Dropbox users lose files due to bug

An unknown number of Dropbox users have lost files due to a bug in the cloud storage service’s desktop app. Only those who were using the older versions of the desktop app and tweaked the Selective Sync option would be among those affected.

Dropbox has informed the victims of the problem and says it is a “limited number”. The problem occurred if the desktop app was closed or restarted while the Selective Sync option was being modified. This feature allows users to select specific folders to be synchronized with the computer. Some Dropbox users are said to have lost years of stored work through no fault of their own, Engadget reports.

The company behind the cloud storage service says it has tried to recover the lost files, but it is unclear how successful it was. The bug has since been fixed, and Dropbox says it is doing additional testing to prevent similar issues in the future. Those affected would be allowed to use Dropbox Pro free of charge for a year, which offers, among other things, extra storage space.