diff --git a/backend/src/auth/middleware.rs b/backend/src/auth/middleware.rs
index e0786aa..492b936 100644
--- a/backend/src/auth/middleware.rs
+++ b/backend/src/auth/middleware.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use axum::extract::{FromRequestParts, State};
+use axum::extract::FromRequestParts;
 use axum::http::request::Parts;
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/feed.rs b/backend/src/handlers/feed.rs
index 0a6f21f..86b72b1 100644
--- a/backend/src/handlers/feed.rs
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/feed.rs
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ use uuid::Uuid;
 use crate::auth::middleware::AuthUser;
 use crate::error::AppError;
 use crate::services::config;
+use crate::services::media_token;
 use crate::services::rate_limiter::client_ip;
 use crate::state::AppState;
 
@@ -27,6 +28,8 @@ pub struct FeedUpload {
     pub uploader_name: String,
     pub preview_url: Option<String>,
     pub thumbnail_url: Option<String>,
+    /// Signed gateway URL for the full-resolution original. Always present.
+    pub original_url: Option<String>,
     pub mime_type: String,
     pub caption: Option<String>,
     pub like_count: i64,
@@ -55,6 +58,33 @@ struct FeedRow {
     created_at: DateTime<Utc>,
 }
 
+/// Build a feed DTO, minting fresh signed gateway URLs for each artifact. The
+/// preview/thumbnail URLs are present only when the derivative exists so the
+/// client can show a skeleton while compression is still running; the original
+/// URL is always present.
+fn to_feed_upload(r: FeedRow, liked: bool, secret: &str, now: i64) -> FeedUpload {
+    FeedUpload {
+        liked_by_me: liked,
+        preview_url: r
+            .preview_path
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(|_| media_token::signed_url(secret, "preview", r.id, now)),
+        thumbnail_url: r
+            .thumbnail_path
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(|_| media_token::signed_url(secret, "thumbnail", r.id, now)),
+        original_url: Some(media_token::signed_url(secret, "original", r.id, now)),
+        id: r.id,
+        user_id: r.user_id,
+        uploader_name: r.uploader_name,
+        mime_type: r.mime_type,
+        caption: r.caption,
+        like_count: r.like_count,
+        comment_count: r.comment_count,
+        created_at: r.created_at,
+    }
+}
+
 pub async fn feed(
     State(state): State<AppState>,
     auth: AuthUser,
@@ -135,24 +165,13 @@ pub async fn feed(
     let upload_ids: Vec<Uuid> = rows.iter().map(|r| r.id).collect();
     let liked_set = get_liked_set(&state.pool, auth.user_id, &upload_ids).await;
 
+    let now = Utc::now().timestamp();
+    let secret = &state.config.jwt_secret;
     let uploads = rows
         .into_iter()
         .map(|r| {
-            let preview_url = r.preview_path.map(|p| format!("/media/{p}"));
-            let thumbnail_url = r.thumbnail_path.map(|p| format!("/media/{p}"));
-            FeedUpload {
-                liked_by_me: liked_set.contains(&r.id),
-                id: r.id,
-                user_id: r.user_id,
-                uploader_name: r.uploader_name,
-                preview_url,
-                thumbnail_url,
-                mime_type: r.mime_type,
-                caption: r.caption,
-                like_count: r.like_count,
-                comment_count: r.comment_count,
-                created_at: r.created_at,
-            }
+            let liked = liked_set.contains(&r.id);
+            to_feed_upload(r, liked, secret, now)
         })
         .collect();
 
@@ -202,20 +221,13 @@ pub async fn feed_delta(
     let upload_ids: Vec<Uuid> = rows.iter().map(|r| r.id).collect();
     let liked_set = get_liked_set(&state.pool, auth.user_id, &upload_ids).await;
 
+    let now = Utc::now().timestamp();
+    let secret = &state.config.jwt_secret;
     let uploads = rows
         .into_iter()
-        .map(|r| FeedUpload {
-            liked_by_me: liked_set.contains(&r.id),
-            id: r.id,
-            user_id: r.user_id,
-            uploader_name: r.uploader_name,
-            preview_url: r.preview_path.map(|p| format!("/media/{p}")),
-            thumbnail_url: r.thumbnail_path.map(|p| format!("/media/{p}")),
-            mime_type: r.mime_type,
-            caption: r.caption,
-            like_count: r.like_count,
-            comment_count: r.comment_count,
-            created_at: r.created_at,
+        .map(|r| {
+            let liked = liked_set.contains(&r.id);
+            to_feed_upload(r, liked, secret, now)
         })
         .collect();
 
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/host.rs b/backend/src/handlers/host.rs
index 6cad627..b7365c5 100644
--- a/backend/src/handlers/host.rs
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/host.rs
@@ -324,24 +324,21 @@ pub async fn host_delete_upload(
     RequireHost(auth): RequireHost,
     Path(upload_id): Path<Uuid>,
 ) -> Result<StatusCode, AppError> {
-    let upload = Upload::find_by_id_and_event(&state.pool, upload_id, auth.event_id)
+    let paths = Upload::soft_delete_in_event(&state.pool, upload_id, auth.event_id)
         .await?
         .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Upload nicht gefunden.".into()))?;
 
-    let deleted = Upload::soft_delete_in_event(&state.pool, upload_id, auth.event_id).await?;
-    if !deleted {
-        return Err(AppError::NotFound("Upload nicht gefunden.".into()));
-    }
+    crate::services::media_fs::unlink_media(&state.config.media_path, &paths).await;
 
     let _ = state.sse_tx.send(SseEvent::new(
         "upload-deleted",
-        serde_json::json!({ "upload_id": upload.id }).to_string(),
+        serde_json::json!({ "upload_id": upload_id }).to_string(),
     ));
 
     tracing::info!(
         actor_user_id = %auth.user_id,
         event_id = %auth.event_id,
-        upload_id = %upload.id,
+        upload_id = %upload_id,
         "host: host_delete_upload"
     );
 
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/media.rs b/backend/src/handlers/media.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..88c1de6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/media.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+//! Authenticated media gateway.
+//!
+//! Replaces the raw `/media` `ServeDir`. Every media byte now flows through a
+//! signature check plus a DB lookup, so:
+//!   - soft-deleted uploads 404 (`find_by_id` filters `deleted_at`) — closes C3,
+//!   - ban-hidden uploaders' artifacts 404 (mirrors the `v_feed` rule) — H2,
+//!   - the export archives (which have no `upload` row) are unreachable — C1,
+//!   - HTML/SVG can't be served as an active document — the response carries
+//!     `nosniff` + a locked-down CSP (defense-in-depth behind the upload-time
+//!     allowlist) — C2 sink.
+//!
+//! Access is authorized by the embedded HMAC signature (see `media_token`), not
+//! a Bearer header, because `<img>`/`<video>` cannot send one.
+
+use axum::extract::{Path, Query, State};
+use axum::response::Response;
+use chrono::Utc;
+use serde::Deserialize;
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+use crate::error::AppError;
+use crate::models::upload::Upload;
+use crate::models::user::User;
+use crate::services::media_token;
+use crate::state::AppState;
+
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+pub struct MediaQuery {
+    pub exp: i64,
+    pub sig: String,
+}
+
+pub async fn serve(
+    State(state): State<AppState>,
+    Path((kind, id)): Path<(String, Uuid)>,
+    Query(q): Query<MediaQuery>,
+) -> Result<Response, AppError> {
+    if !media_token::verify(
+        &state.config.jwt_secret,
+        &kind,
+        id,
+        q.exp,
+        &q.sig,
+        Utc::now().timestamp(),
+    ) {
+        return Err(AppError::Unauthorized(
+            "Ungültige oder abgelaufene Medien-URL.".into(),
+        ));
+    }
+
+    // `find_by_id` filters `deleted_at IS NULL`, so soft-deleted uploads 404.
+    let upload = Upload::find_by_id(&state.pool, id)
+        .await?
+        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Datei nicht gefunden.".into()))?;
+
+    // Hide artifacts of users whose uploads were hidden by a host (ban + hide),
+    // matching the `usr.uploads_hidden = FALSE` predicate in `v_feed`.
+    let uploader = User::find_by_id(&state.pool, upload.user_id)
+        .await?
+        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Datei nicht gefunden.".into()))?;
+    if uploader.uploads_hidden {
+        return Err(AppError::NotFound("Datei nicht gefunden.".into()));
+    }
+
+    let (rel_path, content_type) = match kind.as_str() {
+        "original" => (upload.original_path.clone(), upload.mime_type.clone()),
+        "preview" => (
+            upload
+                .preview_path
+                .clone()
+                .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Vorschau nicht verfügbar.".into()))?,
+            "image/jpeg".to_string(),
+        ),
+        "thumbnail" => (
+            upload
+                .thumbnail_path
+                .clone()
+                .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Vorschau nicht verfügbar.".into()))?,
+            "image/jpeg".to_string(),
+        ),
+        _ => return Err(AppError::NotFound("Unbekannter Medientyp.".into())),
+    };
+
+    stream_file(&state.config.media_path.join(&rel_path), &content_type).await
+}
+
+async fn stream_file(path: &std::path::Path, content_type: &str) -> Result<Response, AppError> {
+    use axum::body::Body;
+    use axum::http::{header, StatusCode};
+    use tokio_util::io::ReaderStream;
+
+    let file = tokio::fs::File::open(path)
+        .await
+        .map_err(|_| AppError::NotFound("Datei nicht gefunden.".into()))?;
+    let metadata = file
+        .metadata()
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| AppError::Internal(e.into()))?;
+    let stream = ReaderStream::new(file);
+
+    Response::builder()
+        .status(StatusCode::OK)
+        .header(header::CONTENT_TYPE, content_type)
+        .header(header::CONTENT_LENGTH, metadata.len())
+        // URLs are signed + time-boxed; cache only privately, aligned to the
+        // 1h URL-stability bucket.
+        .header(header::CACHE_CONTROL, "private, max-age=3600")
+        // Defense-in-depth against any active content slipping past the
+        // upload-time allowlist: never sniff, never script.
+        .header(header::X_CONTENT_TYPE_OPTIONS, "nosniff")
+        .header(
+            header::CONTENT_SECURITY_POLICY,
+            "default-src 'none'; sandbox; frame-ancestors 'none'",
+        )
+        .body(Body::from_stream(stream))
+        .map_err(|e| AppError::Internal(e.into()))
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/mod.rs b/backend/src/handlers/mod.rs
index fbdf47b..cdc179e 100644
--- a/backend/src/handlers/mod.rs
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/mod.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ pub mod admin;
 pub mod feed;
 pub mod host;
 pub mod me;
+pub mod media;
 pub mod social;
 pub mod sse;
 pub mod test_admin;
diff --git a/backend/src/handlers/upload.rs b/backend/src/handlers/upload.rs
index add61d4..4c33aeb 100644
--- a/backend/src/handlers/upload.rs
+++ b/backend/src/handlers/upload.rs
@@ -284,6 +284,12 @@ pub async fn upload(
         uploader_name: user.display_name,
         preview_url: None,
         thumbnail_url: None,
+        original_url: Some(crate::services::media_token::signed_url(
+            &state.config.jwt_secret,
+            "original",
+            upload.id,
+            chrono::Utc::now().timestamp(),
+        )),
         mime_type: canonical_mime,
         caption,
         hashtags: tags,
@@ -349,7 +355,15 @@ pub async fn delete_upload(
         return Err(AppError::Forbidden("Nur eigene Uploads löschen.".into()));
     }
 
-    Upload::soft_delete(&state.pool, upload_id).await?;
+    if let Some(paths) = Upload::soft_delete(&state.pool, upload_id).await? {
+        crate::services::media_fs::unlink_media(&state.config.media_path, &paths).await;
+    }
+
+    // Tell other clients to drop the photo immediately (mirrors host delete).
+    let _ = state.sse_tx.send(crate::state::SseEvent::new(
+        "upload-deleted",
+        serde_json::json!({ "upload_id": upload_id }).to_string(),
+    ));
 
     Ok(StatusCode::NO_CONTENT)
 }
@@ -417,56 +431,9 @@ pub async fn compute_storage_quota(state: &AppState) -> QuotaEstimate {
     }
 }
 
-/// Streaming download of the original file behind an upload. Used by:
-///   - the per-post "Original anzeigen" context action (`window.open`)
-///   - `<img src>` / `<video src>` in the feed, lightbox, and diashow when the user is in
-///     Data Mode = Original
-///
-/// **Auth model:** the route is intentionally unauthenticated, matching how the rest of
-/// `/media/*` is served (preview + thumbnail variants). The URL contains the upload's
-/// UUID, which is unguessable — same security posture as `/media/originals/{slug}/{id}`.
-/// Adding `Authorization: Bearer` here would make the endpoint unusable from `<img src>`
-/// and `window.open`, defeating the purpose of having the alias.
-pub async fn get_original(
-    State(state): State<AppState>,
-    Path(upload_id): Path<Uuid>,
-) -> Result<axum::response::Response, AppError> {
-    let upload = Upload::find_by_id(&state.pool, upload_id)
-        .await?
-        .ok_or_else(|| AppError::NotFound("Upload nicht gefunden.".into()))?;
-
-    let absolute = state.config.media_path.join(&upload.original_path);
-    if !absolute.exists() {
-        return Err(AppError::NotFound("Datei nicht gefunden.".into()));
-    }
-
-    use axum::body::Body;
-    use axum::http::{header, Response, StatusCode};
-    use tokio_util::io::ReaderStream;
-
-    let file = tokio::fs::File::open(&absolute)
-        .await
-        .map_err(|e| AppError::Internal(e.into()))?;
-    let metadata = file
-        .metadata()
-        .await
-        .map_err(|e| AppError::Internal(e.into()))?;
-    let stream = ReaderStream::new(file);
-
-    let filename = absolute
-        .file_name()
-        .and_then(|n| n.to_str())
-        .unwrap_or("original");
-    let disposition = format!("attachment; filename=\"{filename}\"");
-
-    Response::builder()
-        .status(StatusCode::OK)
-        .header(header::CONTENT_TYPE, upload.mime_type)
-        .header(header::CONTENT_DISPOSITION, disposition)
-        .header(header::CONTENT_LENGTH, metadata.len())
-        .body(Body::from_stream(stream))
-        .map_err(|e| AppError::Internal(e.into()))
-}
+// The original-file download is now served by the authenticated, signed media
+// gateway (`handlers::media::serve`). The old unauthenticated `get_original`
+// alias was the H2 vulnerability and has been removed.
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
diff --git a/backend/src/main.rs b/backend/src/main.rs
index 5808c28..ef1fcfd 100644
--- a/backend/src/main.rs
+++ b/backend/src/main.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ use anyhow::Result;
 use axum::extract::DefaultBodyLimit;
 use axum::routing::{delete, get, patch, post};
 use axum::Router;
-use tower_http::services::ServeDir;
 use tower_http::trace::TraceLayer;
 use tracing_subscriber::{layer::SubscriberExt, util::SubscriberInitExt};
 
@@ -46,6 +45,7 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         pool,
         state.rate_limiter.clone(),
         state.sse_tickets.clone(),
+        config.media_path.clone(),
     );
 
     // Ensure media directories exist
@@ -64,10 +64,6 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             "/api/v1/upload/{id}",
             patch(handlers::upload::edit_upload).delete(handlers::upload::delete_upload),
         )
-        .route(
-            "/api/v1/upload/{id}/original",
-            get(handlers::upload::get_original),
-        )
         // Current-user endpoints (live quota estimate, profile + privacy note bundle)
         .route("/api/v1/me/context", get(handlers::me::get_context))
         .route("/api/v1/me/quota", get(handlers::me::get_quota))
@@ -129,13 +125,14 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         api
     };
 
-    // Serve media files from disk
-    let media_service = ServeDir::new(&config.media_path);
-
+    // Media is served exclusively through the authenticated, signed gateway —
+    // there is no raw static mount. The gateway verifies an HMAC signature and
+    // consults the DB (deleted / ban-hidden / type), so private artifacts and
+    // the export archives are never reachable by guessing a path.
     let router = Router::new()
         .route("/health", get(|| async { "ok" }))
         .merge(api)
-        .nest_service("/media", media_service)
+        .route("/media/{kind}/{id}", get(handlers::media::serve))
         .layer(TraceLayer::new_for_http())
         .with_state(state);
 
diff --git a/backend/src/models/upload.rs b/backend/src/models/upload.rs
index 9dc9d8c..bff1d17 100644
--- a/backend/src/models/upload.rs
+++ b/backend/src/models/upload.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,15 @@ pub struct Upload {
     pub deleted_at: Option<DateTime<Utc>>,
 }
 
+/// On-disk artifact paths returned by the soft-delete methods so the caller can
+/// unlink the files after the DB commit.
+#[derive(Debug, sqlx::FromRow)]
+pub struct DeletedPaths {
+    pub original: String,
+    pub preview: Option<String>,
+    pub thumbnail: Option<String>,
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize)]
 pub struct UploadDto {
     pub id: Uuid,
@@ -26,6 +35,8 @@ pub struct UploadDto {
     pub uploader_name: String,
     pub preview_url: Option<String>,
     pub thumbnail_url: Option<String>,
+    /// Signed gateway URL for the full-resolution original. Always present.
+    pub original_url: Option<String>,
     pub mime_type: String,
     pub caption: Option<String>,
     pub hashtags: Vec<String>,
@@ -125,18 +136,21 @@ impl Upload {
     ///
     /// No-op if the row is already deleted — protects against a double-tap on the
     /// delete action double-decrementing the counter.
-    pub async fn soft_delete(pool: &PgPool, id: Uuid) -> Result<(), sqlx::Error> {
+    ///
+    /// Returns the artifact paths of the row that was deleted (`None` if nothing
+    /// matched) so the caller can unlink the files after the commit.
+    pub async fn soft_delete(pool: &PgPool, id: Uuid) -> Result<Option<DeletedPaths>, sqlx::Error> {
         let mut tx = pool.begin().await?;
-        let row: Option<(Uuid, i64)> = sqlx::query_as(
+        let row: Option<(Uuid, i64, String, Option<String>, Option<String>)> = sqlx::query_as(
             "UPDATE upload
              SET deleted_at = NOW()
              WHERE id = $1 AND deleted_at IS NULL
-             RETURNING user_id, original_size_bytes",
+             RETURNING user_id, original_size_bytes, original_path, preview_path, thumbnail_path",
         )
         .bind(id)
         .fetch_optional(&mut *tx)
         .await?;
-        if let Some((user_id, bytes)) = row {
+        let paths = if let Some((user_id, bytes, original, preview, thumbnail)) = row {
             sqlx::query(
                 "UPDATE \"user\"
                  SET total_upload_bytes = GREATEST(0, total_upload_bytes - $2)
@@ -146,31 +160,34 @@ impl Upload {
             .bind(bytes)
             .execute(&mut *tx)
             .await?;
-        }
+            Some(DeletedPaths { original, preview, thumbnail })
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
         tx.commit().await?;
-        Ok(())
+        Ok(paths)
     }
 
-    /// Event-scoped variant of [`Self::soft_delete`]. Returns `false` if no row
+    /// Event-scoped variant of [`Self::soft_delete`]. Returns `None` if no row
     /// matched (already deleted, wrong event, or unknown id) so host handlers
-    /// can return a clean 404 instead of silently no-op'ing.
+    /// can return a clean 404, and the artifact paths otherwise.
     pub async fn soft_delete_in_event(
         pool: &PgPool,
         id: Uuid,
         event_id: Uuid,
-    ) -> Result<bool, sqlx::Error> {
+    ) -> Result<Option<DeletedPaths>, sqlx::Error> {
         let mut tx = pool.begin().await?;
-        let row: Option<(Uuid, i64)> = sqlx::query_as(
+        let row: Option<(Uuid, i64, String, Option<String>, Option<String>)> = sqlx::query_as(
             "UPDATE upload
              SET deleted_at = NOW()
              WHERE id = $1 AND event_id = $2 AND deleted_at IS NULL
-             RETURNING user_id, original_size_bytes",
+             RETURNING user_id, original_size_bytes, original_path, preview_path, thumbnail_path",
         )
         .bind(id)
         .bind(event_id)
         .fetch_optional(&mut *tx)
         .await?;
-        let deleted = if let Some((user_id, bytes)) = row {
+        let paths = if let Some((user_id, bytes, original, preview, thumbnail)) = row {
             sqlx::query(
                 "UPDATE \"user\"
                  SET total_upload_bytes = GREATEST(0, total_upload_bytes - $2)
@@ -180,12 +197,12 @@ impl Upload {
             .bind(bytes)
             .execute(&mut *tx)
             .await?;
-            true
+            Some(DeletedPaths { original, preview, thumbnail })
         } else {
-            false
+            None
         };
         tx.commit().await?;
-        Ok(deleted)
+        Ok(paths)
     }
 
     pub async fn update_caption(
diff --git a/backend/src/services/maintenance.rs b/backend/src/services/maintenance.rs
index 9264de9..f1eec01 100644
--- a/backend/src/services/maintenance.rs
+++ b/backend/src/services/maintenance.rs
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 //!    rate-limiter's in-memory windows (so keys for IPs that left long ago don't
 //!    accumulate).
 
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::time::Duration;
 
 use sqlx::PgPool;
@@ -76,6 +77,7 @@ pub fn spawn_periodic_tasks(
     pool: PgPool,
     rate_limiter: RateLimiter,
     sse_tickets: SseTicketStore,
+    media_path: PathBuf,
 ) {
     tokio::spawn(async move {
         let mut tick = tokio::time::interval(Duration::from_secs(3600));
@@ -86,6 +88,9 @@ pub fn spawn_periodic_tasks(
             cleanup_sessions(&pool).await;
             rate_limiter.prune();
             sse_tickets.prune();
+            // Reclaim disk for uploads soft-deleted more than the grace period
+            // ago, and hard-delete those rows (FKs cascade).
+            crate::services::media_fs::reap_deleted(&pool, &media_path).await;
         }
     });
 }
diff --git a/backend/src/services/media_fs.rs b/backend/src/services/media_fs.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d521355
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/services/media_fs.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+//! Filesystem lifecycle for media artifacts.
+//!
+//! The DB-aware gateway hides deleted/hidden uploads, but the bytes still sit on
+//! a fixed-size disk until something removes them. This module is that
+//! something: best-effort unlinking on delete, plus a periodic reaper that
+//! sweeps files belonging to soft-deleted rows (catching anything an in-process
+//! unlink missed — e.g. a crash between the DB commit and the unlink).
+
+use std::path::Path;
+
+use sqlx::PgPool;
+
+use crate::models::upload::DeletedPaths;
+
+/// Best-effort removal of an upload's three on-disk artifacts. A missing file is
+/// not an error (it may already be gone, or never existed for videos without a
+/// preview); anything else is logged but never propagated — losing the bytes
+/// must not fail the user's delete.
+pub async fn unlink_media(media_path: &Path, paths: &DeletedPaths) {
+    let candidates = [
+        Some(&paths.original),
+        paths.preview.as_ref(),
+        paths.thumbnail.as_ref(),
+    ];
+    for rel in candidates.into_iter().flatten() {
+        let abs = media_path.join(rel);
+        match tokio::fs::remove_file(&abs).await {
+            Ok(()) => {}
+            Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => {}
+            Err(e) => tracing::warn!(path = %rel, error = ?e, "media unlink failed"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Reaper: remove on-disk files for uploads that were soft-deleted more than
+/// `grace` ago, then hard-delete those rows so they don't accumulate. Strictly
+/// DB-row-driven — it never walks the filesystem, so it can never remove a file
+/// belonging to a live upload.
+pub async fn reap_deleted(pool: &PgPool, media_path: &Path) {
+    let rows: Vec<DeletedPaths> = match sqlx::query_as::<_, DeletedPaths>(
+        "SELECT original_path AS original, preview_path AS preview, thumbnail_path AS thumbnail
+         FROM upload
+         WHERE deleted_at IS NOT NULL AND deleted_at < NOW() - INTERVAL '1 day'",
+    )
+    .fetch_all(pool)
+    .await
+    {
+        Ok(rows) => rows,
+        Err(e) => {
+            tracing::warn!(error = ?e, "media reaper: query failed");
+            return;
+        }
+    };
+
+    if rows.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    for paths in &rows {
+        unlink_media(media_path, paths).await;
+    }
+
+    match sqlx::query(
+        "DELETE FROM upload
+         WHERE deleted_at IS NOT NULL AND deleted_at < NOW() - INTERVAL '1 day'",
+    )
+    .execute(pool)
+    .await
+    {
+        Ok(r) => tracing::info!("media reaper: removed {} deleted upload(s)", r.rows_affected()),
+        Err(e) => tracing::warn!(error = ?e, "media reaper: row delete failed"),
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/services/media_token.rs b/backend/src/services/media_token.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f988b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/src/services/media_token.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+//! Stateless signed URLs for the authenticated media gateway.
+//!
+//! Media (`<img>`/`<video>` sources) cannot carry an `Authorization` header, so
+//! access is granted by an HMAC-SHA256 signature embedded in the URL. The
+//! feed/upload DTOs are serialized for an already-authenticated event member, so
+//! that is where fresh signatures are minted; the gateway handler verifies them
+//! without any DB/session state.
+//!
+//! HMAC is implemented over the in-tree `sha2` crate (no new dependency). The
+//! key is the app's `jwt_secret`.
+
+use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
+use uuid::Uuid;
+
+/// Validity window of a signed URL.
+const TTL_SECS: i64 = 24 * 3600;
+/// Issue-time bucket. Expiry (and therefore the URL) is stable within this
+/// window so the browser caches image bytes across feed polls instead of
+/// re-downloading on every refresh.
+const BUCKET_SECS: i64 = 3600;
+
+fn hmac_sha256(key: &[u8], msg: &[u8]) -> [u8; 32] {
+    const BLOCK: usize = 64;
+    let mut key_block = [0u8; BLOCK];
+    if key.len() > BLOCK {
+        let digest = Sha256::digest(key);
+        key_block[..32].copy_from_slice(&digest);
+    } else {
+        key_block[..key.len()].copy_from_slice(key);
+    }
+
+    let mut ipad = [0x36u8; BLOCK];
+    let mut opad = [0x5cu8; BLOCK];
+    for i in 0..BLOCK {
+        ipad[i] ^= key_block[i];
+        opad[i] ^= key_block[i];
+    }
+
+    let mut inner = Sha256::new();
+    inner.update(ipad);
+    inner.update(msg);
+    let inner_digest = inner.finalize();
+
+    let mut outer = Sha256::new();
+    outer.update(opad);
+    outer.update(inner_digest);
+    outer.finalize().into()
+}
+
+fn sign(secret: &str, kind: &str, id: Uuid, exp: i64) -> String {
+    let msg = format!("{kind}:{id}:{exp}");
+    let mac = hmac_sha256(secret.as_bytes(), msg.as_bytes());
+    let mut hex = String::with_capacity(64);
+    for b in mac {
+        use std::fmt::Write;
+        let _ = write!(hex, "{b:02x}");
+    }
+    hex
+}
+
+/// Build a signed, time-boxed gateway URL for one of an upload's artifacts.
+/// `kind` is `original` | `preview` | `thumbnail`.
+pub fn signed_url(secret: &str, kind: &str, id: Uuid, now: i64) -> String {
+    let exp = ((now / BUCKET_SECS) * BUCKET_SECS) + TTL_SECS;
+    let sig = sign(secret, kind, id, exp);
+    format!("/media/{kind}/{id}?exp={exp}&sig={sig}")
+}
+
+/// Verify a signed URL: signature must match and the expiry must not have
+/// passed. Signature comparison is constant-time.
+pub fn verify(secret: &str, kind: &str, id: Uuid, exp: i64, sig: &str, now: i64) -> bool {
+    if exp < now {
+        return false;
+    }
+    let expected = sign(secret, kind, id, exp);
+    constant_time_eq(expected.as_bytes(), sig.as_bytes())
+}
+
+fn constant_time_eq(a: &[u8], b: &[u8]) -> bool {
+    if a.len() != b.len() {
+        return false;
+    }
+    let mut diff = 0u8;
+    for (x, y) in a.iter().zip(b.iter()) {
+        diff |= x ^ y;
+    }
+    diff == 0
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn sign_verify_roundtrip() {
+        let secret = "test_secret_at_least_32_chars_long_xxxx";
+        let id = Uuid::new_v4();
+        let now = 1_700_000_000;
+        let url = signed_url(secret, "original", id, now);
+        // Extract exp + sig from the query string.
+        let (_, query) = url.split_once('?').unwrap();
+        let mut exp = 0i64;
+        let mut sig = String::new();
+        for pair in query.split('&') {
+            let (k, v) = pair.split_once('=').unwrap();
+            match k {
+                "exp" => exp = v.parse().unwrap(),
+                "sig" => sig = v.to_string(),
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+        assert!(verify(secret, "original", id, exp, &sig, now));
+        // Tampered kind / id / sig must fail.
+        assert!(!verify(secret, "preview", id, exp, &sig, now));
+        assert!(!verify(secret, "original", Uuid::new_v4(), exp, &sig, now));
+        assert!(!verify(secret, "original", id, exp, "deadbeef", now));
+        // Wrong secret must fail.
+        assert!(!verify("other_secret_at_least_32_chars_long_yy", "original", id, exp, &sig, now));
+        // Expired must fail.
+        assert!(!verify(secret, "original", id, exp, &sig, exp + 1));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/backend/src/services/mod.rs b/backend/src/services/mod.rs
index 66f838a..7db2436 100644
--- a/backend/src/services/mod.rs
+++ b/backend/src/services/mod.rs
@@ -3,5 +3,7 @@ pub mod config;
 pub mod export;
 pub mod jobs;
 pub mod maintenance;
+pub mod media_fs;
+pub mod media_token;
 pub mod rate_limiter;
 pub mod sse_tickets;
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/components/FeedGrid.svelte b/frontend/src/lib/components/FeedGrid.svelte
index ce8a21e..0c3a659 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/components/FeedGrid.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/components/FeedGrid.svelte
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 	function tileUrl(upload: FeedUpload): string {
 		if (upload.thumbnail_url) return upload.thumbnail_url;
 		if (upload.preview_url) return upload.preview_url;
-		return $dataMode === 'original' ? `/api/v1/upload/${upload.id}/original` : '';
+		return $dataMode === 'original' ? (upload.original_url ?? '') : '';
 	}
 </script>
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/data-mode-store.ts b/frontend/src/lib/data-mode-store.ts
index 171a838..2923616 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/data-mode-store.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/data-mode-store.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Per-device "Datenmodus" — Saver loads compressed previews (default), Original loads
-// the full file via the auth-gated `/api/v1/upload/{id}/original` endpoint.
+// the full file via the signed `original_url` from the media gateway.
 //
 // Stored per-device in localStorage (not per-user) because data plans are a property
 // of the device the guest is currently holding, not their identity.
@@ -40,17 +40,24 @@ if (browser) {
  * Build the URL for a feed upload given the current data mode and the URL variants
  * the backend returned. Centralised so every consumer (cards, lightbox, diashow)
  * follows the same fallback rule:
- *   Original mode → original API route. Falls back to preview if no upload id is
- *                   available (defensive — shouldn't happen in practice).
+ *   Original mode → signed original URL, falling back to preview/thumbnail.
  *   Saver mode    → preview URL (compressed), falling back to thumbnail and then
- *                   original.
+ *                   the signed original.
+ *
+ * All URLs are minted (and signed) by the backend; the client never constructs
+ * a media path itself.
  */
 export function pickMediaUrl(
 	mode: DataMode,
-	upload: { id: string; preview_url: string | null; thumbnail_url: string | null }
+	upload: {
+		id: string;
+		preview_url: string | null;
+		thumbnail_url: string | null;
+		original_url: string | null;
+	}
 ): string {
 	if (mode === 'original') {
-		return `/api/v1/upload/${upload.id}/original`;
+		return upload.original_url ?? upload.preview_url ?? upload.thumbnail_url ?? '';
 	}
-	return upload.preview_url ?? upload.thumbnail_url ?? `/api/v1/upload/${upload.id}/original`;
+	return upload.preview_url ?? upload.thumbnail_url ?? upload.original_url ?? '';
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/lib/types.ts b/frontend/src/lib/types.ts
index 7fc292e..31e9222 100644
--- a/frontend/src/lib/types.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/lib/types.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ export interface FeedUpload {
 	uploader_name: string;
 	preview_url: string | null;
 	thumbnail_url: string | null;
+	original_url: string | null;
 	mime_type: string;
 	caption: string | null;
 	like_count: number;
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/feed/+page.svelte b/frontend/src/routes/feed/+page.svelte
index 4d33b3e..92b1c55 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/feed/+page.svelte
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/feed/+page.svelte
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
 				label: 'Original anzeigen',
 				icon: '⤓',
 				onClick: () => {
-					window.open(`/api/v1/upload/${target.id}/original`, '_blank');
+					if (target.original_url) window.open(target.original_url, '_blank');
 				}
 			}
 		];