The friendly version

These terms govern your use of File Vault, a personal zero-knowledge file vault. By creating an account or using the service, you agree to them.

1. The service

File Vault lets you store personal files (such as documents, scans, images, and text) encrypted in your browser before upload. We provide hosting for ciphertext and account management. We do not operate a public file-sharing platform.

Learn more about encryption on our How your files stay private page.

2. Eligibility and accounts

• You must be able to form a binding contract in your jurisdiction and be at least the age of digital consent there.
• You are responsible for keeping your login credentials and recovery key confidential.
• One person or entity should not create accounts solely to abuse quotas, evade suspension, or disrupt the service.
• We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms or threaten the service or other users.

3. Ownership of content

• You must only upload files that you own or that you have a lawful right to store.
• You must not upload material that infringes copyright, trademark, privacy, or other rights of third parties.
• You retain whatever ownership rights you already have in your files. Uploading does not transfer ownership to us.
• Because content is encrypted, we cannot review file contents. That does not reduce your responsibility for what you store.

4. Allowed and disallowed files

Intended use: personal documents and records such as PDFs, images (passport scans, receipts, photos), text files, and similar private files within the size limits of your plan (currently up to 50 MB per file).

Disallowed uploads include, without limitation:

• Executable programs and scripts (for example .exe, .bat, .cmd, .msi, .sh, .ps1, .vbs, .jar, and similar).
• Malware, ransomware, viruses, or tools whose primary purpose is unauthorized access or harm.
• Files you do not have rights to store, including pirated software or media.
• Content that is illegal to possess or distribute where you live or where the service operates.

Client-side checks may block some dangerous extensions, but you remain responsible for complying with these rules even if a file is technically accepted.

5. Prohibited activities

You agree not to use File Vault to:

• Engage in any illegal activity, or to store or transmit content used for illegal activity.
• Harass, threaten, or harm others; store CSAM or other unlawful sexual content involving minors.
• Distribute spam, phishing material, or stolen credentials.
• Attempt to probe, scan, or breach the service, other accounts, or related infrastructure.
• Interfere with or overload the service (for example automated abuse, scraping account endpoints beyond normal use).
• Resell the service as a public hosting or file-sharing platform, or use it as a CDN for third parties.
• Misrepresent your identity when contacting us about billing or account issues.

6. Your responsibilities

• Content: You are solely responsible for the files you upload and for any consequences of storing them.
• Keys: You must safeguard your password and recovery key. Lost password and lost recovery key mean permanent loss of access to encrypted files. We cannot reset vault contents for you.
• Devices: You are responsible for the security of devices and browsers you use to unlock the vault.
• Backups: We recommend keeping offline copies of critical documents. Service availability is not a substitute for your own backups.
• Compliance: You must comply with applicable laws in your location regarding data you store.

7. Zero-knowledge and our limits

File contents and most metadata are encrypted so that we cannot read them. We may still process operational data such as your email address, plan, storage usage, approximate file sizes, and technical logs needed to run and secure the service.

Zero-knowledge encryption does not mean we waive the right to suspend accounts for Terms violations reported through abuse channels, billing disputes, or clear technical abuse. It means we cannot decrypt your stored files to investigate their contents.

8. Plans, quotas, and payments

• Free and Pro storage limits are described on the site and may change with reasonable notice.
• Per-file size limits and plan quotas are enforced on ciphertext size where applicable.
• If Pro or paid features are offered, fees, refunds, and unlock procedures will be stated at the point of purchase or upgrade.
• We may reclaim storage or restrict uploads when quotas are exceeded.

9. Availability and changes

We aim for reliable uptime but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. Maintenance, hosting issues, or force majeure may cause downtime. We may modify features, quotas, or these terms. Material changes will be reflected on this page with an updated date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

10. Disclaimer of warranties

The service is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

11. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for loss of data, profits, or business, arising from your use of the service — including loss of encrypted files due to forgotten credentials or recovery keys. Our total liability for any claim relating to the service is limited to the greater of (a) the amounts you paid us for the service in the twelve months before the claim, or (b) zero if you use only a free plan.

12. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold us (the people who run File Vault) harmless from claims, damages, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your content, your use of the service, or your violation of these terms or applicable law.

13. Termination

You may stop using the service at any time. We may suspend or terminate access if you breach these terms, if required by law, or if we discontinue the service. Upon termination, your right to use the service ends. Encrypted data may be deleted according to our retention practices after account closure.

14. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws applicable where we principally run the service, without regard to conflict-of-law rules, except where mandatory consumer protections in your country require otherwise. Courts in that jurisdiction have exclusive venue for disputes, subject to those mandatory protections.

If you need jurisdiction-specific legal advice, consult a lawyer. This page is a service agreement summary and not individualized legal counsel.