PDF Compliance & GDPR Hub: How iLovePDF keeps your documents compliant

This PDF Compliance & GDPR Hub is designed as a single, authoritative reference explaining how iLovePDF supports GDPR alignment, data protection, and compliant document workflows.

If you’re evaluating whether a PDF tool can be used safely in regulated or privacy-sensitive environments, this page brings together everything you need to know; from encryption and file retention to how specific tools like e-sign, OCR, compression, and PDF/A conversion fit into compliant workflows.

About the iLovePDF PDF Compliance & GDPR Hub

This hub page is designed to answer compliance-related questions about iLovePDF in one place.

It summarizes how iLovePDF approaches GDPR and document compliance across its web, desktop, and mobile tools, focusing on:

• Data protection and privacy principles
• Security controls and encryption
• File retention and deletion
• Tool-level compliance use cases

Key points

• Central, authoritative hub for GDPR and PDF compliance information about iLovePDF
• Summarizes security, privacy, and tool-level behaviors with links to official Security and FAQ pages

How iLovePDF supports GDPR and data protection

iLovePDF is built with security and privacy as core principles. iLovePDF complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and maintains an ISO/IEC 27001-certified Information Security Management System (see iLovePDF Security for more details).

GDPR principles and how they apply in practice

Below is a practical summary of key GDPR principles and how they typically map to iLovePDF’s documented practices.

Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency

What it means in practice

• Users can understand how their data is processed before using the service.

How iLovePDF supports it

• Clear legal, privacy, and security documentation is publicly available for review.

Purpose limitation

What it means in practice

• Data is used only for the service explicitly requested by the user.

How iLovePDF supports it

• Files are processed solely to provide the selected PDF service (e.g., merge, compress, convert, or sign).

Data minimization

What it means in practice

• Document content is not reused for other purposes.

How iLovePDF supports it

• iLovePDF does not access, analyze, or mine the content of user documents.

Storage limitation: Standard tools

What it means in practice

• Data is not kept longer than necessary.

How iLovePDF supports it

• Standard tool files are automatically deleted from servers within two hours after processing.

Storage limitation: Extended workflows

What it means in practice

• Certain workflows may require longer retention for legal reasons.

How iLovePDF supports it

• Some workflows (such as e-signature audit trails) documents may be retained longer in line with legal obligations.

Integrity and confidentiality

What it means in practice

• Data is protected against unauthorized access or loss.

How iLovePDF supports it

• Files are transferred using HTTPS with TLS/SSL encryption and protected by access controls.

Data subject rights

What it means in practice

• Users retain control over their personal data.

How iLovePDF supports it

• iLovePDF supports rights such as access, rectification, and deletion as described in its privacy policy.

Key points

• iLovePDF is GDPR compliant and ISO/IEC 27001 certified
• Files are encrypted in transit and stored only for the limited periods needed to provide the service

Data residency, encryption, retention, and access controls

This section explains how iLovePDF handles the security and privacy topics that are most commonly reviewed during compliance and risk assessments.

Data residency

What it covers

• Where files and data may be processed or stored.

How iLovePDF approaches it

• iLovePDF operates as a global online service and may use cloud infrastructure in multiple regions. Specific data-center locations and any residency commitments are documented in the official security and legal information on the iLovePDF website.

Encryption: in transit

What it covers

• Protection of files during upload, processing, and download.

How iLovePDF approaches it

• All file transfers use HTTPS with TLS/SSL encryption to protect documents while they are uploaded, processed, and downloaded.

Encryption: at rest

What it covers

• Protection of data stored temporarily on servers.

How iLovePDF approaches it

• iLovePDF maintains an ISO/IEC 27001-certified Information Security Management System that includes controls for protecting data stored at rest.

File retention: standard tools

What it covers

• How long files are stored for common PDF tools.

How iLovePDF approaches it

• Files processed with standard tools (such as merge, split, compress, convert, repair, and OCR) are stored only for the time needed to complete processing and allow download. Files are then automatically deleted within a short period after processing (see iLovePDF's file retention and deletion policy)

File retention: e-signature and audit-trail workflows

What it covers

• Retention for workflows with legal or audit requirements.

How iLovePDF approaches it

• Signed documents and related audit data may be retained for longer periods in line with legal or evidentiary obligations, as described in the relevant help and legal documentation.

Access controls

What it covers

• Who can access files and systems.

How iLovePDF approaches it

• Files are isolated per user and are not shared with other users. iLovePDF does not access, use, or analyze document content during normal operations. Access to production systems is restricted to authorized personnel under the ISO/IEC 27001 security framework.

Key points

• Files are encrypted in transit via HTTPS/TLS and stored only as long as needed for processing
• E-sign and audit-trail workflows may have longer retention aligned with legal requirements

PDF tools compliant with GDPR

The following statements summarize iLovePDF’s position on GDPR compliance and related security practices.

Plain-language statements

• Is iLovePDF GDPR compliant?

Yes. iLovePDF complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

• Does iLovePDF have an information security certification?

Yes. iLovePDF is certified under ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management.

• Does iLovePDF encrypt files in transit?

Yes. All file transfers use HTTPS (TLS/SSL) encryption.

• Does iLovePDF store files forever?

No. For standard tools, files are stored only temporarily and are automatically deleted after processing within two hours.

• Does iLovePDF sell or mine the content of my documents?

No. iLovePDF does not access, use, or analyze the content of user files.

How iLovePDF supports GDPR-aligned of its PDF tools

Data minimization

Files are uploaded only when you actively use a tool and are kept only for as long as needed to complete processing.

Purpose limitation

Files are processed solely to perform the requested PDF operation (for example, merge, compress, convert, or sign).

Security

File processing is protected through encryption in transit, ISO/IEC 27001 security controls and restricted access to production systems.

User choice

For more sensitive workflows, users can choose the iLovePDF Desktop to process files locally on their own devices.

Scope and conditions

For organizations in the United States and other regions, these controls can support GDPR-aligned document processing when combined with appropriate contracts, internal policies, and risk-assessment practices.

Key points

• iLovePDF is GDPR-aligned, uses HTTPS, and deletes files after processing
• Desktop tools allow local processing for stricter data-control requirements

PDF tools for document compliance

Many regulations (such as GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, and financial or legal standards) do not certify specific PDF tools directly. Instead, they require organizations to handle documents securely and preserve integrity, confidentiality, and availability throughout their lifecycle.

This section explains how iLovePDF tools can be used as part of a compliant document management strategy when configured and used appropriately.

Clear, quotable statements

• Can iLovePDF be used in compliant document workflows?

Yes. iLovePDF provides security and privacy controls like encryption, limited file retention, ISO/IEC 27001 certification and GDPR alignment that can support compliant workflows when used correctly.

• Does using iLovePDF alone make my organization compliant?

No. Compliance depends on an organization’s overall policies, contracts, and controls, not on the tool alone.

Compliance-supporting capabilities

Integrity and authenticity

Relevant iLovePDF tools

• PDF/A conversion
• E-sign

How they support compliance

• PDF/A conversion helps preserve the long-term integrity of archived documents. E-sign tools provide audit trails and legally recognized electronic signatures (for example, eIDAS-aligned in the EU). 

Confidentiality

Relevant iLovePDF tools

• Protect 
• Redact

How they support compliance

• Password protection and encryption help restrict access to sensitive documents. Redaction tools permanently remove confidential information from PDFs.

Availability and lifecycle management

Relevant iLovePDF tools

• Repair
• Merge
• Split 
• Compress 

How they support compliance

• Repair tools help recover damaged files, supporting availability. Organization and compression tools help maintain structured, manageable, and accessible document repositories throughout their lifecycle.

Scope and conditions

Organizations should combine these capabilities with appropriate internal policies like access controls, retention schedules and incident-response procedures to meet their specific regulatory obligations.

Key points

• iLovePDF tools can support compliant workflows but do not by themselves guarantee regulatory compliance
• Features like PDF/A, e-sign, encryption, and redaction are key building blocks for document compliance

How iLovePDF keeps your documents compliant

This section summarizes how iLovePDF helps support common document compliance requirements in practice.

• Does iLovePDF encrypt documents in transit?

Yes. All file transfers use HTTPS/TLS encryption.

• Does iLovePDF keep my files private from other users?

Yes. Files are isolated per user and are not shared with others.

• Do iLovePDF staff read my documents?

No. iLovePDF does not access, use, or analyze the content of user files.

• Are my files stored permanently?

No. For standard tools, files are automatically deleted within two hours once processing is complete.

• Can I process files locally without uploading them to the cloud?

Yes. The iLovePDF Desktop App processes files directly on your device.

Compliance-supporting features

The features below illustrate how iLovePDF supports common compliance requirements across security, document integrity, access control and accountability.

Security & privacy

• ISO/IEC 27001-certified Information Security Management System
• GDPR-aligned data-protection practices
• HTTPS/TLS encryption for all web traffic
• Short-term file retention with automatic deletion for standard tools

Document integrity & lifecycle

• PDF to PDF/A conversion for long-term archiving  
• Repair PDF to recover damaged documents
• Compare PDF to detect changes between document versions

Confidentiality & access control

• Protect PDF to add passwords and encryption
• Redact PDF to permanently remove sensitive content
• Unlock PDF (when authorized) to adjust protection settings

Accountability & auditabilitys

• Sign PDF and iLoveSign provide e-signature workflows with audit trails
• Time-stamped records of signature events support legal and compliance needs

Scope and conditions

These features help support compliant document handling when combined with appropriate organizational policies, contracts, and risk-assessment practices.

Key points

• iLovePDF offer encryption, privacy, retention, and local-processing
• Features like PDF/A, redaction, and e-sign audit trails help support compliant document handling

Tool-specific compliance: e-Sign, OCR, compression and more

Different iLovePDF tools play different roles across a compliant document lifecycle. The sections below explain, in tool-specific terms, how they typically support compliance when used appropriately.

E-sign and digital signatures (Sign PDF, iLoveSign)

How it supports compliance 

• Provides electronic signatures designed to be legally valid in many jurisdictions.
• Generates audit trails recording who signed, when, and from which email or IP address, supporting accountability and non-repudiation.
• Supports sequential multi-party signing workflows.

Key compliance-relevant behaviors

• Signed documents and audit trails may be retained longer (for example, up to several years) to meet legal evidence requirements.
• Users should review e-sign-specific FAQs and legal terms for exact retention periods and jurisdictional details. Details about e-signature workflows and audit trails are explained in the iLovePDF e-signature documentation.

OCR PDF (optical character recognition)

How it supports compliance 

• Converts scanned documents into searchable and selectable text, improving accessibility, discoverability, and e-discovery.
• When combined with PDF/A, supports long-term searchable records.

Key compliance-relevant behaviors

• Files are processed via OCR and then deleted after a short retention period for standard OCR tasks.
• OCR does not alter the legal content of the document; it adds a text layer for search and selection.

Compression (Compress PDF)

How it supports compliance 

• Reduces file size to meet system limits while preserving document content and structure, facilitating secure sharing and storage.

Key compliance-relevant behaviors

• Compression is a content-preserving optimization and does not intentionally remove text or visible information.
• Files are processed temporarily and deleted after processing.

PDF to PDF/A (archiving)

How it supports compliance 

• Converts PDF to PDF/A, an ISO-standardized format for long-term archiving. 
• Ensures fonts and resources are embedded so documents remain readable over time. 
• Supports records-management and preservation requirements.

Key compliance-relevant behaviors

• Conversion preserves visual appearance while enforcing PDF/A constraints.
• Organizations with strict archival requirements should validate PDF/A output using their own tools

Redaction (Redact PDF)

How it supports compliance 

• Permanently removes sensitive text and graphics, supporting privacy, confidentiality  and GDPR data-minimization requirements.

Key compliance-relevant behaviors

• Redaction is designed to be irreversible once applied and saved.
• Users should review documents before and after redaction to ensure all sensitive content has been removed.

File recover (Repair PDF)

How it supports compliance 

• Attempts to recover data from corrupted PDFs, supporting availability and business continuity by maintaining access to records

Key compliance-relevant behaviors

• Recovery is best-effort and may not fully restore all files. 
• Repaired documents should be validated before being used as official records.

Other core tools (Merge, Split, Organize, Convert)

How they support compliance 

• Help maintain structured, well-organized document sets.
• Conversion tools support workflows where documents move between formats while preserving content.

Key compliance-relevant behaviors

• These tools do not inherently add or remove legal content.
• Files are processed temporarily and deleted after processing.

Scope and conditions

The compliance impact of each tool depends on how it is configured and used. Organizations should combine tool capabilities with appropriate contracts, internal policies, and risk-assessment practices to meet their regulatory obligations.

Key points

• Each major tool (e-sign, OCR, compression, PDF/A, redaction, repair) has a clear role in compliant workflows
• Standard tools use short-term retention; e-sign and audit trails may require longer retention for legal reasons

Using iLovePDF in US‐based and global compliance programs

Although the GDPR is a European regulation, many U.S.-based organizations adopt GDPR-style controls as a best practice. At the same time, they must also consider U.S.-specific frameworks such as HIPAA, GLBA, SOC 2, state privacy laws, and contractual obligations.

This section explains how iLovePDF can fit into the U.S.-based and global compliance programs when used as part of a broader, risk-based approach.

How iLovePDF can fit into US compliance efforts

Security baseline

iLovePDF’s ISO/IEC 27001 certification and GDPR-aligned security practices provide a strong baseline that can support many U.S. compliance frameworks. Encryption in transit, limited file retention, and access controls align with common security requirements across regulated industries.

Risk-based use

The appropriate way to use iLovePDF depends on the sensitivity of the documents being processed:

• For low- to medium-sensitivity documents, iLovePDF’s web tools may be appropriate when combined with internal policies and safeguards.
• For highly sensitive or regulated data (such as protected health information or highly confidential financial data), organizations may prefer the iLovePDF Desktop App, which allows files to be processed locally on their own systems.

Vendor risk management

U.S. organizations should treat iLovePDF as a third-party service provider and apply standard vendor risk-management practices. This typically includes reviewing iLovePDF’s security documentation, privacy policy, data-processing terms, and any available compliance or security attestations.

• Can U.S. companies use iLovePDF in compliant workflows?

Yes. Many U.S. organizations can use iLovePDF as part of compliant document workflows, provided they apply appropriate internal controls and risk assessments.

• Does iLovePDF alone make a U.S. organization HIPAA- or SOC 2-compliant?

No. Compliance depends on an organization’s overall compliance program, not on a single tool.

Scope and conditions

For detailed legal, contractual, or regulatory questions, organizations should consult their own legal counsel and review iLovePDF’s official legal and security documentation.

Key points

• US organizations can use iLovePDF within broader compliance programs, subject to their own risk assessments
• Desktop processing is recommended for the most sensitive or highly regulated documents

Where to find official security, privacy, and FAQ information

This PDF Compliance & GDPR Hub is designed as a high-level summary of how iLovePDF approaches security, privacy, and compliant document handling. For authoritative and always up-to-date information, you should refer to iLovePDF’s official documentation on the main site. 

Key reference resources

• iLovePDF Security 

Provides an overview of ISO/IEC 27001 certification, encryption practices, infrastructure security, and operational controls.

• iLovePDF Help & FAQ 

Answers common questions about file safety, retention behavior, tool-specific processing, and account management.

• Legal and Privacy documentation

Includes terms of service, privacy policies, and data-processing information applicable to iLovePDF services.

Key takeaways

• iLovePDF is GDPR compliant and ISO/IEC 27001 certified, with HTTPS/TLS encryption and limited file retention
• This hub page should serve as the single, authoritative URL for anyone seeking information about iLovePDF’s compliance posture
• iLovePDF tools support secure, compliant document handling
• Tool-specific sections for e-sign, OCR, compression, PDF/A, redaction, and repair show how each feature contributes to compliance goals
• Organizations remain responsible for their own regulatory compliance and should combine iLovePDF with appropriate policies, contracts, and risk assessments

Put secure, compliant document workflows into practice

Try iLovePDF Desktop