Privacy Policy for WhatsApp chat backup
Privacy Policy for WhatsApp chat backup
Privacy Policy for WhatsApp chat backup
**Effective Date:** August 10, 2026
At ChatVault, we value your privacy above all else. This Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the information we collect, process, and store when you install and use the ChatVault Chrome Extension (the "Extension").
Please read this document carefully to understand our commitment to your data privacy. By installing and using the Extension, you agree to the practices described in this policy.
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## 1. Local-First Architecture (No Data Collection)
ChatVault is designed with a **strict local-first architecture**.
* **No Server-Side Tracking:** We do not own, operate, or maintain any databases or servers that collect your personal data or communications.
* **On-Device Processing:** All data extraction, message formatting (HTML, CSV, JSON, XLSX), and media packaging (ZIP files) are executed 100% locally within your browser context on your own device.
* **No Transmission of Personal Data:** None of your WhatsApp chats, contact lists, phone numbers, reactions, or files are ever sent, uploaded, or transmitted over the internet to us or any third party.
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## 2. Information We Access and Process
To function, the Extension accesses specific types of data. Here is exactly how we handle them:
### A. Personal Communications (WhatsApp Chat Logs & Media)
* **What we access:** Message text, sender names, phone numbers, timestamps, reactions, and media files (images, audio, videos, documents) from your WhatsApp Web session.
* **Purpose:** To compile, format, and package them into backups at your explicit request.
* **Storage:** This data is only loaded into the temporary memory of your browser during the export process. Once the export is finished and the ZIP file is saved to your computer, the data is cleared from the extension's memory. It is never stored by the Extension.
### B. Licensing and Purchase Information
* **What we collect:** Your Gumroad license key and the email address associated with your purchase.
* **Purpose:** To verify your purchase status and unlock premium capabilities (e.g., unlimited messages, batch exports, and media downloads).
* **Transmission:** When you activate your license, this key is sent securely via HTTPS (SSL) to the official Gumroad API (`https://api.gumroad.com`) for verification.
* **Storage:** The verified status and license details are saved locally in the Extension’s secure local storage (`chrome.storage.local`) on your device.
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## 3. Explanation of Browser Permissions
To provide its core backup utility, ChatVault requires the following permissions. We only request permissions that are essential to the Extension's single purpose:
* **`storage`:** Allows the Extension to save your configurations (like default export format, date range options, and license activation details) locally on your device.
* **`sidePanel`:** Used to display the ChatVault controls, chats, and progress bars directly inside Chrome's side panel for a clean user interface.
* **`tabs`:** Used to determine if the active tab is WhatsApp Web and to communicate between the side panel and the content script. It is also used to navigate you back to your WhatsApp Web tab when requested.
* **Host Permission (`https://web.whatsapp.com/*`):** Required to inject the content script that interfaces with the WhatsApp Web application to retrieve your chat history for local backup.
* **Host Permission (`https://api.gumroad.com/*`):** Required to allow the Extension to communicate directly with Gumroad to confirm your premium license status.
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## 4. Third-Party Services
We do not share any user data with third-party service providers, with the sole exception of our merchant processor:
* **Gumroad:** When purchasing a license key and validating it, your transaction data and license details are processed by Gumroad. You can read their privacy practices at [Gumroad's Privacy Policy](https://gumroad.com/privacy).
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## 5. Security of Your Data
Because all data processing occurs locally on your device, the security of your backup files depends on your device's security. We recommend keeping your operating system and web browser updated to the latest versions and securing your computer with strong passwords to protect your downloaded chat archives.
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## 6. Regulatory Compliance
### GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) Compliance
Under the GDPR, we are not a "Data Controller" for your WhatsApp chats, as we do not collect or determine the purposes of processing your personal data. All processing is done locally by you. For licensing data, we do not store email lists or transaction records on our own servers. Gumroad acts as the payment processor and merchant of record.
### CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) Compliance
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We do not collect identifiers or commercial information other than verifying the license key you purchase.
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## 7. Children's Privacy
Our Extension is not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take necessary actions.
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## 8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or browser extension requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date." We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
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## 9. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding this Privacy Policy or the data practices of ChatVault, please feel free to contact us:
Support Email: - hritikkumarkota@gmail.com