09Contracts & legal
What happens to your data after the contract ends?
When Nexthosting deletes game servers, backups and paused data after the contract ends, what happens to domains and how to back everything up first.
In short
When a game server contract ends, Nexthosting may permanently delete the server 48 hours later – with all data, configurations and backups. If the contract ends because of non-payment, deletion is allowed even as soon as the contract ends. No such period applies to other products: with a contract, the product is removed on the day the contract ends; with prepaid, a few days after expiry. So back up everything important beforehand. Invoice data is kept for 10 years for tax reasons.
Game servers: the deadlines
Section titled “Game servers: the deadlines”- beforehandBack up your dataDownload backups, copy files via SFTP
- Contract endUse endsThe server can be suspended from now on.
- + 48 hoursPermanent deletion possibleServer, data, configurations, backups and content
Within the 48 hours you can still have the contract renewed or reactivated (AGB § 8). After that, recovery is no longer possible. The same applies to business customers (AGB B2B § 9).
Overview by product and situation
Section titled “Overview by product and situation”| What | What happens after the end | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Game servers and comparable server-based services | Suspension from contract end, deletion including backups 48 hours later | AGB § 8 |
| End because of non-payment | Deletion including backups at contract end | AGB § 7 |
| Contract (VPS, dedicated, web hosting and others) | the product is removed on the day the contract ends, so back up beforehand | AGB § 10 (you back up your data) |
| Prepaid without renewal | ends with the paid period, is suspended and deleted a few days later, depending on the term | AGB § 8, add-on terms 9h |
| Paused server | stored data is permanently deleted at contract end | add-on terms 9b |
| Own IP address | ends with the contract; a released address goes back to the data centre operator and cannot be assigned again | add-on terms 9f |
| Nexthosting Schutz (protection) | Settings, lists and reports deleted at the latest 60 days after the IP is released or the contract ends | add-on terms 9g |
| Status banner, server page, community list | Publication ends; entries and logos are deleted at contract end | add-on terms 9c, privacy policy |
| FastDL (Garry’s Mod) | Provision ends immediately when the server is deleted, paused or suspended | add-on terms 9i |
| Domain | without an instruction to transfer, it may expire or be released after advance notice | AGB § 11 |
| Webspace and WordPress hosting | Websites, databases and mailboxes belong to the plan and are removed on the day the contract ends – back them up yourself before the end; the backups are gone then too | AGB § 10 |
| Withdrawal | after a valid unwinding, services can be deactivated and data deleted | withdrawal form |
What stays stored?
Section titled “What stays stored?”Even after a contract ends, Nexthosting keeps some data, because the law requires it or it is needed as proof:
| Data | How long |
|---|---|
| Customer account with master data | as long as you are registered – the end of a contract does not delete the account |
| Invoice data | 10 years (German Fiscal Code, German Commercial Code) |
| Cancellations via the form | until the end of the 3rd calendar year after receipt |
| Tickets with “Problem melden” (report a problem) diagnosis | together with the ticket |
| Abuse reports | until completion, then usually 3 years |
If you want your customer account deleted completely, write a ticket. Data with a statutory retention duty is only deleted once the period has passed. More in Data protection and DPA.
Checklist before the contract ends
Section titled “Checklist before the contract ends”You are yourself responsible for backing up your data (AGB § 10). Backup functions only exist to the extent described, and Nexthosting also recommends your own external backup.
- Game server: Create a fresh backup and download it, or copy the whole server to your computer via SFTP. Instructions: Backups and databases and Files, editor and SFTP.
- Databases: Export MySQL databases (for example with phpMyAdmin) – they are not included in every file copy.
- Paused server: Resume it beforehand so that you can back up the data. The stored data is not a backup.
- Websites: Back up files, databases and emails – see Backups and restoring and Moving a website.
- Domains: If you want to keep the domain, get the auth code and transfer it to another provider before the end – see Registering and transferring a domain.
- VPS and dedicated server: Back up data and configurations to your computer or another server. Backups in the customer account are gone with the product.
- Only then cancel – or at least have everything backed up before the end date.
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”Can Nexthosting restore deleted data?
Section titled “Can Nexthosting restore deleted data?”No. After permanent deletion there is no way back. Recovery is only possible if a usable backup exists (add-on terms 18).
I forgot to renew the contract. Is my server gone?
Section titled “I forgot to renew the contract. Is my server gone?”For a game server you have 48 hours after the contract ends to have it renewed or reactivated. Contact us by ticket immediately. For other products there is no such period; there the product may already be removed on the day the contract ends.
Do my own backups stay when I pause?
Section titled “Do my own backups stay when I pause?”Yes. Backups you created yourself are not affected by the pause. But they are deleted too when the contract ends.
Do I need to back up myself during the term as well?
Section titled “Do I need to back up myself during the term as well?”Yes, that makes sense. The backup slots in the plan help with errors on the server, but they do not replace a copy on your own computer.