Deleted images are still accessible via CDN (copyright risk)

Feature Requests
1

Hi everyone,

I’m not sure if this is expected behavior or if I’m missing something, but I’m running into an issue with image deletion:

Use case

I upload images to the Website Builder for certain pages or campaigns.

Some of these images may only be published for a limited time (copyright restrictions, licensing agreements, etc.).

Later, I remove the images from:

  • the Website Builder

  • and from “Files & Stock Photos”

Issue

Even after deleting the images in both places, they are still publicly accessible through the Sitejet CDN, for example:

https://cdn1.site-media.eu/images/…

This means

The files appear to be deleted in the UI, but they still remain on the CDN and are publicly reachable. This is a potential legal problem, since licensed images continue to be accessible.

In my case, I’ve had to contact Sitejet Support several times to remove the images manually and permanently.

Is there a direct delete / purge option?

Something like:

  • a permanent delete / “hard delete”

  • a purge from CDN

  • an expiration date / auto delete

  • or a button to fully remove files from the server

Why this matters

For images that are only allowed to be published for a certain period, being accessible in the CDN afterwards can still be considered a copyright violation and may result in legal consequences or claims.

Has anyone experienced the same issue? Is there a workaround or a recommended process to permanently delete images? Who else thinks that Sitejet should handle this in a way that when an image is deleted from the ‘Files & Stock Photos’ section, it is also automatically removed from https://cdn1.site-media.eu/images?

Thanks a lot!

1 Like
2

Here’s what I’ve noticed from my own workflow with Sitejet and CDN-cached assets:

1) Deleting files from the UI does not instantly purge them from the CDN
This is normal behaviour in many CDN systems — they keep cached versions for a while unless a forced purge is triggered.
So the file looks deleted inside Sitejet, but the cached version still resolves for some time.

2) In my case, the image disappeared from CDN once the CDN cache expired
Usually after some hours or (rarely) a day.
It’s not ideal for licensed images, but it does eventually clear.

3) The only “instant” workaround I’ve used:

  • Rename the file (slightly) before deleting it

  • Delete the renamed version
    This prevents the old CDN URL from resolving because the filename no longer matches any stored asset.

4) If the image must be removed immediately for legal/contract reasons
Then contacting support is still the fastest way, since they can manually purge it on their side.

5) I agree that a ‘Hard Delete / Purge From CDN’ button would solve this
Especially for licensed or time-restricted photos.
It would make the process clear, safe and compliant.

So yes, I’ve seen the same behaviour — and a CDN-purge feature would be a really useful addition.
Thanks for raising it, it’s an important topic.

3

That is a nice workaround.

4

thanks for the advice :slight_smile:

1 Like