System, method, and software for enforcing information retention using uniform retention rules

Methods, systems, and software for enforcing archival of data objects into archive objects and managed destruction of the archive objects are disclosed. In some cases, the computer techniques include enforcing a retention rule, such as a retention date and archive properties, and a destruction indication, such as an expiration date, of data identified for archival. The data objects are archived under hierarchical paths in a long-term storage system according to retention-related properties of the data objects and the retention rules. Further, the archived data can be destroyed according to destruction indications. Once archived, destruction of the data may be prevented by a hold applied to the data.