Skip to main content

Data Handling & Retention

This page describes how Crew handles data throughout its lifecycle—from collection to deletion. Understanding data handling is essential for compliance and privacy planning.

Data Categories

Customer Data

Data you provide directly:
Data TypeExamplesStorage
Account informationEmail, name, companyEncrypted database
ConfigurationAgent settings, pathwaysEncrypted database
Knowledge baseFAQs, documentsEncrypted database
IntegrationsAPI keys, credentialsEncrypted with HSM

End-User Data

Data from people interacting with your agents:
Data TypeExamplesStorage
Phone numbersCaller IDEncrypted database
NamesIf collectedEncrypted database
Conversation dataTranscriptsEncrypted database
RecordingsCall audioEncrypted object storage
Collected informationAppointments, preferencesEncrypted database

System Data

Data generated by Crew:
Data TypeExamplesStorage
LogsAPI calls, eventsLog management system
AnalyticsCall metrics, usageAnalytics database
Audit trailsAccess logsSecure audit storage

Data Processing

Conversation Processing

Audio Input → Speech-to-Text → AI Processing → Response Generation → Text-to-Speech
     ↓              ↓                ↓                  ↓
  Encrypted    Transcript      Intent/Entities      Response Text
  Transit      (Optional)        (Metadata)         (Temporary)

AI Processing

  • Conversations processed by OpenAI for AI capabilities
  • Audio converted to text for processing
  • No persistent storage in AI systems beyond request/response
  • See OpenAI’s data processing terms for details

Telephony Processing

  • Twilio/RingCentral handle call routing
  • Media streams processed through their infrastructure
  • Subject to their respective security practices
  • Recordings stored in Crew infrastructure (if enabled)

Data Storage

Geographic Location

PlanDefault RegionOptions
StarterUS (Virginia)
ProfessionalUS (Virginia)EU available
EnterpriseUS (Virginia)Custom regions

Storage Architecture

Primary Database (Encrypted)
    ├── Account data
    ├── Configuration
    ├── Call metadata
    └── Transcripts

Object Storage (Encrypted)
    ├── Recordings
    ├── Documents
    └── Exports

Backup Storage (Encrypted)
    └── Point-in-time backups

Encryption Details

LayerMethod
Database fieldsAES-256-GCM
Object storageAES-256-GCM
BackupsAES-256-GCM
Key managementAWS KMS / HSM

Data Retention

Default Retention Periods

Data TypeDefault RetentionConfigurable
Call metadata12 months
Transcripts90 days
Recordings30 days
Analytics24 months
Audit logs12 monthsEnterprise
Account dataUntil deletion

Configuring Retention

Adjust retention in workspace settings:
{
  "retention": {
    "transcripts_days": 90,
    "recordings_days": 30,
    "call_metadata_days": 365,
    "analytics_days": 730
  }
}

Automatic Deletion

  • Data is automatically deleted after retention period
  • Deletion is permanent and irreversible
  • Backups follow separate retention (30 days after deletion)

Data Minimization

Collection Principles

We follow data minimization practices:
  • Collect only what’s needed for the service
  • Purpose limitation — data used only for stated purposes
  • Storage limitation — deleted when no longer needed

Optional Data

Configure what’s collected:
{
  "data_collection": {
    "store_transcripts": true,
    "store_recordings": false,
    "collect_caller_names": true,
    "store_full_audio": false
  }
}

PII Handling

{
  "pii_handling": {
    "redact_from_transcripts": true,
    "redact_patterns": ["ssn", "credit_card"],
    "anonymize_after_days": 30
  }
}

Data Access

Customer Access

You can access your data via:
  • Dashboard — View calls, transcripts, analytics
  • API — Programmatic access to all data
  • Export — Bulk export functionality

Export Formats

curl -X POST https://api.usecrew.ai/v1/exports \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "type": "calls",
    "date_range": {
      "start": "2024-01-01",
      "end": "2024-01-31"
    },
    "format": "json"
  }'
Supported formats: JSON, CSV

Crew Staff Access

  • Access requires business justification
  • All access is logged and audited
  • Access limited to support and operations roles
  • Regular access reviews conducted

Data Deletion

User-Initiated Deletion

Delete specific data:
# Delete a call record
curl -X DELETE https://api.usecrew.ai/v1/calls/{call_id} \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

# Delete caller memory
curl -X DELETE https://api.usecrew.ai/v1/memory?caller_id=+14155551234 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Account Deletion

Request complete account deletion:
  1. Contact support@usecrew.ai
  2. Verify account ownership
  3. Data deleted within 30 days
  4. Confirmation email sent

Right to Erasure (GDPR)

For end-user erasure requests:
curl -X POST https://api.usecrew.ai/v1/data-requests \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "type": "erasure",
    "identifier": "+14155551234",
    "identifier_type": "phone"
  }'

Data Portability

Export all data in standard formats:
curl -X POST https://api.usecrew.ai/v1/exports/full \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "format": "json",
    "include": ["calls", "transcripts", "recordings", "knowledge_base", "configuration"]
  }'
You’ll receive a downloadable archive with all your data.

Third-Party Data Sharing

Service Providers

Data is shared with service providers as necessary:
ProviderPurposeData Shared
TwilioTelephonyPhone numbers, call metadata
OpenAIAI processingConversation text
SupabaseDatabaseAll stored data (encrypted)
VercelApplication hostingApplication data

No Data Selling

We do not sell customer data or end-user data to third parties.

Law Enforcement

We respond to valid legal requests (subpoenas, court orders) following our law enforcement guidelines. Customers are notified unless legally prohibited.

Backup and Recovery

Backup Schedule

TypeFrequencyRetention
Full backupDaily30 days
IncrementalHourly7 days
Transaction logContinuous7 days

Recovery

  • Point-in-time recovery available
  • RTO: 4 hours (Enterprise: 1 hour)
  • RPO: 1 hour

Audit and Compliance

Audit Logs

All data access is logged:
{
  "timestamp": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z",
  "actor": "user@company.com",
  "action": "read",
  "resource": "call_abc123",
  "ip_address": "203.0.113.10"
}
Access logs via API:
curl https://api.usecrew.ai/v1/audit-logs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Compliance Reports

Enterprise customers can request:
  • SOC 2 report
  • Data processing records
  • Security questionnaire responses

Next Steps