VIM keeps a directory tree at ~/.backups/

I just recently found that directory tree at the shell account at my Internet provider’s site, and I had no idea, who created and maintained it. They told me, they had activated that VIM feature. Apparently they advised VIM to keep 20 back-up copies of each edited file. I really like automatic back-up copies, but that’s too much. I removed that directory (tree), and I am looking forward to see local back-up copies.