Welcome to ArkVault. By using our service, you agree to these terms. Please read them carefully.

1. Service Description

ArkVault provides a zero-knowledge encrypted vault service with a built-in failsafe timer. Users can store encrypted secrets that are automatically released to designated trusted contacts after a period of inactivity. All encryption and decryption occurs on your device — our servers only store encrypted data that we cannot read.

2. Account Registration

You must provide a valid email address and create a password to register. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials. You must be at least 18 years old to use this service.

3. Zero-Knowledge Architecture

ArkVault operates on a zero-knowledge architecture. Your secrets are encrypted on your device before being transmitted to our servers. We cannot access, read, or decrypt your vault contents. This means we cannot assist with data recovery if you lose your encryption keys. This is a fundamental design feature, not a limitation.

4. Recovery Keys & Data Loss

When you create a vault, a unique Recovery Key is generated. This key is the only way to decrypt your vault contents. ArkVault does not store, have access to, or have the ability to regenerate your Recovery Key. If you lose your Recovery Key, your encrypted data is permanently and irrecoverably lost. ArkVault bears no responsibility for data loss resulting from lost keys.

5. Failsafe Timer & Vault Release

Your vault includes a failsafe timer that requires periodic check-ins. If you fail to check in within your configured interval, your vault status will change and your trusted contacts will be notified. Once the inactivity period expires, your trusted contacts can use their Recovery Key to decrypt the vault contents. You will receive multiple email reminders before the timer expires.

6. Trusted Contacts

You may designate one or more trusted contacts who will receive notification emails and be able to recover your vault if the failsafe timer expires. You are solely responsible for choosing trustworthy individuals and securely sharing the Recovery Key with them. ArkVault is not responsible for any actions taken by your trusted contacts.

7. Vault Destruction

After a trusted contact recovers a vault, a 14-day destruction countdown begins. At the end of this period, the vault and all associated encrypted data are permanently deleted from our servers. This process is irreversible. Vault deletion can also be requested by contacting our support team.

8. Payments & Billing

Vault creation may require a one-time payment. Payments are processed securely through Stripe. If the vault owner has not paid, the trusted contact may be asked to pay a fee to unlock the vault at recovery time. All payments are non-refundable once a vault has been created and encrypted data has been stored.

9. Prohibited Uses

You may not use ArkVault for any illegal purpose, to store illegal content, to harass or harm others, to attempt to circumvent our security measures, or to interfere with the service's operation. We reserve the right to terminate accounts that violate these terms.

10. Limitation of Liability

ArkVault is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. To the maximum extent permitted by law, ArkVault shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profits, or damages resulting from the inability to access vault contents. Our total liability is limited to the amount you paid for the service.

11. Modifications

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. We will notify registered users of material changes via email. Your continued use of the service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

12. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at support@arkvault.app.