TL;DR

A user on Hacker News shared that they lost access to their projects after unsubscribing from Claude Design. The issue highlights potential risks of data loss post-subscription cancellation. The company has not yet responded publicly.

A user on Hacker News has reported losing access to their projects on Claude Design after unsubscribing from the service, raising concerns about data retention and account management policies.

The user, identified as ‘pycassa,’ stated that after a five-month subscription to Claude Code Max, they returned to their previous projects on Claude Design only to find they no longer had access. This marks the first known instance of a user losing access to past sessions after unsubscribing, according to their account.

The user also described prior issues with credits, noting that after their subscription ended, they lost access to any remaining credits, even after resubscribing. They expressed frustration over the lack of clarity and support, and highlighted that such experiences are unusual compared to other large language model (LLM) platforms, where access to previous work typically persists post-cancellation.

Why It Matters

This incident underscores potential risks related to data retention and account access policies in AI service platforms. If users cannot retain access to their projects after unsubscribing, it raises questions about data security, user rights, and platform transparency. Such issues could influence user trust and adoption of AI tools for professional or personal projects.

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)

Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external…

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

Background

Claude, a prominent AI platform, offers subscription-based access to its language models, including Claude Design and Claude Code Max. Historically, users have maintained access to their previous sessions regardless of subscription status. However, this report suggests a possible change or flaw in the platform’s data management policies, which could impact users’ ability to retain their work after cancellation.

“I wanted to try codex after 5 months of claude code max subscription. And then I went back to my previous projects on claude design only to realize I don’t have access to them anymore.”

— pycassa (Hacker News user)

“Even after resubscribing, I still don’t have access to those credits.”

— pycassa (Hacker News user)

Data Recovery Stick | USB Data Recovery Device | Windows Data Recovery Software | Recover SD Card, Photos, Files

Data Recovery Stick | USB Data Recovery Device | Windows Data Recovery Software | Recover SD Card, Photos, Files

The Data Recovery Stick requires no technical skills — simply plug it into your Windows computer, click Start,…

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

What Remains Unclear

It is not yet clear whether this incident is an isolated case or indicative of a broader change in Claude’s platform policies. The company has not issued a public statement or clarification regarding data retention or access policies following subscription cancellations.

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)

Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external…

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

What’s Next

Platform officials are expected to address this issue publicly, clarifying their data and access policies. Users are advised to monitor official communications for updates and consider backing up important projects independently until policies are clarified.

SnapFind Smart QR Code Labels – AI Auto-Labeling, No Typing! Storage Bins & Moving Containers – iOS and Android App – 48 Color-Coded Stickers (2.5" x 2.5")

SnapFind Smart QR Code Labels – AI Auto-Labeling, No Typing! Storage Bins & Moving Containers – iOS and Android App – 48 Color-Coded Stickers (2.5" x 2.5")

48 Unique QR Code Labels (buy as many packs as you need)

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

Key Questions

Is losing access to projects after unsubscribing common on Claude?

It is currently unclear if this is a widespread issue or an isolated incident. No official statement has been released by Claude regarding this matter.

Can users recover their projects after losing access?

There is no publicly available information indicating whether project recovery is possible once access is lost. Users should back up their data regularly.

Has Claude responded to this report?

As of now, there has been no official response from Claude or its support team regarding this incident.

Does this affect all users or just a specific case?

It is not yet known whether this issue affects multiple users or is limited to this individual case. Further reports are needed to determine the scope.

You May Also Like

Google’s AI search is so broken it can ‘disregard’ what you’re looking for

Google’s AI Overviews are currently misinterpreting certain action-related queries, including ‘disregard,’ leading to broken or irrelevant responses, Google confirms.

The Google I/O 2026 Preview: What May 19-20 Will Reveal About Google’s Agentic Bet

Google’s I/O 2026 will likely unveil Gemini 4.0, expanded agent protocols, and new XR glasses, signaling major strides in agentic AI deployment.

Use boring languages with LLMs

Experts suggest prioritizing consistent, less fragmented programming languages to improve the reliability of large language models’ code generation.

The queue. Why the grid, not the chip, is the binding constraint on AI.

The US AI buildout is constrained by grid interconnection queues, not chip supply, leading to private power solutions and political costs.