Object Immutability

Object Retention

Object storage retention rules ensure that an object is WORM protected for some period of time. Object storage retention policy specifies retention periods set on an object version either explicitly or through a bucket default setting. A default lock configuration set at the bucket level applies to objects that are created subsequently, and does not apply retroactively to versions of objects created previously.

When the bucket default setting is used, a duration is set in either days or years that defines the length of time for which every object version placed in the bucket should be protected. A new object placed in the bucket inherits the protection duration as set for the bucket.

Retention periods may be set explicitly for an object version. Explicit retention periods specify a Retain Until Date for the object version. The Retain Until Date setting is stored in the object version's metadata and protects the object version until the retention period expires.

After the retention period expires, the object version can be deleted unless a legal hold was also placed on the object version.

Explicit retention mode settings override default bucket settings.

Retention periods can be extended easily by submitting a new lock request.

There are two types of modes used to set a retention period for objects and buckets in the Retention framework:

Governance Mode

Governance mode is used to protect objects from being deleted by standard users. Some users, however, will need to retain the permissions required to modify the retention settings or delete the objects. Those users will require special permissions such as the s3:BypassGovernanceRetention permission and DeleteObject permission.

Compliance Mode

Compliance mode is more restrictive and cannot be undone within the retention period. As a result, Compliance mode ensures that no one, including the root user, can delete an object during its retention period.