diff --git a/make_post_sell/models/product.py b/make_post_sell/models/product.py
index f223ffe..99975b6 100644
--- a/make_post_sell/models/product.py
+++ b/make_post_sell/models/product.py
@@ -109,12 +109,18 @@ class Product(RBase, Base):
 
     total_file_bytes = Column(BigInteger, nullable=False, default=0)
 
-    # Optional magnet link for BitTorrent distribution (set when shop.torrent_enabled)
+    # Optional magnet link for BitTorrent distribution.
+    # Only generated when torrent_opt_in=True AND visibility=1 (public).
     torrent_magnet_link = Column(UnicodeText, nullable=True)
 
     # CDN URL of the .torrent file (set alongside torrent_magnet_link)
     torrent_file_url = Column(UnicodeText, nullable=True)
 
+    # Explicit per-product opt-in to BitTorrent seeding.
+    # False by default — owner must consciously enable per product.
+    # Once seeded, files persist in the swarm even if this is later disabled.
+    torrent_opt_in = Column(Boolean, nullable=False, server_default="0", default=False)
+
     # a denormalized json field to relate products to bundles, and vice versa.
     json_bundle_metadata = Column(
         UnicodeText, default=DEFAULT_BUNDLE_METADATA, nullable=False
diff --git a/make_post_sell/scripts/alembic/versions/0ee5654cfe7d_add_torrent_opt_in_column_to_mps_product.py b/make_post_sell/scripts/alembic/versions/0ee5654cfe7d_add_torrent_opt_in_column_to_mps_product.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d8641a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/make_post_sell/scripts/alembic/versions/0ee5654cfe7d_add_torrent_opt_in_column_to_mps_product.py
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+"""add torrent_opt_in column to mps_product
+
+Revision ID: 0ee5654cfe7d
+Revises: 4f4d7c147437
+Create Date: 2026-04-06 18:03:53.663932
+
+"""
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision = '0ee5654cfe7d'
+down_revision = '4f4d7c147437'
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def _column_exists(table, column):
+    from alembic import op as _op
+    from sqlalchemy import inspect
+    bind = _op.get_bind()
+    insp = inspect(bind)
+    return column in [c["name"] for c in insp.get_columns(table)]
+
+
+def upgrade():
+    if not _column_exists('mps_product', 'torrent_opt_in'):
+        op.add_column(
+            'mps_product',
+            sa.Column('torrent_opt_in', sa.Boolean(), server_default='0', nullable=False),
+        )
+
+
+def downgrade():
+    if _column_exists('mps_product', 'torrent_opt_in'):
+        op.drop_column('mps_product', 'torrent_opt_in')
diff --git a/make_post_sell/templates/product_edit.j2 b/make_post_sell/templates/product_edit.j2
index d4e634e..7702e67 100644
--- a/make_post_sell/templates/product_edit.j2
+++ b/make_post_sell/templates/product_edit.j2
@@ -289,11 +289,28 @@ Your cover (<code>thumbnail1</code>) will show up on search pages.
     <br />
 
     {% if torrent_enabled %}
-    <label>Torrent Distribution
-      <span style="font-weight:normal;color:#888">
-        — generated automatically when you upload the product file
-      </span>
+    <label>Torrent Distribution</label>
+
+    {% if torrent_seeded_but_private %}
+    <p style="color:var(--color-warning,#b45309);background:var(--color-warning-subtle,#fffbeb);border:1px solid currentColor;border-radius:var(--radius-md);padding:var(--space-3);margin:.5rem 0">
+      <strong>Active torrent — file cannot be recalled.</strong>
+      This product is no longer public, so the magnet link is hidden from visitors.
+      However, the file is already seeded in the BitTorrent network and will remain
+      available to anyone who already has the magnet link.
+    </p>
+    {% endif %}
+
+    <label style="font-weight:normal;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:.5rem;margin:.25rem 0">
+      <input type="checkbox" name="torrent_opt_in"
+             {% if torrent_opt_in %}checked{% endif %} />
+      Seed this product via BitTorrent
     </label>
+    <p style="color:var(--color-text-muted,#888);font-size:.85em;margin:.25rem 0 .75rem">
+      Once seeded, the file persists in the BitTorrent network permanently —
+      it cannot be recalled even if you disable this or make the product private.
+      Only enable for files you intend to distribute publicly forever.
+    </p>
+
     {% if torrent_magnet_link %}
       <div style="display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr auto auto auto;gap:.5rem;align-items:center">
         <input type="text" id="torrent_magnet_link_display"
@@ -309,9 +326,13 @@ Your cover (<code>thumbnail1</code>) will show up on search pages.
         <span></span>
         {% endif %}
       </div>
+    {% elif torrent_opt_in %}
+      <p style="color:#888;margin:.25rem 0">
+        Seeding enabled — magnet link will be generated when you upload the product file.
+      </p>
     {% else %}
       <p style="color:#888;margin:.25rem 0">
-        Upload the product file to generate the magnet link and .torrent automatically.
+        Enable seeding above, then upload the product file to generate a magnet link.
       </p>
     {% endif %}
 
diff --git a/make_post_sell/views/content.py b/make_post_sell/views/content.py
index 2d8c551..d64d129 100644
--- a/make_post_sell/views/content.py
+++ b/make_post_sell/views/content.py
@@ -110,6 +110,16 @@ def content(request):
         "instrumentals_url": instrumentals_url,
         "vocals_url": vocals_url,
         "karaoke_eligible": karaoke_eligible,
-        "torrent_magnet_link": product.torrent_magnet_link if product.shop.torrent_enabled else None,
-        "torrent_file_url": product.torrent_file_url if product.shop.torrent_enabled else None,
+        # Only show torrent links on the public page when product is public.
+        # Private/unlisted products must not spread magnet links to visitors.
+        "torrent_magnet_link": (
+            product.torrent_magnet_link
+            if product.shop.torrent_enabled and product.visibility == 1
+            else None
+        ),
+        "torrent_file_url": (
+            product.torrent_file_url
+            if product.shop.torrent_enabled and product.visibility == 1
+            else None
+        ),
     }
diff --git a/make_post_sell/views/product.py b/make_post_sell/views/product.py
index 9d59685..9b5df8e 100644
--- a/make_post_sell/views/product.py
+++ b/make_post_sell/views/product.py
@@ -291,13 +291,39 @@ def product_edit(request):
             request.shop_bucket_name,
         )
         request.session.flash(("You updated the product's visibility.", "success"))
+        # Warn if switching away from public while a torrent is already seeded.
+        if visibility != 1 and product.torrent_magnet_link:
+            request.session.flash((
+                "Warning: this product has an active torrent. "
+                "The magnet link is no longer shown to visitors, "
+                "but the file persists in the BitTorrent network and cannot be recalled.",
+                "warning",
+            ))
 
     if price != product.price:
         product_modified = True
         request.dbsession.add(product.set_price(price))
         request.session.flash(("You updated the product's price.", "success"))
 
-    # torrent_magnet_link is auto-generated on upload — no manual save needed
+    # torrent_opt_in — explicit per-product seeding consent
+    if product.shop.torrent_enabled and "submit" in request.params:
+        new_opt_in = request.params.get("torrent_opt_in", "off") == "on"
+        if new_opt_in != product.torrent_opt_in:
+            product_modified = True
+            product.torrent_opt_in = new_opt_in
+            if new_opt_in:
+                request.session.flash((
+                    "Torrent seeding enabled for this product. "
+                    "The file will be seeded when you upload or re-upload. "
+                    "Warning: once seeded, files cannot be recalled from the BitTorrent network.",
+                    "warning",
+                ))
+            else:
+                request.session.flash((
+                    "Torrent seeding disabled. "
+                    "Note: if already seeded, the file persists in the BitTorrent network.",
+                    "success",
+                ))
 
     if s3_webhook_key and s3_webhook_bucket and s3_webhook_etag:
         # Check if the file exists and has a non-zero size
@@ -381,8 +407,17 @@ def product_edit(request):
                 product.shop.id, request.registry["dbsession_factory"]
             )
 
-        # Auto-generate .torrent + magnet link for the main product file
-        if file_key == "product" and product.shop.torrent_enabled:
+        # Generate .torrent + magnet link only when:
+        #  - torrent distribution is enabled for the shop
+        #  - the owner explicitly opted this product in (torrent_opt_in)
+        #  - the product is public (visibility == 1)
+        # Torrents are permanent — files persist in the swarm once seeded.
+        if (
+            file_key == "product"
+            and product.shop.torrent_enabled
+            and product.torrent_opt_in
+            and product.visibility == 1
+        ):
             from ..lib.torrent import generate_torrent_async
             generate_torrent_async(
                 request.shop_uploads_client,
@@ -527,8 +562,12 @@ def product_edit(request):
         "inventories": inventories if product.is_physical else {},
         "price_history": price_history,
         "torrent_enabled": product.shop.torrent_enabled,
+        "torrent_opt_in": product.torrent_opt_in,
         "torrent_magnet_link": product.torrent_magnet_link or "",
         "torrent_file_url": product.torrent_file_url or "",
+        "torrent_seeded_but_private": bool(
+            product.torrent_magnet_link and product.visibility != 1
+        ),
     }
 
 
diff --git a/make_post_sell/views/shop.py b/make_post_sell/views/shop.py
index 9da394d..d48c147 100644
--- a/make_post_sell/views/shop.py
+++ b/make_post_sell/views/shop.py
@@ -79,6 +79,10 @@ def _torrent_backfill_async(request, shop):
             continue  # already generated
         if "product" not in product.originals:
             continue  # no product file uploaded yet
+        if not product.torrent_opt_in:
+            continue  # owner has not explicitly opted this product in
+        if product.visibility != 1:
+            continue  # torrents are permanent — only seed public products
         generate_torrent_async(
             s3_client,
             bucket,
@@ -1513,7 +1517,12 @@ def torrent_backfill_status(request):
         .all()
     )
 
-    eligible = [p for p in products if "product" in p.originals]
+    eligible = [
+        p for p in products
+        if "product" in p.originals
+        and p.torrent_opt_in
+        and p.visibility == 1
+    ]
     done = [p for p in eligible if p.torrent_magnet_link]
 
     total = len(eligible)