Dropbox: Difference between revisions

| operating system = [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Windows Phone]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dropbox system requirements|url=https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/system-requirements|access-date=2021-08-18|website=help.dropbox.com|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818085141/https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/system-requirements|url-status=live}}</ref>

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'''Dropbox''' is a [[file hosting service]] operated by the American company '''Dropbox, Inc.''', headquartered in [[San Francisco]], California, U.S. that offers [[cloud storage]], [[file synchronization]], [[personal cloud]], and [[Client (computing)|client]] software. Dropbox was founded in 2007 by [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]] students [[Drew Houston]] and [[Arash Ferdowsi]] as a [[startup company]], with initial funding from [[Startup accelerator|seed accelerator]] [[Y Combinator]].<ref name=ycombinator>{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=2018-03-23 |title=Start-up factory Y Combinator notched its first IPO with Dropbox, and others are on the horizon |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/23/y-combinator-notched-its-first-ipo-with-dropbox.html |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408034850/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/23/y-combinator-notched-its-first-ipo-with-dropbox.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Houston founded Evenflow, Inc. in May 2007<ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |last3= |first3= |last4= |last5= |last6= |last7= |last8= |first8= |last9= |date=2012-01-15 |title=Dropbox inventor determined to build the next Apple or Google |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-jan-15-la-fi-dropbox-20120115-story.html |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=March 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331172056/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-jan-15-la-fi-dropbox-20120115-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as the company behind Dropbox, and shortly thereafter secured seed funding from [[Y Combinator (company)|Y Combinator]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shontell |first=Alyson |title=This Is Drew Houston's 2007 Y Combinator Application For A Company That's Now Worth $4 Billion, Dropbox |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-y-combinator-application-from-2007-by-drew-houston-2013-9 |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510045330/https://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-y-combinator-application-from-2007-by-drew-houston-2013-9 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dropbox was officially launched at 2008's [[TechCrunch]] Disrupt, an annual technology conference.<ref name="Domain">{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Dropbox Acquires The Domain Everyone Thought It Had: Dropbox.com |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/10/13/dropbox-acquires-the-domain-everyone-thought-it-had-dropbox-com/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=October 13, 2009 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710174654/http://techcrunch.com/2009/10/13/dropbox-acquires-the-domain-everyone-thought-it-had-dropbox-com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Owing to trademark disputes between Proxy, Inc. and Evenflow, Dropbox's official [[domain name]] was "''get''dropbox.com" until October 2009, when it acquired its current domain, "dropbox.com".<ref name="Domain"/> In October 2009, Evenflow, Inc. was renamed Dropbox, Inc.<ref name="dropbox-ipo">{{Cite web |date=2018-02-23 |title=Form S-1 Registration Statement -– Dropbox, Inc. |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1467623/000119312518055809/d451946ds1.htm |access-date=2018-10-22 |website=www.sec.gov |quote="We were incorporated in May 2007 as Evenflow, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and changed our name to Dropbox, Inc. in October 2009." |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128101033/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1467623/000119312518055809/d451946ds1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Covid-19 pandemic]] in 2020, Dropbox was one of the first companies to shift to a [[Remote work|remote workforce]]. In October 2020, the company announced its "virtual first" initiative which would shift the company to a long-term remote working plan, which launched officially April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Barbara |title=Dropbox helped end the physical thumb drive era, but the cloud is getting crowded |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/17/dropbox-helped-end-thumb-drive-era-but-the-cloud-is-getting-crowded.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=CNBC |date=November 17, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124193214/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/17/dropbox-helped-end-thumb-drive-era-but-the-cloud-is-getting-crowded.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Dropbox Tossed Out the Workplace Rulebook |url=https://time.com/6204715/dropbox-remote-work/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124193216/https://time.com/6204715/dropbox-remote-work/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2023, Dropbox CEO Houston announced the layoff of roughly 500 employees, or 16 percent of the current workforce. The company cited a slowdown in growth and a need for different, AI-focused skill-sets.<ref>{{Cite webnews |last=Bary |first=Emily |title=Dropbox to cut 16% of staff, citing slowing growth and a need for AI-focused talent |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dropbox-to-cut-16-of-staff-citing-slowing-growth-and-a-need-for-ai-focused-talent-793a9eec |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=MarketWatch |language=EN-US |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427135955/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/dropbox-to-cut-16-of-staff-citing-slowing-growth-and-a-need-for-ai-focused-talent-793a9eec |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dropbox has computer apps for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] [[macOS]], and [[Linux]] computers,<ref>{{cite web |title=What is the Dropbox desktop application? |url=https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/65 |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107003729/https://www.dropbox.com/en/help/65 |url-status=live }}</ref> and mobile apps for [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and [[Windows Phone]] smartphones and tablets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dropbox mobile apps |url=https://www.dropbox.com/mobile |publisher=Dropbox |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001160227/https://www.dropbox.com/mobile |url-status=live }}</ref> It also offers a [[Web application|website interface]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Chance |last=Miller |title=Dropbox rolling out all-new user interface on the web |url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/04/04/dropbox-rolling-out-all-new-user-interface-on-the-web/ |website=9to5Mac |date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=April 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725230207/https://9to5mac.com/2017/04/04/dropbox-rolling-out-all-new-user-interface-on-the-web/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of its partnership with [[Microsoft]], Dropbox announced a [[Universal Windows Platform|universal Windows 10 app]] in January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Hachman |title=Windows 10 needed universal apps, and Dropbox made one, complete with Windows Hello |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3025504/windows/windows-10-needed-universal-apps-and-dropbox-made-one-complete-with-windows-hello.html |website=[[PC World]] |publisher=[[International Data Group]] |date=January 21, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |archive-date=April 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411054554/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3025504/windows/windows-10-needed-universal-apps-and-dropbox-made-one-complete-with-windows-hello.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Mary Jo |last=Foley |title=Dropbox rolling out its new Universal Windows 10 app |url=httphttps://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-rolling-out-its-new-universal-windows-10-app/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=January 21, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029062205/https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-rolling-out-its-new-universal-windows-10-app/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dropbox received initial funding from [[seed accelerator]] [[Y Combinator (company)|Y Combinator]].{{citation<ref needed|datename=Juneycombinator 2021}}/> Dropbox also raised US$1.2 million in Series A funding from [[Sequoia Capital]] in 2007, that "along with interest (on that amount) converted to equity as part of the Series A investment, which included a fresh slug of US$6 million", bringing the total amount to US$7.25 million, with the round closed in 2008 and documents filed in 2009.<ref name="Funding and users">{{cite web |first=Liz |last=Gannes |title=Dropbox Raises $7.25M, Crosses 3M Users |url=https://gigaom.com/2009/11/24/dropbox-raises-7-25m-crosses-3m-users/ |website=[[Gigaom]] |publisher=Knowingly Corp. |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221913/https://gigaom.com/2009/11/24/dropbox-raises-7-25m-crosses-3m-users/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In July 2016, Dropbox announced a new "AdminX" administrator dashboard for Business customers, offering improved control of company files and users.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ingrid |last=Lunden |title=Dropbox steps up to business users with AdminX, plans device management |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/27/dropbox-adminx-mdm/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101953/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_ad72b96b-a85a-4734-9c32-fd857a179f4b |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Heather |last=Clancy |title=Dropbox Is Flaunting These Improved Security and Collaboration Features |url=http://fortune.com/2016/07/27/dropbox-security-collaboration/ |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |date=July 27, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804055708/https://fortune.com/2016/07/27/dropbox-security-collaboration/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2017, the AdminX dashboard was given a redesign and additional administrator functions, such as log-in durations, custom password strength parameters, and setting specific subdomain verifications for individual teams.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ryan |last=Lawler |title=Dropbox updates its admin panel for Business users |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/13/dropbox-business-admin-updates/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=March 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309234456/https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/13/dropbox-business-admin-updates/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Natalie |last=Gagliordi |title=Dropbox rolls out new admin controls for team management |url=httphttps://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-rolls-out-new-admin-controls-for-team-management/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814032459/https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-rolls-out-new-admin-controls-for-team-management/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Originally, the Dropbox servers and computer apps were written in [[Python (programming language)|Python]].<ref name="a">{{cite web |title=6 Lessons From Dropbox -– One Million Files Saved Every 15 Minutes |url=http://highscalability.com/blog/2011/3/14/6-lessons-from-dropbox-one-million-files-saved-every-15-minu.html |website=High Scalability Blog |date=March 14, 2011 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722142438/http://highscalability.com/blog/2011/3/14/6-lessons-from-dropbox-one-million-files-saved-every-15-minu.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2014, Dropbox began migrating its performance-critical backend infrastructure to [[Go (programming language)|Go]].<ref name="b">{{cite web |author=Patrick Lee |title=Open Sourcing Our Go Libraries |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/tech/2014/07/open-sourcing-our-go-libraries/ |publisher=Dropbox |date=July 1, 2014 |access-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108201036/https://dropbox.tech/infrastructure/open-sourcing-our-go-libraries |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dropbox originally used [[Amazon.com|Amazon]]'s [[Amazon S3|S3]] storage system to store user files, but between 2014 and 2016 they gradually moved away from Amazon to use their own hardware, referred to as "Magic Pocket", due to Dropbox's description as "a place where you keep all your stuff, it doesn't get lost, and you can always access it".<ref>{{cite web |first=Cade |last=Metz |title=The epic story of Dropbox's exodus from the Amazon cloud empire |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/03/epic-story-dropboxs-exodus-amazon-cloud-empire |website=[[Wired (website)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=March 14, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110005805/https://www.wired.com/2016/03/epic-story-dropboxs-exodus-amazon-cloud-empire/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2017, the company announced a major global network expansion, aiming to increase synchronization speeds while cutting costs. The expansion, starting with 14 cities across 7 countries on 3 continents, adds "hundreds of gigabits of Internet connectivity with transit providers (regional and global ISPs), and hundreds of new peering partners (where we exchange traffic directly rather than through an ISP)".<ref>{{cite web |first=Ron |last=Miller |title=Dropbox announces massive network expansion |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/19/dropbox-announces-massive-network-expansion/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034040/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_7d9ef79d-153c-43f1-b530-9e33be3685a0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Barb |last=Darrow |title=Exclusive: Dropbox Is Rolling Out a Private Network to Speed Up File Access |url=http://fortune.com/2017/06/19/dropbox-private-network/ |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111221854/https://fortune.com/2017/06/19/dropbox-private-network/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Natalie |last=Gagliordi |title=Dropbox announces network expansion to boost file access speeds |url=httphttps://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-announces-network-expansion-to-boost-file-access-speeds/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221859/https://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-announces-network-expansion-to-boost-file-access-speeds/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2014, Dropbox introduced [[Dropbox Carousel|Carousel]], a photo and video gallery that "combines the photos in your Dropbox with the photos on your phone, and automatically backs up new ones as you take them." Carousel sorted photos by event and date.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ramesh |last=Balakrishnan |title=Introducing Carousel: A new gallery from Dropbox |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2014/04/introducing-carousel/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=May 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505194900/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2014/04/introducing-carousel/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Ong |title=Dropbox announces Carousel, a cross-device photo and video gallery |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2014/04/09/dropbox-announces-carousel-cross-device-photo-video-gallery/ |website=The Next Web |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129143429/https://thenextweb.com/insider/2014/04/09/dropbox-announces-carousel-cross-device-photo-video-gallery/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Dropbox unveils Carousel for organizing your photos and videos |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/5594288/dropbox-unveils-carousel-for-organizing-your-photos-and-videos-online |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713193535/https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/9/5594288/dropbox-unveils-carousel-for-organizing-your-photos-and-videos-online |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2015, Dropbox announced the shut-down of Carousel. In a blog post, Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi explained that "We'll be taking key features from Carousel back to the place where your photos live -– in the Dropbox app."<ref name="Shutdown 1"/><ref name="Shutdown 2"/><ref name="Shutdown 3"/>

In April 2015, Dropbox launched a Dropbox Notes collaborative note-taking service in [[Beta test|beta testing phase]], prompting speculation if Dropbox was planning to bring out a product to compete with [[Google Docs, Sheets and Slides|Google Docs]]. ''[[TechCrunch]]'' noted that Dropbox Notes appeared to be a new version of "Project Composer", a previous iteration of the service with roots from the acquisition of Hackpad in April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Perez |title=Dropbox's Collaborative Note-Taking Service, Dropbox Notes, Heads Into Beta Testing |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/23/dropboxs-collaborative-note-taking-service-dropbox-notes-heads-into-beta-testing/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=April 23, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108102014/http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/23/dropboxs-collaborative-note-taking-service-dropbox-notes-heads-into-beta-testing/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Nathan |last=Ingraham |title=Dropbox is getting ready to launch a collaborative notes service |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/23/8486097/dropbox-notes-collaboration-service-beta |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 23, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130221310/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/23/8486097/dropbox-notes-collaboration-service-beta |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Chuong |last=Nguyen |title=Dropbox Notes poised to challenge Google Docs at launch |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/dropbox-notes-poised-to-challenge-google-docs-at-launch-1292112 |website=[[TechRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=April 24, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202235922/https://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/dropbox-notes-poised-to-challenge-google-docs-at-launch-1292112 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2015, Dropbox announced the upcoming launch of [[Dropbox Paper]], its collaborative document editor, noted by the media as the result of its development of a Dropbox Notes service earlier in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nathan |last=Ingraham |title=Paper is Dropbox's new vision for how teams can work together |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/10/15/dropbox-paper-team-collaboration-tools/ |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130730/https://www.engadget.com/2015-10-15-dropbox-paper-team-collaboration-tools.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |first=Casey |last=Newton |title=Dropbox announces Paper, its take on collaborative document editing |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/10/15/9541017/dropbox-announces-paper-its-take-on-collaborative-document-editing |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101440/http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/15/9541017/dropbox-announces-paper-its-take-on-collaborative-document-editing |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Romain |last=Dillet |title=Dropbox Announces Paper, A Google Docs Competitor |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/15/dropbox-announces-paper-a-google-docs-competitor/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125060505/https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/15/dropbox-announces-paper-a-google-docs-competitor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Dropbox Paper entered open [[Beta test|beta]] in August 2016, allowing anyone to join and test the product. Mobile apps for Android and iOS were also released.<ref>{{cite web |first=Christina |last=Cacioppo |title=Get started with Dropbox Paper -– now in open beta |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2016/08/paper-public-beta-and-mobile-apps/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416223959/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2016/08/paper-public-beta-and-mobile-apps/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Katherine |last=Noyes |title=Dropbox Paper, now in open beta, lets teams collaborate in the cloud |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3104057/data-center-cloud/dropbox-paper-is-now-available-to-all-as-an-open-beta.html |website=[[PC World]] |publisher=[[International Data Group]] |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812153619/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3104057/dropbox-paper-is-now-available-to-all-as-an-open-beta.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jordan |last=Novet |title=Dropbox launches Paper note-taking app in open beta, releases Android and iOS apps |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/08/03/dropbox-paper-android-ios/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108134036/http://venturebeat.com/2016/08/03/dropbox-paper-android-ios/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2017, Dropbox Paper was officially launched. Aimed for businesses, Dropbox Paper was described as "one part online document, one part collaboration, one part task management tool, one part content hub" by Rob Baesman, Dropbox's head of product, and allows for importing, editing, and collaboration on "a number of other file types from Google, Microsoft, and others".<ref>{{cite web |first=Nick |last=Statt |title=Dropbox finally brings its Google Docs competitor out of beta |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/1/30/14435582/dropbox-paper-business-app-launch-date-ios-android-web |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041758/http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/30/14435582/dropbox-paper-business-app-launch-date-ios-android-web |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Todd |last=Jackson |title=Transforming how teams collaborate |url=https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2017/01/transforming-how-teams-collaborate/ |website=Dropbox Blog |publisher=Dropbox |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029123455/https://blogs.dropbox.com/dropbox/2017/01/transforming-how-teams-collaborate/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Matthew |last=Lynley |title=Dropbox's note-taking app Paper launches globally in 21 languages |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/30/dropboxs-note-taking-app-paper-launches-globally-in-21-languages/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123204808/https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/30/dropboxs-note-taking-app-paper-launches-globally-in-21-languages/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dropbox has received several awards, including the Crunchie Award in 2010 for Best Internet Application,<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Congratulations Crunchies Winners! Facebook Takes Best Overall For The Hat Trick |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/01/08/crunchies-winner/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=January 8, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323070723/https://techcrunch.com/2010/01/08/crunchies-winner/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Macworld]]''{{'}}s 2009 Editor's Choice Award for Software.<ref>{{cite web |title=Macworld Editors' Choice Awards: Software |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/1144840/editorschoice2009software.html#slide3 |website=[[Macworld]] |publisher=[[International Data Group]] |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031100225/https://www.macworld.com/article/1144840/editorschoice2009software.html#slide3 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was nominated for a 2010 [[Webby Award]],<ref>{{cite web |title=2010 Nominee: Dropbox |url=http://webbyawards.com/winners/2010/web/general-website-categories/web-services-applications/dropbox/ |website=[[Webby Award]] |publisher=[[International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203001645/https://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2010/web/general-website-categories/web-services-applications/dropbox/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and for the 2010 Mac Design Awards by ''[[Ars Technica]].''<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Foreman |title=Reader's Choice poll for 2010 Ars Design Awards: Mac OS X |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/2010/05/readers-choice-poll-for-2010-ars-design-awardsmac-os-x/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=May 25, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108091853/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2010/05/readers-choice-poll-for-2010-ars-design-awardsmac-os-x/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Dropbox's mobile [[iPhone]] app release in 2010 was among the top 10 "best apps" selected by Alex Ahlund, former [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of two websites focused on mobile apps,<ref>{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Ahlund |title=The Top 40 iPhone Apps of 2010 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/12/26/top-40-iphone-apps-2010/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=December 26, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109001334/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=3_cc-session_b900bc34-a735-40c8-a927-de3f76dae035 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the company's [[Android (operating system)|Android]] app was also selected as one of the top five "best apps" in a list compiled in 2010 by Jason Hiner for ''[[ZDNet]]''.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Hiner |title=Top 25 Android apps: The best of the best |url=httphttps://www.zdnet.com/article/top-25-android-apps-the-best-of-the-best/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=July 29, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828185124/https://www.zdnet.com/article/top-25-android-apps-the-best-of-the-best/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Founders Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi were named among the top 30 under 30 entrepreneurs by ''[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2011 Honorees |url=http://www.inc.com/30under30/2011/honorees.html |website=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]] |publisher=Mansueto Ventures |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109000137/https://www.inc.com/30under30/2011/honorees.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2011, ''[[Business Insider]]'' named Dropbox the world's sixth most valuable startup,<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 Most Valuable Startups In The World, Revamped And Revised! |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/2011-digital-100 |website=[[Business Insider]] |publisher=[[Axel Springer SE]] |date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112033214/https://www.businessinsider.com/2011-digital-100?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 2017, the publication ranked Dropbox as the eighth most valuable US startup, with a valuation of $10 billion.<ref>{{cite web |first=Avery |last=Hartmans |title=THE $10 BILLION CLUB: Meet the 8 most valuable startups in the US |url=http://nordic.businessinsider.com/most-valuable-us-startups-2016-12 |website=[[Business Insider]] |publisher=[[Axel Springer SE]] |date=January 2, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202233210/https://nordic.businessinsider.com/most-valuable-us-startups-2016-12 |url-status=live }}</ref> It has been described as one of Y Combinator's most successful investments to date.<ref>{{cite web |first=Erick |last=Schonfeld |title=Who Is In The New Billion Dollar Valuation Club? |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/17/billion-dollar-valuatio-club/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=June 17, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117014325/https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/17/billion-dollar-valuatio-club/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] launched its own [[cloud storage service]] later in 2011, [[iCloud]], but this didn'tdid not hold back Dropbox's growth.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44766487/ “How two strangers set up Dropbox and made billions”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114155550/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44766487 |date=January 14, 2021 }} (July 16, 2018)</ref> In January 2012, Dropbox was named startup of the year by ''[[TechCrunch]]'',<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Congratulations Crunchies Winners! Dropbox Is The Best Overall Startup |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/01/31/crunchies-dropbox/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=January 31, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124165322/https://techcrunch.com/2012/01/31/crunchies-dropbox/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 2016, the company was ranked #2 on the [[Forbes|Forbes Cloud 100]] list.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forbes Cloud 100 |url=https://www.forbes.com/cloud100/ |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910154736/http://www.forbes.com/cloud100/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dropbox has been the subject of criticism and controversy related to multiple incidents, including a June 2011 authentication problem that let accounts be accessed for several hours without passwords;<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Dropbox Security Bug Made Passwords Optional For Four Hours |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/20/dropbox-security-bug-made-passwords-optional-for-four-hours/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=June 20, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030040731/https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/20/dropbox-security-bug-made-passwords-optional-for-four-hours/ |url-status=live }}</ref> a July 2011 Privacy Policy update with language suggesting Dropbox had ownership of users' data;<ref>{{cite web |first=Christopher |last=White |title=Dropbox can legally sell all of your files [Update] |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/dropbox-legally-owns-all-of-your-files |website=[[Neowin]] |date=July 2, 2011 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024136/http://www.neowin.net/news/dropbox-legally-owns-all-of-your-files |url-status=live }}</ref> concerns about Dropbox employee access to users' information;<ref>{{cite web |first=Mathew |last=Schwartz |title=Dropbox Accused Of Misleading Customers On Security |url=http://www.informationweek.com/storage/security/dropbox-accused-of-misleading-customers/229500683 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020152158/http://www.informationweek.com/storage/security/dropbox-accused-of-misleading-customers/229500683 |website=[[InformationWeek]] |publisher=[[UBM plc]] |date=May 16, 2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017}}</ref> July 2012 email spam<ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Brodkin |title=Dropbox hires "outside experts" to investigate possible e-mail breach |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2012/07/dropbox-hires-outside-experts-to-investigate-possible-e-mail-breach/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041752/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/07/dropbox-hires-outside-experts-to-investigate-possible-e-mail-breach/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with recurrence in February 2013;<ref>{{cite web |first=Adi |last=Robertson |title=Dropbox users claim email addresses leaked to spammers, company blames 2012 security breach |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/28/4041382/dropbox-users-claim-email-addresses-leaked-to-spammers |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=February 28, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112040755/http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/28/4041382/dropbox-users-claim-email-addresses-leaked-to-spammers |url-status=live }}</ref> leaked government documents in June 2013 with information that Dropbox was being considered for inclusion in the [[National Security Agency]]'s [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM surveillance program]];<ref>{{cite web |first1=Glenn |last1=Greenwald |first2=Ewen |last2=MacAskill |title=NSA Prism program taps in to user data of Apple, Google and others |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=August 18, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818114650/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Barton |last1=Gellman |first2=Laura |last2=Poitras |title=U.S., British intelligence mining data from nine U.S. Internet companies in broad secret program |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/us-intelligence-mining-data-from-nine-us-internet-companies-in-broad-secret-program/2013/06/06/3a0c0da8-cebf-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2013 |archive-date=June 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623010047/http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/us-intelligence-mining-data-from-nine-us-internet-companies-in-broad-secret-program/2013/06/06/3a0c0da8-cebf-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a July 2014 comment from NSA [[whistleblower]] [[Edward Snowden]] criticizing Dropbox's encryption keys being available to employees;<ref>{{cite web |first1=Danny |last1=Yadron |first2=Douglas |last2=MacMillan |title=Snowden Says Drop Dropbox, Use SpiderOak |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/07/17/snowden-says-drop-dropbox-use-spideroak/ |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]] |date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=August 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830221200/https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/07/17/snowden-says-drop-dropbox-use-spideroak/ |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}</ref> the leak of 68&nbsp;million account passwords on the Internet in August 2016;<ref>{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Mendelsohn |title=Dropbox hackers stole e-mail addresses, hashed passwords from 68M accounts |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/08/dropbox-hackers-stole-email-addresses-hashed-passwords-68m-accounts/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218143210/https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/08/dropbox-hackers-stole-email-addresses-hashed-passwords-68m-accounts/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Russell |last=Brandom |title=Dropbox's 2012 breach was worse than the company first announced |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/31/12727404/dropbox-breach-passwords-hacked-encrypted |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216092047/https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/31/12727404/dropbox-breach-passwords-hacked-encrypted |url-status=live }}</ref> and a January 2017 accidental data restoration incident where years-old supposedly deleted files reappeared in users' accounts.<ref>{{cite web |first=Liam |last=Tung |title=Dropbox bug kept users' deleted files on its servers for six years |url=httphttps://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-bug-kept-users-deleted-files-on-its-servers-for-six-years/ |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125031914/http://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-bug-kept-users-deleted-files-on-its-servers-for-six-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Hackett |title=Dropbox Didn't Actually Delete Your 'Deleted' Files |url=http://fortune.com/2017/01/25/dropbox-bug-delete-files-restore/ |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124181030/https://fortune.com/2017/01/25/dropbox-bug-delete-files-restore/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Dropbox headquarters, located in [[San Francisco]], were originally on Market Street, until its expansion to the [[China Basin Landing]] building in July 2011, allowing for a significant space increase.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Kincaid |title=Dropbox Leases Giant New SF Office, Plans To Grow To 400+ Employees |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/07/27/dropbox-leases-giant-new-sf-office-plans-to-grow-to-400-employees/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=July 27, 2011 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221744/https://techcrunch.com/2011/07/27/dropbox-leases-giant-new-sf-office-plans-to-grow-to-400-employees/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As the number of employees grew, the company again needed expansion,<ref>{{cite web |first=Josh |last=Constine |title=Dropbox Is Spilling Over To A Humongous Second SF Office |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/03/dropbox-office-333-brannan/ |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127003354/https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/03/dropbox-office-333-brannan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and in February 2014, it signed a lease for two buildings inon Brannan Street.<ref>{{cite web |first=J.K. |last=Dineen |title=Dropbox bags second building for SoMa campus |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2014/02/dropbox-bags-second-building-for-soma.html |website=San Francisco Business Journal |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |date=February 7, 2014 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221744/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2014/02/dropbox-bags-second-building-for-soma.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Not needing the substantial amounts of space after all, the company started shopping the remaining available space to other companies for sublease in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web |first=Cory |last=Weinberg |title=Exclusive: Dropbox looks to shed China Basin HQ space |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2015/11/tech-trouble-dropbox-looks-to-shed-china-basin-hq.html |website=San Francisco Business Journal |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |date=November 11, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922091920/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/real-estate/2015/11/tech-trouble-dropbox-looks-to-shed-china-basin-hq.html |url-status=live }}</ref>