introduced Dropbox Carousel, a photo and video gallery app. Both Mailbox and Carousel were shut down in December 2015, with key features from both apps implemented into the regular Dropbox service.{{Cite web |last=Solomon |first=Brian |title=Dropbox Gives Up On Mailbox, Carousel |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2015/12/07/dropbox-gives-up-on-mailbox-carousel/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163525/https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2015/12/07/dropbox-gives-up-on-mailbox-carousel/ |url-status=live }} In October 2015, it officially announced Dropbox Paper, its collaborative document editor.

{{See also|Timeline of Dropbox}}

Dropbox founder Drew Houston conceived the Dropbox concept after repeatedly forgetting his USB flash drive while he was a student at MIT.{{Cite web |last=Ying |first=Jon |date=February 5, 2009 |title=Meet the Team! (Part 1) |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2009/02/meet-the-team-part-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721170853/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2009/02/meet-the-team-part-1/ |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox}}

Houston founded Evenflow, Inc. in May 2007{{Cite web |date=2012-01-15 |title=Dropbox inventor determined to build the next Apple or Google |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-jan-15-la-fi-dropbox-20120115-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331172056/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-jan-15-la-fi-dropbox-20120115-story.html |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} as the company behind Dropbox, and shortly thereafter secured seed funding from Y Combinator.{{Cite web |last=Shontell |first=Alyson |title=This Is Drew Houston's 2007 Y Combinator Application For A Company That's Now Worth $4 Billion, Dropbox |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-y-combinator-application-from-2007-by-drew-houston-2013-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510045330/https://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-y-combinator-application-from-2007-by-drew-houston-2013-9 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} Dropbox was officially launched at 2008's TechCrunch Disrupt, an annual technology conference.{{Cite web |last=Kincaid |first=Jason |date=October 13, 2009 |title=Dropbox Acquires The Domain Everyone Thought It Had: Dropbox.com |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/10/13/dropbox-acquires-the-domain-everyone-thought-it-had-dropbox-com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710174654/http://techcrunch.com/2009/10/13/dropbox-acquires-the-domain-everyone-thought-it-had-dropbox-com/ |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}} Owing to trademark disputes between Proxy, Inc. and Evenflow, Dropbox's official domain name was "getdropbox.com" until October 2009, when it acquired its current domain, "dropbox.com". In October 2009, Evenflow, Inc. was renamed Dropbox, Inc.{{Cite web |date=2018-02-23 |title=Form S-1 Registration Statement – Dropbox, Inc. |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1467623/000119312518055809/d451946ds1.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128101033/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1467623/000119312518055809/d451946ds1.htm |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=2018-10-22 |website=www.sec.gov |quote="We were incorporated in May 2007 as Evenflow, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and changed our name to Dropbox, Inc. in October 2009."}}

In an interview with TechCrunch's "Founder Stories" in October 2011, Houston explained that a demo video was released during Dropbox's early days, with one viewer being Arash Ferdowsi. Ferdowsi was "so impressed" that they formed a partnership. In regards to competition, Houston stated that "It is easy for me to explain the idea, it is actually really hard to do it."{{Cite web |last=Shontell |first=Alyson |title=This Is Drew Houston's 2007 Y Combinator Application For A Company That's Now Worth $4 Billion, Dropbox |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-y-combinator-application-from-2007-by-drew-houston-2013-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510045330/https://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-y-combinator-application-from-2007-by-drew-houston-2013-9 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}

File:Drew Houston (Dropbox) (6478266407) (cropped).jpg|Dropbox founder Drew Houston

File:Arash Ferdowsi 2014 (cropped).jpg|Dropbox founder Arash Ferdowsi

Dropbox saw steady user growth after its inception. It surpassed the 1 million registered users milestone in April 2009, followed by 2 million in September, and 3 million in November. It passed 50 million users in October 2011, 100 million in November 2012,{{Cite web |last=Houston |first=Drew |date=November 12, 2012 |title=Thanks a (hundred) million |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2012/11/thanks-a-hundred-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826063708/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2012/11/thanks-a-hundred-million/ |archive-date=August 26, 2018 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox}}{{Cite web |last=Tam |first=Donna |date=November 13, 2012 |title=Dropbox passes 100-million-user mark |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/dropbox-passes-100-million-user-mark/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000001/https://www.cnet.com/news/dropbox-passes-100-million-user-mark/ |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=CNET |publisher=CBS Interactive}} 500 million in 2016,{{Cite web |last1=Houston |first1=Drew |last2=Ferdowsi |first2=Arash |date=March 7, 2016 |title=Celebrating half a billion users |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2016/03/500-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006053631/https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/company/500-million |archive-date=October 6, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox}}{{Cite web |last=Darrow |first=Barb |date=March 7, 2016 |title=Dropbox Claims Half a Billion Users |url=http://fortune.com/2016/03/07/dropbox-half-a-billion-users/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217020007/https://fortune.com/2016/03/07/dropbox-half-a-billion-users/ |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=Fortune |publisher=Time Inc.}} and 700 million in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Q1 2021 Dropbox Investors Presentation |url=https://investors.dropbox.com/static-files/c4f1663b-a67f-4688-bba6-3c24d8ffa5e0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630081746/https://investors.dropbox.com/static-files/c4f1663b-a67f-4688-bba6-3c24d8ffa5e0 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=12 June 2022}}

In July 2012, Dropbox acquired TapEngage, a startup that "enables advertisers and publishers to collaborate on tablet-optimized advertising".{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Billy |date=July 17, 2012 |title=Dropbox Acquires Small Tablet Marketing Company TapEngage |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/07/17/dropbox-acquires-small-tablet-marketing-company-tapengage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221911/https://techcrunch.com/2012/07/17/dropbox-acquires-small-tablet-marketing-company-tapengage/ |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=TechCrunch}} The following December, Dropbox acquired two companies; Audiogalaxy, a startup "allowing users to store their music files and playlists in the cloud then stream them to any device",{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=December 13, 2012 |title=With Audiogalaxy Acquisition, Dropbox Signals Its Cloud Music Ambitions |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/13/with-audiogalaxy-acquisition-dropbox-signals-its-cloud-music-ambitions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128123109/https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/13/with-audiogalaxy-acquisition-dropbox-signals-its-cloud-music-ambitions/ |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}} and Snapjoy, a company that allowed users to "aggregate, archive and view all of their digital photos from their cameras, phones and popular apps like Flickr, Instagram and Picasa, and then view them online or via an iOS app".{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=December 19, 2012 |title=Dropbox Acquires Snapjoy And Puts Photos Into Its Focus |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/19/dropbox-acquires-snapjoy-and-puts-photos-into-its-focus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111163127/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_8f9bd7e6-1aa5-488b-90ab-27dff0a0ffbe |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}} In July 2013, Dropbox acquired Endorse, a "mobile coupon startup".{{Cite web |last=Lawler |first=Ryan |date=July 20, 2013 |title=Dropbox Acquires Mobile Coupon Startup Endorse A Month After Shutdown |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/07/20/dropbox-acquires-mobile-coupon-startup-endorse-a-month-after-shutdown/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128174809/https://techcrunch.com/2013/07/20/dropbox-acquires-mobile-coupon-startup-endorse-a-month-after-shutdown/ |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}}

In May 2014, Dropbox acquired Bubbli, a startup that has "built some innovative ways of incorporating 3D technology into 2D views, and packaging it in a mobile app".{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=May 20, 2014 |title=Dropbox Buys Bubbli, Will Integrate The 3D Photo Tech Into Its Photo Service |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/20/dropbox-buys-bubbli-will-integrate-its-3d-photo-tech-into-dropboxs-photo-service/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130070038/https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/20/dropbox-buys-bubbli-will-integrate-its-3d-photo-tech-into-dropboxs-photo-service/ |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}}{{Cite web |last=Blattberg |first=Eric |date=May 20, 2014 |title=Dropbox puts 3D photo startup Bubbli into its shopping cart |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/05/20/dropbox-puts-3d-photo-startup-bubbli-into-its-shopping-cart/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029114114/https://venturebeat.com/2014/05/20/dropbox-puts-3d-photo-startup-bubbli-into-its-shopping-cart/ |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=VentureBeat}}

In January 2015, Dropbox acquired CloudOn, a company that provided mobile applications for document editing and creation. At the same time, Dropbox told TechCrunch that CloudOn's base in Herzliya would become the first Dropbox office in Israel.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=January 20, 2015 |title=Dropbox Buys Mobile Productivity Startup CloudOn, Gets Office In Israel In The Process |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/20/dropbox-cloudon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129140036/https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/20/dropbox-cloudon/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}} In July, Dropbox acquired Clementine, an enterprise communication service.{{Cite web |last=Lynley |first=Matthew |date=July 22, 2015 |title=Dropbox Acquires Clementine, An Enterprise Communication Service |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/07/22/dropbox-acquires-clementine-an-enterprise-communication-service/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026010004/https://techcrunch.com/2015/07/22/dropbox-acquires-clementine-an-enterprise-communication-service/ |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}}

In April 2014, Dropbox acquired photo-sharing company Loom (which would be shut down and integrated with the then-recently announced Carousel),{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=April 17, 2014 |title=Dropbox acquires Loom, will shut down its cloud photo service on May 16th |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/17/5624890/dropbox-acquires-loom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111185847/http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/17/5624890/dropbox-acquires-loom |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media}} and document-sharing startup Hackpad.{{Cite web |last=Billings |first=Mike |date=April 17, 2014 |title=Dropbox Acquires Startups Loom, Hackpad in Push to Expand Services |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2014/04/17/dropbox-acquires-startups-loom-hackpad-in-push-to-expand-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506060139/https://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2014/04/17/dropbox-acquires-startups-loom-hackpad-in-push-to-expand-services/ |archive-date=May 6, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones & Company}}{{subscription required}}{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=April 17, 2014 |title=Dropbox Acquires Cloud Photos Startup Loom And Document Collaboration Service Hackpad |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/04/17/dropbox-acquires-cloud-photos-startup-loom-service-to-be-shut-down-as-users-transferred-to-carousel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130045622/https://techcrunch.com/2014/04/17/dropbox-acquires-cloud-photos-startup-loom-service-to-be-shut-down-as-users-transferred-to-carousel/ |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}} Dropbox later announced in April 2017 that Hackpad would be shut down on July 19, with all notes being migrated to Dropbox Paper.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=April 26, 2017 |title=Dropbox is shuttering Hackpad, the collaborative document service it bought in 2014 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/26/dropbox-is-closing-down-hackpad/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021172056/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/26/dropbox-is-closing-down-hackpad/ |archive-date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL}}{{Cite web |last=Novet |first=Jordan |date=April 25, 2017 |title=Dropbox is killing Hackpad on July 19 and moving users' files to Paper |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/25/dropbox-is-killing-hackpad-on-july-19-and-moving-users-files-to-paper/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221909/https://venturebeat.com/2017/04/25/dropbox-is-killing-hackpad-on-july-19-and-moving-users-files-to-paper/ |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2017 |website=VentureBeat}}

In January 2019, Dropbox acquired e-signature company HelloSign.{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2019 |title=Dropbox is acquiring HelloSign to improve document workflows for hundreds of millions of users |url=https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/company/dropbox-is-acquiring-hellosign-to-improve-document-workflows-for |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110134633/https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/company/dropbox-is-acquiring-hellosign-to-improve-document-workflows-for |archive-date=November 10, 2020 |access-date=March 2, 2020}} The acquisition was reported to be Dropbox's largest to date, at a reported $230 million.{{Cite web |date=January 28, 2019 |title=x |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/28/dropbox-acquires-hellosign-for-230-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026070229/https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/28/dropbox-acquires-hellosign-for-230-million/ |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |access-date=March 2, 2020}}

In March 2021, Dropbox announced the acquisition of DocSend. DocSend offers a secure document sharing and analytics product.{{Cite web |last=Roe |first=David |date=March 12, 2021 |title=IBM Cloud Satellite Runs Workplace Apps Everywhere, Dropbox Buys DocSend, More |url=https://www.cmswire.com/digital-workplace/ibm-cloud-satellite-runs-workplace-apps-everywhere-dropbox-buys-docsend-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312151914/https://www.cmswire.com/digital-workplace/ibm-cloud-satellite-runs-workplace-apps-everywhere-dropbox-buys-docsend-more/ |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |access-date=March 14, 2021 |website=CMSWire |publisher=Simpler Media Group, Inc.}}

In October 2021, Dropbox announced that an agreement to acquire universal search company Command E has been signed.{{Cite web |title=Welcome Command E to Dropbox! |url=https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/company/welcome-command-e-to-dropbox- |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=blog.dropbox.com |language=en}}

In November 2022, Dropbox announced that an agreement to acquire several key assets from Boxcryptor has been signed. Boxcryptor is a provider of end-to-end zero-knowledge encryption for cloud storage services.{{Cite web |title=Dropbox to acquire Boxcryptor assets, bring end-to-end encryption to business users |url=https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/company/dropbox-to-acquire-boxcryptor-assets-bring-end-to-end-encryption-to-business-users |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609200032/https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/company/dropbox-to-acquire-boxcryptor-assets-bring-end-to-end-encryption-to-business-users |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=blog.dropbox.com |language=en}}

In December 2022, Dropbox announced the acquisition of form management platform FormSwift for $95 million.{{Cite web |last=Wiggers |first=Kyle |date=2022-12-16 |title=Dropbox buys form management platform FormSwift for $95M in cash |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/16/dropbox-buys-form-management-platform-formswift-for-95m-in-cash/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609195202/https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/16/dropbox-buys-form-management-platform-formswift-for-95m-in-cash/ |archive-date=June 9, 2024 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

In August 2024, Dropbox announced the acquisition of AI scheduling tool Reclaim.ai.{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |date=2024-08-22 |title=Dropbox acquires Index Ventures-backed AI scheduling tool Reclaim.ai |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/22/dropbox-acquires-index-ventures-backed-ai-scheduling-tool-reclaim-ai/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117212840/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/22/dropbox-acquires-index-ventures-backed-ai-scheduling-tool-reclaim-ai/ |archive-date=November 17, 2024 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Dropbox was one of the first companies to shift to a remote workforce. In October 2020, the company announced its "virtual first" initiative which would shift the company to a long-term remote working plan, which launched officially April 2021.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Barbara |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Dropbox helped end the physical thumb drive era, but the cloud is getting crowded |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/17/dropbox-helped-end-thumb-drive-era-but-the-cloud-is-getting-crowded.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124193214/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/17/dropbox-helped-end-thumb-drive-era-but-the-cloud-is-getting-crowded.html |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |title=Dropbox Tossed Out the Workplace Rulebook |url=https://time.com/6204715/dropbox-remote-work/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124193216/https://time.com/6204715/dropbox-remote-work/ |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-01-24 |magazine=Time |language=en}}

In January 2021, Dropbox CEO Houston announced the layoff of 315 employees, which is approximately 11 percent of the current workforce. The company said the reductions were necessary in order to focus the company team structure and focus on top level priorities. The software firm also announced that COO Olivia Nottebohm would be leaving the company on February 5, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Gagliordi |first=Natalie |date=2021-01-13 |title=Dropbox will lay off 315 employees, COO to step down |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-will-lay-off-315-employees-coo-to-step-down/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115204332/https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-will-lay-off-315-employees-coo-to-step-down/ |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=2021-01-13 |work=ZDNet}} In the same month, Dropbox announced it would sublease much of its office space in a transition to remote work.{{Cite news |date=2021-02-18 |title=Dropbox to sublease some offices in transition to remote working |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/dropbox-sublease-some-offices-transition-remote-working-2021-02-18/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123165848/https://www.reuters.com/technology/dropbox-sublease-some-offices-transition-remote-working-2021-02-18/ |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-23 |work=Reuters |language=en}}

In April 2023, Houston announced the layoff of roughly 500 employees, or 16 percent of the current workforce. The company cited a slowdown in growth and a need for different, AI-focused skill-sets.{{Cite news |last=Bary |first=Emily |title=Dropbox to cut 16% of staff, citing slowing growth and a need for AI-focused talent |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dropbox-to-cut-16-of-staff-citing-slowing-growth-and-a-need-for-ai-focused-talent-793a9eec |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427135955/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dropbox-to-cut-16-of-staff-citing-slowing-growth-and-a-need-for-ai-focused-talent-793a9eec |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-27 |work=MarketWatch |language=EN-US}} In October 2024, Houston announced the layoff of roughly 528 employees, or 20 percent of the current workforce.{{Cite news |title=Dropbox is laying off 20% of staff |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/30/dropbox-is-laying-off-20-of-its-staff/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |work=Techcrunch}}

Dropbox has computer apps for Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux computers,{{cite web |title=What is the Dropbox desktop application? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/65 |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107003729/https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/65 |url-status=live }} and mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets.{{cite web |title=Dropbox mobile apps |url=https://www.dropbox.com/mobile |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001160227/https://www.dropbox.com/mobile |url-status=live }} It also offers a website interface.{{cite web |first=Chance |last=Miller |title=Dropbox rolling out all-new user interface on the web |url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/04/04/dropbox-rolling-out-all-new-user-interface-on-the-web/ |website=9to5Mac |date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725230207/https://9to5mac.com/2017/04/04/dropbox-rolling-out-all-new-user-interface-on-the-web/ |url-status=live }} As part of its partnership with Microsoft, Dropbox announced a universal Windows 10 app in January 2016.{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Hachman |title=Windows 10 needed universal apps, and Dropbox made one, complete with Windows Hello |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3025504/windows/windows-10-needed-universal-apps-and-dropbox-made-one-complete-with-windows-hello.html |website=PC World |publisher=International Data Group |date=January 21, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |archive-date=April 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411054554/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3025504/windows/windows-10-needed-universal-apps-and-dropbox-made-one-complete-with-windows-hello.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Mary Jo |last=Foley |title=Dropbox rolling out its new Universal Windows 10 app |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-rolling-out-its-new-universal-windows-10-app/ |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=January 21, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029062205/https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-rolling-out-its-new-universal-windows-10-app/ |url-status=live }}

Dropbox's apps offer an automatic photo uploading feature, allowing users to automatically upload photos or videos from cameras, tablets, SD cards, or smartphones to a dedicated "Camera Uploads" folder in their Dropbox. Users are given 500 megabytes of extra space for uploading their first photo, and are given up to 3 gigabytes of extra space if users continue using the method for more photos.{{cite magazine |first=Jared |last=Newman |title=Dropbox Gets Automatic Photo Uploads, Offers 3 GB Incentive |url=https://techland.time.com/2012/04/27/dropbox-gets-automatic-photo-uploads-offers-3-gb-incentive/ |magazine=Time |publisher=Time Inc. |date=April 27, 2012 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828233315/https://techland.time.com/2012/04/27/dropbox-gets-automatic-photo-uploads-offers-3-gb-incentive/ |url-status=live }}

In July 2014, Dropbox introduced "streaming sync" for its computer apps. Streaming sync was described as a new "supercharged"{{cite web |first=Nipunn |last=Koorapati |title=Introducing streaming sync: Supercharged sync for large files |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2014/07/introducing-streaming-sync-supercharged-sync-for-large-files/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814210808/https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/product/introducing-streaming-sync-supercharged-sync-for-large-files |url-status=live }} synchronization speed for large files that improves the upload or download time by up to 2 times.{{cite web |first=Edgar |last=Alvarez |title=Dropbox makes syncing your large files faster |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/11/dropbox-streaming-sync/ |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |date=July 11, 2014 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221907/https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/11/dropbox-streaming-sync/ |url-status=live }}

In August 2015, Dropbox announced the availability of "Universal 2nd Factor" USB security keys, providing two-factor authentication for logging into its services.{{cite web |first1=Patrick |last1=Heim |first2=Jay |last2=Patel |title=Introducing U2F support for secure authentication |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2015/08/u2f-security-keys/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=August 12, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108122625/https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/product/u2f-security-keys |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Russell |last=Brandom |title=Dropbox will now let you use a USB key for two-factor login |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/12/9142297/dropbox-two-factor-login-usb-security-key |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=August 12, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115241/http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/12/9142297/dropbox-two-factor-login-usb-security-key |url-status=live }}

Dropbox received initial funding from seed accelerator Y Combinator.

In October 2008, Dropbox raised a $6 million Series A round led by Sequoia Capital with participation from Accel.{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/24/dropbox-sequoia-funding/ | title=Dropbox Raised $6 Million Sequoia-Led Series A In October 2008 | first=Jason | last=Kincaid | work=TechCrunch | date=November 24, 2009}}{{Cite news | url=https://archive.nytimes.com/dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/11/30/dropbox-says-it-raised-6-million-last-year/ | title=Dropbox Says It Raised $6 Million Last Year | work=The New York Times | date=November 30, 2009}}

A May 2010 report in The Wall Street Journal said that "since [founder Drew Houston] started reading Eric Ries' Lean startup blog about a year ago, the company has started trickling out new features when they are ready instead of waiting to launch a fully featured product. That helps test customer appetite, he says, dubbing the practice "minimum viable product".{{cite web |first=Pui-Wing |last=Tam |title=Philosophy Helps Start-Ups Move Faster |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704635204575242543105830072 |website=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones & Company |date=May 20, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025002233/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704635204575242543105830072 |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}

TechCrunch reported in July 2011 that Dropbox had been looking to raise between US$200 and US$300 million, and had a valuation "to end up in the $5 billion to $10 billion range. [...] quite a step up from its previous funding rounds which have totalled a tiny $7.2 million".{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Lacy |title=Dropbox Raising Massive Round at a $5B-Plus Valuation |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/07/12/dropbox-raising-massive-round-at-a-5b-plus-valuation/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=July 12, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406141743/https://techcrunch.com/2011/07/12/dropbox-raising-massive-round-at-a-5b-plus-valuation/ |url-status=live }} As noted in a Forbes article, Dropbox had "revenue on track to hit $240 million in 2011".{{cite web |first=Victoria |last=Barret |title=Dropbox: The Inside Story Of Tech's Hottest Startup |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriabarret/2011/10/18/dropbox-the-inside-story-of-techs-hottest-startup/ |website=Forbes |date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202130841/http://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriabarret/2011/10/18/dropbox-the-inside-story-of-techs-hottest-startup/ |url-status=live }}

In April 2012, Dropbox announced that Bono and The Edge, two members of the Irish rock band U2, were individual investors in the company.{{cite web |first=Lisa |last=O'Carroll |title=U2's Bono and the Edge invest in Dropbox |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/apr/03/u2-bono-edge-dropbox |website=The Guardian |date=April 3, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032846/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/apr/03/u2-bono-edge-dropbox |url-status=live }}

In 2014 Dropbox raised financing from BlackRock Inc. and others that values the company at $10 billion.

{{cite web |first=Lisa |last=O'Carroll |title=Dropbox Value Said to Be $10 Billion in BlackRock Funding |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-01-18/dropbox-said-to-be-worth-10-billion-in-blackrock-funding |website=Bloomberg.com |publisher=Bloomberg |date=January 18, 2014 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122031442/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3AXVZ1rcm24ewJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2014-01-18%2Fdropbox-said-to-be-worth-10-billion-in-blackrock-funding+&cd=4&hl=fr&ct=clnk&gl=fr&client=opera |url-status=dead }}

In March 2017, Bloomberg reported that Dropbox had secured a US$600 million credit line, with the company expected to file for its initial public offering (IPO) "as soon as this year".{{cite web |first1=Dina |last1=Bass |first2=Alex |last2=Barinka |title=Dropbox Secures $600 Million Credit Line Ahead of Expected IPO |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-30/dropbox-secures-600-million-credit-line-ahead-of-expected-ipo |website=Bloomberg Businessweek |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2017 }}{{cite web |first=Romain |last=Dillet |title=Dropbox reportedly secures a $600 million credit line |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/30/dropbox-has-reportedly-secured-a-600-million-credit-line/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022325/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_fda7d7fc-cd02-4612-a224-a0e770c04dbf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Potuck |title=Dropbox opening $600M credit line, potentially ready for IPO this year |url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/03/30/dropbox-credit-ipo/ |website=9to5Mac |date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2017 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805230533/https://9to5mac.com/2017/03/30/dropbox-credit-ipo/ |url-status=live }}

In February 2018, Dropbox filed an IPO to be listed on the Nasdaq. The company's initial intent was to raise $500 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/dropbox-ipo-form-s-1-prospectus-filing-full-text.html|title=Dropbox files to go public with over $1.1 billion in annual revenue|last=Balakrishnan|first=Anita|date=2018-02-23|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-03-06|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033855/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/dropbox-ipo-form-s-1-prospectus-filing-full-text.html|url-status=live}} Dropbox's stock rose 42 percent to $29.89 in its first day of trading on March 23, 2018.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/technology/articles/2018-03-23/shares-of-dropbox-surge-in-first-day-of-trading|title=Shares of Dropbox surge in first day of trading|magazine=U.S. News & World Report|date=2018-03-23|access-date=August 15, 2018|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221904/https://www.usnews.com/news/technology/articles/2018-03-23/shares-of-dropbox-surge-in-first-day-of-trading|url-status=live}}

As of February 2021, Dropbox had been profitable in the last three quarters.{{Cite news|url=https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/software/nasdaq-dbx/dropbox/news/dropbox-incs-nasdaqdbx-stock-is-going-strong-have-financials|title=Dropbox, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:DBX) Stock Is Going Strong: Have Financials A Role To Play?|work=Simply Wall Street|access-date=January 27, 2021|archive-date=April 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408035126/https://simplywall.st/stocks/us/software/nasdaq-dbx/dropbox/news/dropbox-incs-nasdaqdbx-stock-is-going-strong-have-financials|url-status=live}}

Dropbox uses a freemium business model, where users are offered a free account with a set storage size, with paid subscriptions available that offer more capacity and additional features.{{cite web |title=What is Dropbox Plus? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/help/6908?path=space_and_storage |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=2017-01-06 |archive-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426115830/https://www.dropbox.com/help/6908?path=space_and_storage |url-status=live }} Accordingly, Dropbox's revenue is a product of how many users they can convert to their paid services.{{cite web |title=Dropbox Business |url=https://dropbox.gcs-web.com/node/8226/html#sFD66472885B3538E82D2D0B5B54482E2 |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=2020-10-11 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022074741/https://dropbox.gcs-web.com/node/8226/html#sFD66472885B3538E82D2D0B5B54482E2 |url-status=live }}

Dropbox Basic users are given two gigabytes of free storage space.{{cite web|title=How much does Dropbox cost?|url=https://help.dropbox.com/billing/cost|publisher=Dropbox|access-date=2019-03-14|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112033908/https://help.dropbox.com/billing/cost|url-status=dead}} This can be expanded through referrals; users recommend the service to other people, and if those people start using the service, the user is awarded additional 500 megabytes of storage space. Dropbox Basic users can earn up to 16 gigabytes through the referral program.{{cite web|title=How much free referral space can I earn?|url=https://help.dropbox.com/space/how-much-free-space|publisher=Dropbox|access-date=2019-03-14|archive-date=March 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313042759/https://help.dropbox.com/accounts-billing/space-storage/how-much-free-space|url-status=live}}

The Dropbox Plus subscription (named Dropbox Pro prior to March 2017{{cite web |first=John |last=Adams |title=Dropbox Pro is now Dropbox Plus |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2017/03/dropbox-plus/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=March 2, 2017 |access-date=March 2, 2017 |archive-date=March 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313024108/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2017/03/dropbox-plus/ |url-status=live }}) gives users 2 terabytes of storage space, as well as additional features, including:

• Advanced sharing controls: When sharing a link to a file or folder, users can set passwords and expiration limits.{{cite web |title=Shared links controls overview |url=https://www.dropbox.com/help/5886 |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=August 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826101249/https://help.dropbox.com/files-folders/share/view-only-access |url-status=live }}
• Remote wipe: If a device is stolen or lost, users can remotely wipe the Dropbox folder from the device the next time it comes online.{{cite web |title=Remote wipe overview |url=https://www.dropbox.com/help/4227 |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426114254/https://www.dropbox.com/help/4227 |url-status=live }}
• "Extended Version History": An available add-on, it makes Dropbox keep deleted and previous versions of files for one year, a significant extension of the default 30-day recovery time.{{cite web |title=What is extended version history? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/help/113 |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426094712/https://www.dropbox.com/help/113 |url-status=live }}

In November 2013, Dropbox announced changes to "Dropbox for Business" that would enable users to connect both their personal Dropbox and their business Dropbox to the same device, with each of the folders being "properly labeled for personal or work, and come with its own password, contacts, settings, and files". Furthermore, Dropbox announced shared audit logs, remote wipe for business administrators, and account transfers, as new features of its Business offering.{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Dropbox Hits 200M Users, Unveils New "For Business" Client Combining Work And Personal Files |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/11/13/dropbox-hits-200-million-users-and-announces-new-products-for-businesses/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127174049/https://techcrunch.com/2013/11/13/dropbox-hits-200-million-users-and-announces-new-products-for-businesses/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Ilya |last=Fushman |title=Meet the all-new Dropbox for Business |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/business/2013/11/meet-the-all-new-dropbox-for-business/ |website=Dropbox Business Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429204327/https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/company/meet-the-all-new-dropbox-for-business |url-status=live }} In January 2017, Dropbox introduced "Smart Sync" for Business and Enterprise customers, a feature that lets Windows and macOS users see all files in the Dropbox folder, but only download specific files on-demand.{{cite web |first=Rob |last=Baesman |title=Introducing Dropbox Smart Sync and new collaboration tools |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/business/2017/01/introducing-smart-sync-and-new-collaboration-tools/ |website=Dropbox Business Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008000840/https://blogs.dropbox.com/business/2017/01/introducing-smart-sync-and-new-collaboration-tools/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Matthew |last=Lynley |title=Dropbox's Smart Sync lets users open a file stored only in the cloud like any normal file |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/30/dropboxs-smart-sync-lets-users-open-a-file-stored-only-in-the-cloud-like-any-normal-file/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020805/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_c06bfde9-75fb-498d-836a-5aa163831a59 |url-status=live }}

Similar to Dropbox Basic, Dropbox Plus users can also earn extra space through referrals. Plus users earn 1 gigabyte per referral, up to 32 gigabytes.

Dropbox Business is Dropbox's application for corporations, adding more business-centered functionality for teams, including collaboration tools, advanced security and control, unlimited file recovery, user management and granular permissions, and options for unlimited storage.{{cite web |title=Do more with Dropbox Business |url=https://www.dropbox.com/business |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121185209/https://www.dropbox.com/business |url-status=live }} For large organizations, Dropbox offers Dropbox Enterprise, the "highest tier" of its product offerings, adding domain management tools, an assigned Dropbox customer support member, and help from "expert advisors" on deployment and user training.{{cite web |title=What is Dropbox Enterprise? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/help/9184?path=dropbox_business |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426114159/https://www.dropbox.com/help/9184?path=dropbox_business |url-status=live }}

In July 2016, Dropbox announced a new "AdminX" administrator dashboard for Business customers, offering improved control of company files and users.{{cite web |first=Ingrid |last=Lunden |title=Dropbox steps up to business users with AdminX, plans device management |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/27/dropbox-adminx-mdm/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101953/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_ad72b96b-a85a-4734-9c32-fd857a179f4b |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Heather |last=Clancy |title=Dropbox Is Flaunting These Improved Security and Collaboration Features |url=http://fortune.com/2016/07/27/dropbox-security-collaboration/ |website=Fortune |publisher=Time Inc. |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804055708/https://fortune.com/2016/07/27/dropbox-security-collaboration/ |url-status=live }} In June 2017, the AdminX dashboard was given a redesign and additional administrator functions, such as log-in durations, custom password strength parameters, and setting specific subdomain verifications for individual teams.{{cite web |first=Ryan |last=Lawler |title=Dropbox updates its admin panel for Business users |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/13/dropbox-business-admin-updates/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=March 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309234456/https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/13/dropbox-business-admin-updates/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Natalie |last=Gagliordi |title=Dropbox rolls out new admin controls for team management |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-rolls-out-new-admin-controls-for-team-management/ |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814032459/https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-rolls-out-new-admin-controls-for-team-management/ |url-status=live }}

In September 2012, Facebook and Dropbox integrated to allow users in Facebook Groups to share files using Dropbox.{{cite web|url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2012/09/share-stuff-from-dropbox-in-your-facebook-groups/|title=Share stuff from Dropbox in your Facebook Groups!|last=Varenhorst|first=Chris|date=September 26, 2012|website=Dropbox Blog|publisher=Dropbox|access-date=February 8, 2017|archive-date=May 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505212259/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2012/09/share-stuff-from-dropbox-in-your-facebook-groups/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/26/facebook-integrates-with-dropbox-to-power-file-sharing-within-facebook-groups/|title=Facebook Integrates With Dropbox To Power File-Sharing Within Facebook Groups|last=Taylor|first=Colleen|date=September 26, 2012|website=TechCrunch|publisher=AOL|access-date=February 8, 2017|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221901/https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/26/facebook-integrates-with-dropbox-to-power-file-sharing-within-facebook-groups/|url-status=live}} In 2013, Samsung pre-loaded the Dropbox mobile application on its Android devices and Dropbox provided extra space for users owning Samsung's devices.{{cite web|last1=Mearian|first1=Lucas|title=Dropbox to be included on all Samsung flagship phones and camera|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2494606/data-center/dropbox-to-be-included-on-all-samsung-flagship-phones-and-camera.html|website=Computerworld|date=January 9, 2013|access-date=2018-04-30|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221030540/https://www.computerworld.com/article/2494606/data-center/dropbox-to-be-included-on-all-samsung-flagship-phones-and-camera.html|url-status=live}} In November 2014, Dropbox announced a partnership with Microsoft to integrate Dropbox and Microsoft Office applications on iOS, Android and the applications on the web.{{cite web |first=Ilya |last=Fushman |title=We're partnering with Microsoft |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2014/11/dropbox-microsoft-office-partnership/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=November 4, 2014 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009203034/https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/product/dropbox-microsoft-office-partnership |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Warren |title=Dropbox and Microsoft form surprise partnership for Office integration |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/11/4/7153975/dropbox-microsoft-partnership-microsoft-office |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=November 4, 2014 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112002651/http://www.theverge.com/2014/11/4/7153975/dropbox-microsoft-partnership-microsoft-office |url-status=live }}

On July 10, 2018, Dropbox announced its partnership with Salesforce aiming to improve brand engagement and team productivity.Adam Rogers, Marketrealist. "[https://marketrealist.com/2018/07/dropbox-announces-partnership-with-salesforce Dropbox Announces Partnership with Salesforce ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806124557/https://marketrealist.com/2018/07/dropbox-announces-partnership-with-salesforce/ |date=August 6, 2020 }}." Jul 10, 2018. Retrieved Jul 18, 2018.

File:Dropbox (7463062672).jpg

The Dropbox software enables users to drop any file into a designated folder. The file is then automatically uploaded to Dropbox's cloud-based service and made available to any other of the user's computers and devices that also have the Dropbox software installed, keeping the file up-to-date on all systems.{{cite web |title=What is syncing and how does it work? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/help/8839?path=syncing_and_uploads |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717234545/https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/sync-overview |url-status=live }} When a file in a user's Dropbox folder is changed, Dropbox only uploads the pieces of the file that have been changed, whenever possible.{{cite web |title=Does Dropbox always upload/download the entire file any time a change is made? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/help/8 |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=April 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426115034/https://www.dropbox.com/help/8 |url-status=live }}

When a file or folder is deleted, users can recover it within 30 days. For Dropbox Plus users, this recovery time can be extended to one year, by purchasing an "Extended Version History" add-on.

Dropbox accounts that are not accessed or emails not replied in a year are automatically deleted.{{Cite web|title=Dropbox shows how it manages costs by deleting inactive accounts|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/dropbox-shows-how-it-manages-costs-by-deleting-inactive-accounts.html|last=Novet|first=Jordan|date=2018-02-23|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023416/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/dropbox-shows-how-it-manages-costs-by-deleting-inactive-accounts.html|url-status=live}}

Dropbox also offers a LAN sync feature, where, instead of receiving information and data from the Dropbox servers, computers on the local network can exchange files directly between each other, potentially significantly improving synchronization speeds.{{cite web |title=What is LAN sync? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/help/137?path=syncing_and_uploads |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721150746/https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/lan-sync-overview |url-status=live }} LAN Sync discovers other peers on the same network via UDP port 17500 using a proprietary discovery protocol{{cite web |title=Inside LAN Sync |url=https://dropbox.tech/infrastructure/inside-lan-sync |website=Dropbox Tech |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130224512/https://dropbox.tech/infrastructure/inside-lan-sync |url-status=live }} developed by early Dropbox engineer Paul Bohm in 2010.{{cite web|title=Protocol Port Number Registry for Port 17500|url=https://www.iana.org/assignments/service-names-port-numbers/service-names-port-numbers.xhtml?search=17500|access-date=December 20, 2020|website=IANA|archive-date=December 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220181410/https://www.iana.org/assignments/service-names-port-numbers/service-names-port-numbers.xhtml?search=17500|url-status=live}}

Originally, the Dropbox servers and computer apps were written in Python.{{cite web |title=6 Lessons From Dropbox – One Million Files Saved Every 15 Minutes |url=http://highscalability.com/blog/2011/3/14/6-lessons-from-dropbox-one-million-files-saved-every-15-minu.html |website=High Scalability Blog |date=March 14, 2011 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722142438/http://highscalability.com/blog/2011/3/14/6-lessons-from-dropbox-one-million-files-saved-every-15-minu.html |url-status=live }} In July 2014, Dropbox began migrating its performance-critical backend infrastructure to Go.{{cite web |author=Patrick Lee |title=Open Sourcing Our Go Libraries |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/tech/2014/07/open-sourcing-our-go-libraries/ |publisher=Dropbox |date=July 1, 2014 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108201036/https://dropbox.tech/infrastructure/open-sourcing-our-go-libraries |url-status=live }}

In September 2012, Dropbox's website code base was rewritten from JavaScript to CoffeeScript.{{cite web |author1=Dan Wheeler |author2=Ziga Mah |title=Dropbox dives into CoffeeScript |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/tech/2012/09/dropbox-dives-into-coffeescript/ |publisher=Dropbox |date=September 13, 2012 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101030416/https://dropbox.tech/application/dropbox-dives-into-coffeescript |url-status=live }}

Dropbox originally used Amazon's S3 storage system to store user files, but between 2014 and 2016 they gradually moved away from Amazon to use their own hardware, referred to as "Magic Pocket", due to Dropbox's description as "a place where you keep all your stuff, it doesn't get lost, and you can always access it".{{cite web |first=Cade |last=Metz |title=The epic story of Dropbox's exodus from the Amazon cloud empire |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/03/epic-story-dropboxs-exodus-amazon-cloud-empire |website=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110005805/https://www.wired.com/2016/03/epic-story-dropboxs-exodus-amazon-cloud-empire/ |url-status=live }} In June 2017, the company announced a major global network expansion, aiming to increase synchronization speeds while cutting costs. The expansion, starting with 14 cities across 7 countries on 3 continents, adds "hundreds of gigabits of Internet connectivity with transit providers (regional and global ISPs), and hundreds of new peering partners (where we exchange traffic directly rather than through an ISP)".{{cite web |first=Ron |last=Miller |title=Dropbox announces massive network expansion |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/19/dropbox-announces-massive-network-expansion/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034040/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_7d9ef79d-153c-43f1-b530-9e33be3685a0 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Barb |last=Darrow |title=Exclusive: Dropbox Is Rolling Out a Private Network to Speed Up File Access |url=http://fortune.com/2017/06/19/dropbox-private-network/ |website=Fortune |publisher=Time Inc. |date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111221854/https://fortune.com/2017/06/19/dropbox-private-network/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Natalie |last=Gagliordi |title=Dropbox announces network expansion to boost file access speeds |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-announces-network-expansion-to-boost-file-access-speeds/ |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221859/https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-announces-network-expansion-to-boost-file-access-speeds/ |url-status=live }}

Dropbox uses SSL transfers for synchronization and stores the data via Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256 encryption.{{cite web |title=Is Dropbox safe to use? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/27 |website=Dropbox Help Center |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831223541/https://www.dropbox.com/features/security |url-status=live }}

The functionality of Dropbox can be integrated into third-party applications through an application programming interface (API).{{cite web |title=Build your app on the Dropbox platform |url=https://www.dropbox.com/developers |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 8, 2017 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119085231/https://www.dropbox.com/developers |url-status=live }}

Dropbox prevents sharing of copyrighted data, by checking the hash of files shared in public folders or between users against a blacklist of copyrighted material. This only applies to files or folders shared with other users or publicly, and not to files kept in an individual's Dropbox folder that are not shared.{{cite web |first=Greg |last=Kumparak |title=How Dropbox Knows When You're Sharing Copyrighted Stuff (Without Actually Looking At Your Stuff) |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/03/30/how-dropbox-knows-when-youre-sharing-copyrighted-stuff-without-actually-looking-at-your-stuff/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=March 30, 2014 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121015506/https://techcrunch.com/2014/03/30/how-dropbox-knows-when-youre-sharing-copyrighted-stuff-without-actually-looking-at-your-stuff/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Mailbox (application)}}

In March 2013, Dropbox acquired Mailbox, a popular email app, with Mailbox CEO Gentry Underwood saying that "Rather than grow Mailbox on our own, we've decided to join forces with Dropbox and build it out together".{{cite web |first=Ellis |last=Hamburger |title=Dropbox acquires email app Mailbox |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/15/4108640/dropbox-acquires-email-app-mailbox |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111235005/http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/15/4108640/dropbox-acquires-email-app-mailbox |url-status=live }} Under the deal, the developers of Mailbox joined Dropbox, but kept Mailbox running as a stand-alone app. The acquisition was reported to cost $100 million.{{cite web |first=Bryan |last=Bishop |title=Dropbox reportedly paid around $100 million for Mailbox |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/15/4110532/dropbox-reportedly-paid-around-100-million-for-mailbox |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622163632/https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/15/4110532/dropbox-reportedly-paid-around-100-million-for-mailbox |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Alexia |last=Tsotsis |title=Mailbox Cost Dropbox Around $100 Million |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/15/mailbox-cost-dropbox-around-100-million/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101025240/https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/15/mailbox-cost-dropbox-around-100-million/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2015, Dropbox announced the shut-down of Mailbox.{{cite web |first1=Drew |last1=Houston |first2=Arash |last2=Ferdowsi |title=Saying goodbye to Carousel and Mailbox |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2015/12/saying-goodbye-to-carousel-and-mailbox/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223094612/https://blog.dropbox.com/topics/company/saying-goodbye-to-carousel-and-mailbox |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Welch |title=Dropbox is shutting down its Mailbox and Carousel apps |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/7/9862470/dropbox-shutting-down-mailbox-carousel-apps |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101619/http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/7/9862470/dropbox-shutting-down-mailbox-carousel-apps |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Klint |last=Finley |title=Dropbox Kills Mailbox, an App It Bought for $100M |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/12/dropbox-kills-carousel-and-mailbox-as-it-turns-toward-businesses/ |website=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104812/http://www.wired.com/2015/12/dropbox-kills-carousel-and-mailbox-as-it-turns-toward-businesses/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Dropbox Carousel}}

In April 2014, Dropbox introduced Carousel, a photo and video gallery that "combines the photos in your Dropbox with the photos on your phone, and automatically backs up new ones as you take them." Carousel sorted photos by event and date.{{cite web |first=Ramesh |last=Balakrishnan |title=Introducing Carousel: A new gallery from Dropbox |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2014/04/introducing-carousel/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=May 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505194900/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2014/04/introducing-carousel/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Ong |title=Dropbox announces Carousel, a cross-device photo and video gallery |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2014/04/09/dropbox-announces-carousel-cross-device-photo-video-gallery/ |website=The Next Web |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129143429/https://thenextweb.com/insider/2014/04/09/dropbox-announces-carousel-cross-device-photo-video-gallery/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Dropbox unveils Carousel for organizing your photos and videos |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/5594288/dropbox-unveils-carousel-for-organizing-your-photos-and-videos-online |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713193535/https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/5594288/dropbox-unveils-carousel-for-organizing-your-photos-and-videos-online |url-status=live }} In December 2015, Dropbox announced the shut-down of Carousel. In a blog post, Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi explained that "We'll be taking key features from Carousel back to the place where your photos live – in the Dropbox app."

{{Main|Dropbox Paper}}

In April 2015, Dropbox launched a Dropbox Notes collaborative note-taking service in beta testing phase, prompting speculation if Dropbox was planning to bring out a product to compete with Google Docs. TechCrunch noted that Dropbox Notes appeared to be a new version of "Project Composer", a previous iteration of the service with roots from the acquisition of Hackpad in April 2014.{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=Dropbox's Collaborative Note-Taking Service, Dropbox Notes, Heads Into Beta Testing |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/23/dropboxs-collaborative-note-taking-service-dropbox-notes-heads-into-beta-testing/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=April 23, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108102014/http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/23/dropboxs-collaborative-note-taking-service-dropbox-notes-heads-into-beta-testing/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Nathan |last=Ingraham |title=Dropbox is getting ready to launch a collaborative notes service |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/23/8486097/dropbox-notes-collaboration-service-beta |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=April 23, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130221310/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/23/8486097/dropbox-notes-collaboration-service-beta |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Chuong |last=Nguyen |title=Dropbox Notes poised to challenge Google Docs at launch |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/dropbox-notes-poised-to-challenge-google-docs-at-launch-1292112 |website=TechRadar |publisher=Future plc |date=April 24, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202235922/https://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/dropbox-notes-poised-to-challenge-google-docs-at-launch-1292112 |url-status=live }} In October 2015, Dropbox announced the upcoming launch of Dropbox Paper, its collaborative document editor, noted by the media as the result of its development of a Dropbox Notes service earlier in 2015.{{cite web |first=Nathan |last=Ingraham |title=Paper is Dropbox's new vision for how teams can work together |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/10/15/dropbox-paper-team-collaboration-tools/ |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130730/https://www.engadget.com/2015-10-15-dropbox-paper-team-collaboration-tools.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Dropbox announces Paper, its take on collaborative document editing |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/10/15/9541017/dropbox-announces-paper-its-take-on-collaborative-document-editing |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101440/http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/15/9541017/dropbox-announces-paper-its-take-on-collaborative-document-editing |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Romain |last=Dillet |title=Dropbox Announces Paper, A Google Docs Competitor |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/15/dropbox-announces-paper-a-google-docs-competitor/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125060505/https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/15/dropbox-announces-paper-a-google-docs-competitor/ |url-status=live }} Dropbox Paper entered open beta in August 2016, allowing anyone to join and test the product. Mobile apps for Android and iOS were also released.{{cite web |first=Christina |last=Cacioppo |title=Get started with Dropbox Paper – now in open beta |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2016/08/paper-public-beta-and-mobile-apps/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416223959/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2016/08/paper-public-beta-and-mobile-apps/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Katherine |last=Noyes |title=Dropbox Paper, now in open beta, lets teams collaborate in the cloud |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3104057/data-center-cloud/dropbox-paper-is-now-available-to-all-as-an-open-beta.html |website=PC World |publisher=International Data Group |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812153619/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3104057/dropbox-paper-is-now-available-to-all-as-an-open-beta.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Jordan |last=Novet |title=Dropbox launches Paper note-taking app in open beta, releases Android and iOS apps |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/08/03/dropbox-paper-android-ios/ |website=VentureBeat |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108134036/http://venturebeat.com/2016/08/03/dropbox-paper-android-ios/ |url-status=live }} In January 2017, Dropbox Paper was officially launched. Aimed for businesses, Dropbox Paper was described as "one part online document, one part collaboration, one part task management tool, one part content hub" by Rob Baesman, Dropbox's head of product, and allows for importing, editing, and collaboration on "a number of other file types from Google, Microsoft, and others".{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Statt |title=Dropbox finally brings its Google Docs competitor out of beta |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/1/30/14435582/dropbox-paper-business-app-launch-date-ios-android-web |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041758/http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/30/14435582/dropbox-paper-business-app-launch-date-ios-android-web |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Todd |last=Jackson |title=Transforming how teams collaborate |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2017/01/transforming-how-teams-collaborate/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029123455/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2017/01/transforming-how-teams-collaborate/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Matthew |last=Lynley |title=Dropbox's note-taking app Paper launches globally in 21 languages |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/30/dropboxs-note-taking-app-paper-launches-globally-in-21-languages/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123204808/https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/30/dropboxs-note-taking-app-paper-launches-globally-in-21-languages/ |url-status=live }}

Users have devised a number of uses for and mashups of the technology that expand Dropbox's functionality. These include: sending files to a Dropbox via Gmail; using Dropbox to sync instant messaging chat logs; BitTorrent management; password management; remote application launching and system monitoring; and as a free web hosting service.{{cite web |author1=Alex Castle |author2=Norman Chan |title=15 Hacks Every Dropbox User Should Know |url=http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/15_things_you_have_know_about_dropbox? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203124038/http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/15_things_you_have_know_about_dropbox |website=MaximumPC |date=December 9, 2009 |archive-date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Dropbox has received several awards, including the Crunchie Award in 2010 for Best Internet Application,{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Congratulations Crunchies Winners! Facebook Takes Best Overall For The Hat Trick |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/01/08/crunchies-winner/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=January 8, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323070723/https://techcrunch.com/2010/01/08/crunchies-winner/ |url-status=live }} and Macworld{{'}}s 2009 Editor's Choice Award for Software.{{cite web |title=Macworld Editors' Choice Awards: Software |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/1144840/editorschoice2009software.html#slide3 |website=Macworld |publisher=International Data Group |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031100225/https://www.macworld.com/article/1144840/editorschoice2009software.html#slide3 |url-status=live }} It was nominated for a 2010 Webby Award,{{cite web |title=2010 Nominee: Dropbox |url=http://webbyawards.com/winners/2010/web/general-website-categories/web-services-applications/dropbox/ |website=Webby Award |publisher=International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203001645/https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2010/web/general-website-categories/web-services-applications/dropbox/ |url-status=live }} and for the 2010 Mac Design Awards by Ars Technica.{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Foreman |title=Reader's Choice poll for 2010 Ars Design Awards: Mac OS X |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/2010/05/readers-choice-poll-for-2010-ars-design-awardsmac-os-x/ |website=Ars Technica |publisher=Condé Nast |date=May 25, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108091853/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2010/05/readers-choice-poll-for-2010-ars-design-awardsmac-os-x/ |url-status=live }} Dropbox's mobile iPhone app release in 2010 was among the top 10 "best apps" selected by Alex Ahlund, former CEO of two websites focused on mobile apps,{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Ahlund |title=The Top 40 iPhone Apps of 2010 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/12/26/top-40-iphone-apps-2010/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=December 26, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109001334/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_b900bc34-a735-40c8-a927-de3f76dae035 |url-status=live }} and the company's Android app was also selected as one of the top five "best apps" in a list compiled in 2010 by Jason Hiner for ZDNet.{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Hiner |title=Top 25 Android apps: The best of the best |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/top-25-android-apps-the-best-of-the-best/ |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=July 29, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828185124/https://www.zdnet.com/article/top-25-android-apps-the-best-of-the-best/ |url-status=live }} Founders Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi were named among the top 30 under 30 entrepreneurs by Inc. in 2011.{{cite web |title=The 2011 Honorees |url=http://www.inc.com/30under30/2011/honorees.html |website=Inc. |publisher=Mansueto Ventures |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109000137/https://www.inc.com/30under30/2011/honorees.html |url-status=live }}

In 2011, Business Insider named Dropbox the world's sixth most valuable startup,{{cite web |title=The 100 Most Valuable Startups In The World, Revamped And Revised! |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/2011-digital-100 |website=Business Insider |publisher=Axel Springer SE |date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112033214/https://www.businessinsider.com/2011-digital-100?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live }} and in 2017, the publication ranked Dropbox as the eighth most valuable US startup, with a valuation of $10 billion.{{cite web |first=Avery |last=Hartmans |title=THE $10 BILLION CLUB: Meet the 8 most valuable startups in the US |url=http://nordic.businessinsider.com/most-valuable-us-startups-2016-12 |website=Business Insider |publisher=Axel Springer SE |date=January 2, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202233210/https://nordic.businessinsider.com/most-valuable-us-startups-2016-12 |url-status=live }} It has been described as one of Y Combinator's most successful investments to date.{{cite web |first=Erick |last=Schonfeld |title=Who Is In The New Billion Dollar Valuation Club? |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/17/billion-dollar-valuatio-club/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=June 17, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117014325/https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/17/billion-dollar-valuatio-club/ |url-status=live }} Apple launched its own cloud storage service later in 2011, iCloud, but this did not hold back Dropbox's growth.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44766487/ “How two strangers set up Dropbox and made billions”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114155550/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44766487 |date=January 14, 2021 }} (July 16, 2018) In January 2012, Dropbox was named startup of the year by TechCrunch.{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Congratulations Crunchies Winners! Dropbox Is The Best Overall Startup |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/01/31/crunchies-dropbox/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=January 31, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124165322/https://techcrunch.com/2012/01/31/crunchies-dropbox/ |url-status=live }}

Dropbox has been blocked in China since 2014.{{Cite web |last=Leskin |first=Paige |title=Here are all the major US tech companies blocked behind China's 'Great Firewall' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/major-us-tech-companies-blocked-from-operating-in-china-2019-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502023357/https://www.businessinsider.com/major-us-tech-companies-blocked-from-operating-in-china-2019-5 |archive-date=May 2, 2020 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}JON RUSSELL. [https://thenextweb.com/asia/2014/06/19/dropbox-blocked-china-ending-four-month-period-access/ Dropbox is blocked again in China, both apps and web-based service appear affected]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120012632/https://thenextweb.com/asia/2014/06/19/dropbox-blocked-china-ending-four-month-period-access/|date=January 20, 2021}}. thenextweb.com 2014-06-19. [2019-01-08].

{{Main|Criticism of Dropbox}}

Dropbox has been the subject of criticism and controversy related to multiple incidents, including a June 2011 authentication problem that let accounts be accessed for several hours without passwords;{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Dropbox Security Bug Made Passwords Optional For Four Hours |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/20/dropbox-security-bug-made-passwords-optional-for-four-hours/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=June 20, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030040731/https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/20/dropbox-security-bug-made-passwords-optional-for-four-hours/ |url-status=live }} a July 2011 Privacy Policy update with language suggesting Dropbox had ownership of users' data;{{cite web |first=Christopher |last=White |title=Dropbox can legally sell all of your files [Update] |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/dropbox-legally-owns-all-of-your-files |website=Neowin |date=July 2, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024136/http://www.neowin.net/news/dropbox-legally-owns-all-of-your-files |url-status=live }} concerns about Dropbox employee access to users' information;{{cite web |first=Mathew |last=Schwartz |title=Dropbox Accused Of Misleading Customers On Security |url=http://www.informationweek.com/storage/security/dropbox-accused-of-misleading-customers/229500683 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020152158/http://www.informationweek.com/storage/security/dropbox-accused-of-misleading-customers/229500683 |website=InformationWeek |publisher=UBM plc |date=May 16, 2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017}} July 2012 email spam{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Brodkin |title=Dropbox hires "outside experts" to investigate possible e-mail breach |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2012/07/dropbox-hires-outside-experts-to-investigate-possible-e-mail-breach/ |website=Ars Technica |publisher=Condé Nast |date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041752/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/07/dropbox-hires-outside-experts-to-investigate-possible-e-mail-breach/ |url-status=live }} with recurrence in February 2013;{{cite web |first=Adi |last=Robertson |title=Dropbox users claim email addresses leaked to spammers, company blames 2012 security breach |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/28/4041382/dropbox-users-claim-email-addresses-leaked-to-spammers |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=February 28, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112040755/http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/28/4041382/dropbox-users-claim-email-addresses-leaked-to-spammers |url-status=live }} leaked government documents in June 2013 with information that Dropbox was being considered for inclusion in the National Security Agency's PRISM surveillance program;{{cite web |first1=Glenn |last1=Greenwald |first2=Ewen |last2=MacAskill |title=NSA Prism program taps in to user data of Apple, Google and others |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data |website=The Guardian |date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=August 18, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818114650/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Barton |last1=Gellman |first2=Laura |last2=Poitras |title=U.S., British intelligence mining data from nine U.S. Internet companies in broad secret program |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/us-intelligence-mining-data-from-nine-us-internet-companies-in-broad-secret-program/2013/06/06/3a0c0da8-cebf-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2013 |archive-date=June 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623010047/http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/us-intelligence-mining-data-from-nine-us-internet-companies-in-broad-secret-program/2013/06/06/3a0c0da8-cebf-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html |url-status=live }} a July 2014 comment from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden criticizing Dropbox's encryption keys being available to employees;{{cite web |first1=Danny |last1=Yadron |first2=Douglas |last2=MacMillan |title=Snowden Says Drop Dropbox, Use SpiderOak |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/07/17/snowden-says-drop-dropbox-use-spideroak/ |website=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones & Company |date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=August 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830221200/https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/07/17/snowden-says-drop-dropbox-use-spideroak/ |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}} the leak of 68 million account passwords on the Internet in August 2016;{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Mendelsohn |title=Dropbox hackers stole e-mail addresses, hashed passwords from 68M accounts |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/08/dropbox-hackers-stole-email-addresses-hashed-passwords-68m-accounts/ |website=Ars Technica |publisher=Condé Nast |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218143210/https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/08/dropbox-hackers-stole-email-addresses-hashed-passwords-68m-accounts/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Russell |last=Brandom |title=Dropbox's 2012 breach was worse than the company first announced |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/31/12727404/dropbox-breach-passwords-hacked-encrypted |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216092047/https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/31/12727404/dropbox-breach-passwords-hacked-encrypted |url-status=live }} and a January 2017 accidental data restoration incident where years-old supposedly deleted files reappeared in users' accounts.{{cite web |first=Liam |last=Tung |title=Dropbox bug kept users' deleted files on its servers for six years |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-bug-kept-users-deleted-files-on-its-servers-for-six-years/ |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125031914/http://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-bug-kept-users-deleted-files-on-its-servers-for-six-years/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Hackett |title=Dropbox Didn't Actually Delete Your 'Deleted' Files |url=http://fortune.com/2017/01/25/dropbox-bug-delete-files-restore/ |website=Fortune |publisher=Time Inc. |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124181030/https://fortune.com/2017/01/25/dropbox-bug-delete-files-restore/ |url-status=live }}

While Dropbox uses SSL to encrypt data in transit between itself and customers and stores data in encrypted form, it does not use end-to-end encryption in which the user controls the keys used to encrypt the stored data. As a result, Dropbox can decrypt customers' data if it chooses to.{{Cite web|last=Hoffman|first=Chris|title=Why Most Web Services Don't Use End-to-End Encryption|url=https://www.howtogeek.com/166507/why-most-web-services-dont-use-end-to-end-encryption/|access-date=2020-07-18|website=How-To Geek|date=July 2, 2013 |language=en-US|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120195437/https://www.howtogeek.com/166507/why-most-web-services-dont-use-end-to-end-encryption/|url-status=live}}

The Dropbox headquarters, located in San Francisco, were originally on Market Street, until its expansion to the China Basin Landing building in July 2011, allowing for a significant space increase.{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Dropbox Leases Giant New SF Office, Plans To Grow To 400+ Employees |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/07/27/dropbox-leases-giant-new-sf-office-plans-to-grow-to-400-employees/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=July 27, 2011 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221744/https://techcrunch.com/2011/07/27/dropbox-leases-giant-new-sf-office-plans-to-grow-to-400-employees/ |url-status=live }} As the number of employees grew, the company again needed expansion,{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Dropbox Is Spilling Over To A Humongous Second SF Office |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/03/dropbox-office-333-brannan/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127003354/https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/03/dropbox-office-333-brannan/ |url-status=live }} and in February 2014, it signed a lease for two buildings on Brannan Street.{{cite web |first=J.K. |last=Dineen |title=Dropbox bags second building for SoMa campus |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2014/02/dropbox-bags-second-building-for-soma.html |website=San Francisco Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=February 7, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221744/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2014/02/dropbox-bags-second-building-for-soma.html |url-status=live }} Not needing the substantial amounts of space after all, the company started shopping the remaining available space to other companies for sublease in November 2015.{{cite web |first=Cory |last=Weinberg |title=Exclusive: Dropbox looks to shed China Basin HQ space |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2015/11/tech-trouble-dropbox-looks-to-shed-china-basin-hq.html |website=San Francisco Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=November 11, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922091920/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2015/11/tech-trouble-dropbox-looks-to-shed-china-basin-hq.html |url-status=live }}

In December 2012, Dropbox set up an office in Dublin, Ireland,{{cite news |title=Dropbox sets up international headquarters in Dublin |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20578699 |work=BBC News |date=December 3, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221743/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20578699 |url-status=live }} its first office outside the United States.{{cite web |first=Charles |last=Arthur |title=Dropbox chooses Dublin for first office outside US |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/dec/03/dropbox-dublin-office |website=The Guardian |date=December 3, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112014521/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/dec/03/dropbox-dublin-office |url-status=live }}

Dropbox expanded into its second U.S. office in Austin, Texas, in February 2014. The State of Texas and City of Austin provided a $1.7 million performance-based incentives package to Dropbox in exchange for locating their office in Austin.{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Grattan |title=Austin City Council approves incentives for Dropbox, Websense |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2014/02/20/austin-city-council-approves-incentives-for.html |website=San Francisco Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=February 20, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221030526/https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2014/02/20/austin-city-council-approves-incentives-for.html |url-status=live }} In April, of the same year, Dropbox opened an office in Sydney, Australia.{{Cite web |title=Dropbox to open first office in Australia |url=https://www.crn.com.au/news/dropbox-to-open-first-office-in-australia-382875 |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=CRN Australia |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922143236/https://www.crn.com.au/news/dropbox-to-open-first-office-in-australia-382875 |url-status=live }}

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