# Data retention

> Set how long OpenATS keeps candidates after their applications are archived, and what happens when the time is up.

In **Settings → Data & privacy → Data retention**, an admin sets a number of months. Once every one of a candidate’s applications has been archived longer than that, OpenATS anonymizes them. Hired candidates are kept. Leave it blank to keep everyone.

*Privacy & data · Last updated 2026-11-11*

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1. Open **Settings → Data & privacy**.
2. Under **Data retention**, enter the months to keep archived candidates, and save.

- Candidates whose every application has been archived longer than that are anonymized. OpenATS checks every day.
- Hired candidates are never anonymized by the policy.
- Candidates who unticked **Save my profile** when they applied are anonymized as soon as all their applications are archived.
- Nothing is anonymized while an import from another ATS is running, or while a candidate has an access request open.

> **Note:** A retention period applies to imports too: candidates archived in your old ATS longer ago than your policy allows are anonymized as they arrive.

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Still need help? Write to the OpenATS team at https://openats.ai/support (or support@b150.ai). We reply by email.

Source: https://openats.ai/docs/privacy-and-data/data-retention
OpenATS help center: https://openats.ai/docs