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Question

Prevent Adobe acrobat reader from uploading my pdf?

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
October 9, 2017
10 replies
28276 views

Hi

I just found out that Adobe Acrobat Reader has been uploading my pdf into their cloud without my consent?

How can I prevent this for happening?

and

How can I safely remove all the pdf that they have been storing on their cloud?

This is very concerning and I'm sure not many people is aware that this is happening

Thanks

Using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC version 2017 (fully updated)

MacOS High Sierra

E

Eric31629572xb3o

New Participant

I am having the same problem. I just started paying for Adobe a few months ago and just now logged on to change my billing info and found a huge set of my docusments seems to be uploaded to the cloud when I absolutely did NOT choose to uplaod ANY of them. What the hell???

Meenakshi Negi

Community Manager

Hi Eric31629572xb3o,

Thank you for reaching out.

If you are using the Acrobat desktop application, it is impossible to automatically upload files to Acrobat Online storage. It needs to be done manually or when you use the Acrobat online service.

Could you please share the screenshot of the Adobe account window where the files are stored? It will help us to provide you with the correct information.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

P

powerful_leader7783

New Participant

This is not true at all, I just joined the forum (also against my will by the way, it just created a profile for me with a username) - and I have had the same problem. Even after deleting the files they were still there. I notice there are Community Experts and Employees trying to justify data theft and breaches of data protection legislation.

Please stop gaslighting your users as what you are doing is very serious and breaches several laws. You will be hearing more about this from regulators. The data is certainly being accessed by persons with bad intent and any attempts to gaslight users about their fundamental rights will be seen as accomplice behaviour. Adobe used to be software and is now moving to software as a service. As you can see no one wants this and you are forcing people against their will. You should notify your directors that individuals are complaining as they are accountable under data protection laws. Criminal matters in relation to data theft and coercion will also be investigated by authorities. Regards.

R

Richard35559777h1ny

New Participant

I have found a solution. Go to outlook and create a blank new message. Once you do that you'll see an Adobe box that says "attach file via link" click the dropdown and it will say attach file via link or settings. Click settings. If you uncheck the automatically send attachments box and click the box that says always prompt while attaching it disables Adobe from saving to the cloud. Also unchecked the two boxes just below under prompt while viewing emails. Then click OK. It will still ask you before you send it in the upper right corner if you want to (terribly annoying) but at least you don't have to upload to cloud before sending. Hope this helps!

A

Anonymous

Who in God's name gave Adobe the right to upload MY FILES to THEIR WEBSITE? And WITHOUT MY PERMISSION?

Bernd Alheit

Community Expert

You uploads the files when you use the online services.

I

Ironman Rob

New Participant

Under preferences, go to Security (enhanced) and uncheck the box labeled 'Enable Enhanced Security'.
This worked for me on Adobe Acrobat Pro with the same issue. Hope it helps.
Other commenters are right in that it shouldn't be buried so deeply - just a simple "Use Adobe Cloud" button on the main page to check or uncheck would be much more useful. Seems like they're defaulting you to using their cloud services which would eventually get full and then you would have to pay for more storage. Underhanded business practice.

Blippo

Inspiring

Hello,

I got an notification in Acrobat DC, I now understand this is called an "IPM". It said it improved some UI things for me and I could deny that. I did not deny immediately and that was a mistake. Because now my usual "Attach this local File to an Email-Button" is now a "Make this file a shared file on the adobe cloud"-Function. I don't want this. I want to have local files and I want to send it via Mail-Client as before. I don't want to push data on Adobe Servers and I don't want to pay the bill for that cloud space, I've never asked for. There are a lot of different workflows and while I'm open for suggestions, I don't like to be shoehorned into this one. This sudden IPM-Change is not a useful way to learn about a new feature.

The Problem is, I can't figure out how to get back to the original state, because there is no switch. Tell me: Where can I get my beloved "Attach this local File to an Email"-Button back. Please help.

Mac 10.15 Catalina

Blippo

Inspiring

...and I found it: I rightclicked on the toolbar and "reset the toolbar".

The mailbutton is back, baby!

Again and for everyone who reads that: Please feel free to suggest changes of UI or workflow, but stop switching things around.

S

Swiped

Participating Frequently

Hello, I am very VERY unhappy with what has happened with my files. Many that were accessible are now swiped into Adobe and they will not let me get them back into word unless I pay - for my own files!

How can I undo this "update"?

Your Adobe DC has taken over even files I made last year. It is horrible. I do see how I can stop it for future, but how to get the past ones back? I have already trashed many documents which I will have to spend time re entering now.

I have read your forums, and the idea of this Wizard and it is exhaustingly tiresome to consider.

I feel cheated, as I was completely NOT informed this would or could happen.

This might have worked:

Resolution

Open Adobe reader DC.
Go to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced).
Uncheck Enable protected mode at startup and press ok.
Re-open the document from connected desktop and you will be able to save without getting the save as dialogue box.

Those were offerings and I could access them.

But THIS: People also ask

try67

Community Expert

I think your situation is completely different from the above. It's a simple issue of file type association. And no, Adobe does not "hijack" your files in exchange for payment. That's what ransom-ware does.

Anyway, is what's happening that you double-click a Word file and it tries to open it in Reader (and then fails)?

If so, assuming you're on a Windows machine simply, right-click the file, select Open With, then Choose Default Program, then select the application you want to use (presumably Microsoft Word), tick the box to always open this file type with the selected application, and you're done!

S

Swiped

Participating Frequently

Not on windows. Thanks for interest. On Mac.
--
Lisa

skellymd

New Participant

I have been extraordinarily disappointed in the fact that Adobe software engineers have done everything possible to prevent people from keeping their Adobe files only on their local machine.

Every link I have tried has sent me in circles, wrong addresses, etc. Why in the world should you have to download another "Software Wizard" in order to do this? I have spent over 45 minutes trying to solve this problem, and have gotten nowhere. If you'd like to see your product in action, learn something, you should have a "regular person" sit down at a computer, and try to solve this problem themselves - watch them struggle endlessly trying to fix the issue.

I have been writing software code in C+ for the past several years. I am an educated user. It is unthinkable that your software GUI does not provide a simple button witch says the following:

"Prevent ALL files from being Uploaded to Cloud" Yes, on the TOP BAR, where everyone can see it.

Do you not understand that many State Revenue Departments in the United States use the adobe format to create, store, and produce documents? Many employers producing tax payment instruments (in Adobe Format) may inadvertently be having their employee tax records sent to your cloud for storage, without their knowledge or consent. These records use each employee's Social Security number for tax payment identification. And guess what, can you Prove your cloud storage has never been hacked? All of these problems could be avoided if you would simply place a GUI button as I have listed above IN THE ORIGINAL SOFTWARE. It's interesting what you can hide in a little abbreviation "DC" at the end of a name. You should rename your software "Adobe Acrobat Reader DOCUMENT CLOUD" which is what it does, by default.

Or how about this ONE LINE software code, which provides a message box with the following text: "Thanks for sending these Adobe files to our cloud server storage!" Is that too much work effort for your software writing crew? That would really get everyone's attention, but of course you would never want to do that.

There may be millions of Americans whose tax records are inadvertently residing ON YOUR SERVERS. I am concerned that you're setting yourself up for one of the grandest class-action litigation's ever. What is the actual percent of human resource employees, responsible for doing paychecks, that actually knew this was happening? These forums inadvertently are providing wonderful documentation for class-action law firms. They are showing how difficult you make it for the average person to make a small change. Be responsible, rewrite your graphic interface and allow users to make the change quickly and efficiently.

S

Swiped

Participating Frequently

I have these same problems and an HORRIFIED that Adobe just swiped my files, and will not let me put them BACK in Word, where they were until I allowed an update, unless I PAY for the service which I did not ask for, and do not want.

HELP! I want my files back.

HELP! I have already had to trash some documents, which I can scan again (some 47 pages, some less) but have already lost a lot of time, and will have to spend MORE time fixing it.

How can I get the files now kept in Adobe back into Word?

How can I stop Adobe from swiping whatever I upload/scan/save?

AnandSri

Community Manager

Hello Marcos,

Sorry for the delay in responding to your query. The Acrobat or Reader will not automatically upload your PDF files unless you choose to save them on Adobe Document Cloud by saving them on Document Cloud or clicking on the Upload icon available in Reader.

If you still want to disable the option, then you have to create a plist, I have sent you a private message to create the plist, please check your email inbox.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

P

Pu Koh

Known Participant

LIES.

I just went to open an .ai file in acrobat, and it proceeded to upload the AI file. Even tho it was saved with PDF compatibility, so already had all the information needed to display it.

WHY IS THIS EVEN A THING.

X

x227676274637643

Participating Frequently

I'm having the same issue, Adobe are a disgrace.

AnandSri

Community Manager

Hi Marcosa,

To prevent Acrobat Reader to upload PDF on Document Cloud, you can refer to the links which are shared above, and the steps are similar in Mac machine for the Adobe Customization wizard.

There is no such option available during the installation to prevent Adobe Reader to upload PDF files.

If you want the feature, you can use the below link to request the feature: Feature Request/Bug Report Form Link: http://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html

For Mac OS, you can download the Adobe Customization wizard from ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/acrobat/mac/AcrobatDC/misc/

Regards,

Anand Sri.

O

olivial72375178

New Participant

I have encountered the same issue with my upgrade to Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020. I view the implementation of the document cloud on my computer without my consent as comparable to taking my car for a drive without my permission or walking into my home without my permission. It is such a profound invasion of my privacy. I hate to admit this but I believe Adobe and other Tech giants' willingness to violate my constitutional rights needs a class act lawsuit and need federal laws to make such impositions illegal.

Further, I don't appreciate my time being wasted dealing with this type of Peeping Tom programming. It should also be a violation of HIPAA because about 60% of my PDFs are related to Personal Health Care Information. It is so hypocritical to require commenters be "kind and respectful" when Adobe's implementation of the document cloud feature against users will is anything but kind and respectful.

Adobe, please send out a simple, plain language update to make it easy to not be part of your enforced Big Brother-like inclinations.

Sincerely,

NP Dr. Olivia Young, PhD

Meenakshi Negi

Community Manager

I am frustrated to my limits with this control of Adobe on MY DOCUMENTS! Should I not be the decoder where my documents recide? How can I disable this pl?

Just a few months back I didn't have this issue; I could save the document in my device - mobile or computer!

Hi Sesh28,

Thank you for reaching out.

As you have mentioned above, "I could save the document in my device - mobile or computer!". Please let us know what has changed for you. What options do you get when trying to save the files? It would be helpful if you could share more information and the screenshots for a better understanding.

Also, confirm if the issue occurs on the desktop application or the web application.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

AnandSri

Community Manager

Hi Marcosa,

As per the description above, you want to disable the online services/features in Adobe Reader DC to prevent saving the documents on Cloud, Is that correct?

You can visit Acrobat.com https://cloud.acrobat.com/ to manage all your files in the cloud. You can delete, move, and upload files directly to the Acrobat website.

You can also use the Adobe Customization Wizard DC on both Reader DC (Classic or Perpetual) versions.

Adobe Customization Wizard

You can also use the Windows Registry to turn these services OFF. Services integratio

Link: http://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/PrefRef/Windows/Workflows.html?zoom_highlight=Web+Services

Hope this helps, and keep us posted with the results.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

marcosa92256533Author

New Participant

Dear AnandSri,

Thanks for your answer but is not very clear.

My question is very simple, how can I prevent Adobe Acrobat Reader DC from uploading the PDF I see using your software?

There should be a quesiton during install that will ask me permission to take control of my files or an option on settings to prevent this from happening.

Im on a MAC computer, I tried using the Adobe customization wizard but I couldn't understand how it will help me deactivate this funtion.

Please your urgent support as this is extremely concerning. Please understand that your software is amaking a copy of everything I see on my pc without my permission.

Thanks

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