# VALTSTORAGE PRIVACY POLICY

**Last Updated: April 04, 2025**

## 1. INTRODUCTION AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

1.1 **Privacy Commitment.** Valtstorage (hereinafter referred to as "Valtstorage," "we," "us," or "our") is fundamentally committed to safeguarding user privacy through technological design, operational procedures, and philosophical principles. This Privacy Policy (hereinafter referred to as "Policy") articulates our data practices and the technical measures implemented to protect your privacy in connection with the Valtstorage platform, services, applications, and associated technologies (collectively, the "Service").

1.2 **Policy Application.** This Policy applies to all information collected, processed, stored, or transmitted in connection with your use of the Service. By accessing or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and consent to the data practices described in this Policy.

1.3 **Decentralized Philosophy.** Our approach to privacy is governed by principles of decentralization, user sovereignty, and technological freedom. We believe that:
   (a) Privacy is a fundamental right that should be protected through technical architecture rather than mere policy declarations;
   (b) Users should maintain exclusive control over their data through cryptographic mechanisms;
   (c) Service providers should be technically prevented from accessing user content rather than merely promising not to access it; and
   (d) Distributed systems with appropriate privacy safeguards enhance personal liberty in the digital realm.

1.4 **Interpretive Hierarchy.** In the event of any ambiguity, contradiction, or uncertainty regarding this Policy, such ambiguity shall be resolved through interpretation that maximizes user privacy and minimizes data collection, retention, and centralized control.

## 2. ZERO-KNOWLEDGE ARCHITECTURE

2.1 **Architectural Foundation.** The Service is built upon a comprehensive zero-knowledge technical architecture that incorporates multiple cryptographic and distributed systems technologies to ensure that Valtstorage never possesses the technical capability to access, view, or decrypt user content under any circumstances whatsoever.

2.2 **Client-Side Encryption.** All user content is encrypted on the user's device before transmission, utilizing the following technical measures:
   (a) Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-256) encryption algorithms for symmetric encryption of content;
   (b) RSA-4096 or equivalent asymmetric encryption for secure key exchange where applicable;
   (c) Content-derived encryption keys that never leave the user's device in unencrypted form;
   (d) Cryptographic salting and multiple hashing iterations to protect against rainbow table attacks;
   (e) Encrypted content fragmentation to distribute data across multiple storage nodes; and
   (f) Implementation of forward secrecy protocols to mitigate the impact of potential future key compromises.

2.3 **No Server-Side Decryption Capability.** The Service explicitly does not incorporate, maintain, or utilize any technical mechanism by which Valtstorage could:
   (a) Access or store decryption keys for user content;
   (b) Implement key escrow or key recovery systems for user encryption keys;
   (c) Employ homomorphic encryption that would allow processing of encrypted data without decryption;
   (d) Utilize trusted execution environments or secure enclaves to process decrypted user content; or
   (e) Generate or maintain "master keys" or "backdoors" that could decrypt user content.

2.4 **Technical Verification.** The zero-knowledge architecture incorporates verifiable mechanisms by which users can independently confirm that:
   (a) Content is encrypted on their device before transmission;
   (b) Encryption key management occurs exclusively on the client side;
   (c) The Service cannot technically access or decrypt user content; and
   (d) Open-source components can be audited for compliance with zero-knowledge principles.

2.5 **Encryption Key Management.** All encryption keys are:
   (a) Generated locally on the user's device;
   (b) Never transmitted to Valtstorage in unencrypted form;
   (c) Never stored by Valtstorage in any form that would enable content decryption;
   (d) Secured through appropriate key derivation functions to enhance cryptographic security; and
   (e) Subject to user-controlled key rotation, replacement, or revocation.

2.6 **Evolution of Cryptographic Standards.** As cryptographic technologies, standards, and best practices evolve, Valtstorage may update its encryption implementations to maintain the highest levels of security. Such updates will always adhere to the core zero-knowledge principle that Valtstorage must remain technically incapable of accessing user content.

## 3. INFORMATION WE DO NOT COLLECT

3.1 **Uncollected Content Information.** Due to our decentralized, zero-knowledge architecture, Valtstorage does not and cannot collect the following categories of information:
   (a) The unencrypted content of any files, documents, messages, or other data uploaded, transmitted, or stored through the Service;
   (b) Decryption keys, passwords, or other credentials that would enable access to encrypted user content;
   (c) Plaintext metadata embedded within encrypted files (e.g., EXIF data from images, document properties);
   (d) Search queries executed within encrypted content;
   (e) The specific types, categories, or nature of encrypted content stored by users;
   (f) File names, folder structures, or organizational systems implemented by users within their encrypted storage;
   (g) Versioning information or change history for encrypted content;
   (h) Relationships between different pieces of encrypted content; or
   (i) Any other information that is encrypted as part of user content before transmission to the Service.

3.2 **Uncollected Browsing and Usage Information.** We do not collect:
   (a) Detailed browsing patterns or page-by-page navigation within the Service;
   (b) Keystroke logs, form input data, or cursor movements;
   (c) Screen recordings or snapshots of user interfaces;
   (d) Precise timing data regarding user interactions;
   (e) Inferences about user preferences or characteristics based on Service usage;
   (f) Cross-site tracking information or persistent identifiers that enable tracking across different websites or services;
   (g) Device fingerprinting information used to uniquely identify devices; or
   (h) Location data beyond the generalized location associated with IP addresses.

3.3 **Uncollected Personal Information.** We do not collect the following personal information:
   (a) Legal name or personal identifiers beyond basic account credentials;
   (b) Physical address or precise geolocation;
   (c) Personal contact information beyond account-related email addresses;
   (d) Demographic information such as age, gender, race, or ethnicity;
   (e) Employment, education, or financial information;
   (f) Government-issued identification numbers or equivalent personal identifiers;
   (g) Biometric data or physical characteristics;
   (h) Health, medical, or genetic information; or
   (i) Information about political opinions, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or philosophical convictions.

3.4 **Technical Incapability.** The aforementioned categories of information remain uncollected not merely as a matter of policy but as a direct consequence of the Service's technical architecture, which renders Valtstorage incapable of collecting such information even if it desired to do so or was compelled by external entities.

## 4. LIMITED INFORMATION COLLECTION

4.1 **Minimalist Data Collection Philosophy.** In accordance with principles of data minimization and privacy by design, Valtstorage collects only the minimal information technically necessary to provide, maintain, and improve the Service. All data collection is subject to strict technical and procedural limitations.

4.2 **Account Information.** For registered users, we may collect:
   (a) Email address, used exclusively for account management, security notifications, and Service-related communications;
   (b) Username or account identifier, which may be pseudonymous and does not require use of real names;
   (c) Public cryptographic keys and associated cryptographic parameters necessary for secure communication with the Service; and
   (d) Account preferences and configurations that affect Service functionality.

4.3 **Transactional Information.** For paid features of the Service, we may collect:
   (a) Payment timestamps indicating when transactions occurred;
   (b) Subscription types, purchase amounts, and related non-identifying transaction information;
   (c) Payment information processed exclusively through third-party payment processors, with Valtstorage maintaining only tokenized transaction identifiers; and
   (d) Billing information required for transaction processing and fraud prevention.

4.4 **Technical Operating Information.** We may collect limited technical information for Service operations and security, including:
   (a) IP addresses, temporarily stored and used exclusively for security monitoring, abuse prevention, and technical troubleshooting;
   (b) User agent strings and basic device information necessary for optimizing Service delivery;
   (c) Timestamps of authentication events (login, logout, password reset);
   (d) Encrypted file size, storage allocation metrics, and bandwidth usage statistics (without relation to specific file content);
   (e) Service error logs containing non-identifying technical failure information; and
   (f) Anonymous, aggregated performance metrics regarding Service operation.

4.5 **Technical Limitations on Collection.** All information collection is subject to the following technical limitations:
   (a) No persistent trackers or cookies beyond those technically necessary for basic Service functionality;
   (b) No cross-service tracking or correlation between Valtstorage and third-party services;
   (c) Automatic deletion or anonymization of technical data after it is no longer required for operational purposes;
   (d) No consolidation of usage data into user profiles or behavioral models; and
   (e) No enrichment of collected data with information from external sources or third-party providers.

## 5. NO DATA SHARING POLICY

5.1 **Fundamental Non-Disclosure Principle.** Valtstorage does not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise voluntarily disclose user information to any third party for commercial, marketing, advertising, research, or any other revenue-generating or non-Service-related purpose.

5.2 **No Third-Party Data Transfers.** We do not engage in the following data sharing practices:
   (a) Selling or renting user information to data brokers, advertisers, or marketing companies;
   (b) Sharing user information with affiliated companies for their independent use;
   (c) Exchanging user information with other services or platforms;
   (d) Contributing user information to industry-wide data pools or information-sharing cooperatives;
   (e) Transferring user information as an asset during corporate transactions, except where the acquiring entity commits to equivalent privacy protections;
   (f) Disclosing user information to analytics providers beyond aggregated, anonymized statistical information; or
   (g) Allowing third-party access to user information for purposes unrelated to the provision of the Service.

5.3 **Limited Service Providers.** We engage a minimal number of third-party service providers who perform functions necessary for Service operations, such as payment processing and infrastructure support. These service providers:
   (a) Receive only the minimal information necessary to perform their specific function;
   (b) Are contractually prohibited from using the information for any purpose beyond the specific function;
   (c) Implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures;
   (d) Do not receive any access to encrypted user content or decryption keys; and
   (e) Are prohibited from retaining information beyond the period necessary for their function.

5.4 **Response to Legal Demands.** Valtstorage operates under principles of user privacy and digital sovereignty. With respect to governmental requests for information:
   (a) Due to our technical architecture, we are physically incapable of providing decrypted user content or encryption keys in response to any demand, regardless of its legal validity or source;
   (b) We believe in freedom of digital expression and the right to privacy through technological means;
   (c) We may challenge overbroad or inappropriate requests to the extent permissible;
   (d) In the event of a legally valid and enforceable request for non-content information that we technically possess, we will make reasonable efforts to limit disclosure to the minimum information technically available; and
   (e) We will notify affected users of requests for their information unless legally prohibited from doing so.

5.5 **Technical Limitations on Sharing.** Beyond policy commitments, the decentralized architecture of the Service incorporates technical limitations that prevent unintended or compelled data sharing:
   (a) Encrypted user content is distributed across multiple storage nodes, preventing comprehensive data assembly by any single node operator;
   (b) Authentication systems are segregated from content storage systems, preventing correlation of identity to specific encrypted content;
   (c) Cryptographic protocols prevent Valtstorage from accessing user content even if attempted; and
   (d) Minimal data collection practices ensure limited information is available for potential disclosure in the first place.

## 6. TECHNICAL SAFEGUARDS

6.1 **Comprehensive Security Architecture.** The Service implements multiple layers of technical safeguards to protect user information and maintain the integrity of the zero-knowledge architecture:

6.2 **Encryption Technologies.** The Service employs multiple encryption methodologies:
   (a) AES-256 encryption for all user content before transmission from the user's device;
   (b) TLS 1.3 or higher for all data transmission between user devices and the Service;
   (c) End-to-end encryption ensuring that decryption can occur only on authorized user devices;
   (d) Cryptographic signatures to verify data integrity and authenticity;
   (e) Key derivation functions with appropriate iteration counts and memory-hardness to protect against brute force attacks;
   (f) Salt and nonce generation for each encryption operation to prevent pattern analysis; and
   (g) Regular updates to cryptographic implementations to address evolving security standards.

6.3 **Distributed Storage Architecture.** User content is protected through distributed storage techniques:
   (a) Content is cryptographically fragmented before distribution across the network;
   (b) Redundant storage ensures availability even if individual nodes become unavailable;
   (c) Geographic distribution of storage nodes enhances resilience against localized events;
   (d) Erasure coding techniques maximize data durability while maintaining privacy;
   (e) Content addressing using cryptographic hashes rather than semantic identifiers; and
   (f) Node diversity to prevent dependency on any single infrastructure provider.

6.4 **Access Controls and Authentication.** The Service implements robust access management:
   (a) Multi-factor authentication options for account access;
   (b) Cryptographic verification of access credentials;
   (c) Session management with appropriate timeouts and revocation mechanisms;
   (d) Principle of least privilege for system operations and maintenance;
   (e) Separation of authentication systems from content storage systems; and
   (f) Immutable audit logs for security-relevant system events.

6.5 **Infrastructure Security.** The underlying infrastructure incorporates:
   (a) Network segmentation and traffic filtering;
   (b) Regular security assessments and penetration testing;
   (c) Automated vulnerability scanning and remediation;
   (d) Distributed denial of service (DDoS) mitigation capabilities;
   (e) System hardening and removal of unnecessary services and components; and
   (f) Redundant systems to maintain availability during security events.

6.6 **Continuous Security Evolution.** Security measures are continuously evaluated and enhanced:
   (a) Regular review of emerging threats and vulnerabilities;
   (b) Proactive updates to address evolving attack methodologies;
   (c) Engagement with security researchers and implementation of responsible disclosure processes;
   (d) Ongoing development of privacy-enhancing technologies; and
   (e) Integration of new cryptographic advancements as they become standardized and validated.

## 7. DATA RETENTION AND DELETION

7.1 **Minimal Retention Policy.** Valtstorage adheres to a policy of minimal data retention, maintaining information only for the period necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected or as required for essential Service operations.

7.2 **Retention Periods.** Specific retention periods apply to different categories of information:
   (a) Account information is retained for the duration of the account's active status, plus a limited period following account closure to address any outstanding issues;
   (b) Payment and transaction records are retained as required for financial record-keeping and compliance purposes;
   (c) IP addresses and similar technical identifiers are retained only temporarily for security monitoring and abuse prevention;
   (d) Service logs containing technical operational data are retained for a limited period sufficient for troubleshooting and security analysis; and
   (e) Encrypted user content is retained until explicitly deleted by the user or as specified in Service terms.

7.3 **Deletion Mechanisms.** When data is deleted, Valtstorage employs technical measures to ensure appropriate removal:
   (a) Upon user request for content deletion, pointers to encrypted content are removed promptly;
   (b) Distributed storage systems initiate garbage collection processes to reclaim storage allocated to deleted content;
   (c) Due to the distributed nature of the Service, complete propagation of deletion instructions across all storage nodes may require some time;
   (d) Backup systems incorporate mechanisms to respect deletion instructions during restoration processes; and
   (e) Anonymization techniques are applied to data retained for statistical or analytical purposes.

7.4 **Technical Limitations on Deletion.** Users acknowledge the following technical limitations regarding data deletion in decentralized systems:
   (a) Due to the distributed nature of the storage network, complete verification of deletion across all nodes cannot be technically guaranteed;
   (b) Redundant copies maintained for availability purposes may require additional time for complete removal;
   (c) Storage nodes that are temporarily offline during deletion operations may retain copies until they reconnect to the network;
   (d) Cryptographic fragmentation means that individual fragments remain encrypted and contextless even if not immediately deleted; and
   (e) The immutable nature of certain distributed ledger technologies may retain transaction metadata even after content deletion.

7.5 **Account Closure.** Upon account closure:
   (a) Associated encrypted content becomes inaccessible and is marked for deletion;
   (b) Account information is retained only as necessary for legitimate business purposes (e.g., financial records);
   (c) Any retained information is segregated from active user data; and
   (d) Automated processes ensure eventual complete removal of account-related information subject to the technical limitations described above.

## 8. USER RIGHTS AND CONTROLS

8.1 **Fundamental Control Principle.** The Service is designed to provide users with maximal technical control over their information, independent of specific legal regimes or jurisdictional requirements.

8.2 **Technical Access and Control.** Users have direct technical capabilities to:
   (a) Access their encrypted content through appropriate authentication;
   (b) Download their content in encrypted or decrypted form;
   (c) Modify or update their content at any time;
   (d) Delete their content from the Service;
   (e) Control sharing and access permissions for their content; and
   (f) Implement additional encryption layers beyond those provided by the Service.

8.3 **Account Information.** Users can:
   (a) Update their email address and other account information;
   (b) Change authentication credentials;
   (c) Enable or disable additional security features;
   (d) View transaction and payment history; and
   (e) Close their account entirely.

8.4 **Technical Implementation of Rights.** Rather than relying on manual processes or policy declarations, user rights are implemented through technical mechanisms that:
   (a) Provide direct user control without requiring intermediation by Valtstorage personnel;
   (b) Function consistently regardless of jurisdictional location;
   (c) Operate according to cryptographic principles rather than administrative policies; and
   (d) Empower users with capabilities that cannot be unilaterally revoked or diminished by Valtstorage.

8.5 **Limitation on Rights Enforcement.** The exercise of certain rights may be limited by:
   (a) Technical constraints inherent in decentralized systems;
   (b) The need to maintain system integrity and security;
   (c) The requirements of basic Service functionality; and
   (d) The rights and freedoms of other users.

## 9. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES AND LINKS

9.1 **Independence of Third Parties.** The Service may include links to or integrations with third-party websites, services, or products that operate independently from Valtstorage. These third parties have their own privacy practices and policies over which Valtstorage exercises no control.

9.2 **Limited Integrations.** Where the Service integrates with third-party services:
   (a) Such integrations are implemented only where necessary for core Service functionality;
   (b) Information shared with third parties is limited to the minimum necessary for the specific function;
   (c) Users are notified of significant third-party data access during the integration process; and
   (d) Integrations are designed to prevent unauthorized access to encrypted user content.

9.3 **Payment Processors.** Payment information for premium features is processed by established third-party payment processors who:
   (a) Receive only the information necessary for transaction processing;
   (b) Are contractually prohibited from using payment information for other purposes;
   (c) Implement industry-standard security measures for financial data protection; and
   (d) Operate in compliance with applicable payment card industry standards.

9.4 **Infrastructure Providers.** The distributed nature of the Service utilizes infrastructure from multiple providers who:
   (a) Receive only encrypted, fragmented user content without decryption capabilities;
   (b) Lack access to user account information beyond technical identifiers;
   (c) Cannot correlate storage fragments to specific users or content; and
   (d) Are selected based in part on their commitment to privacy and security.

9.5 **User Responsibility.** Users accessing third-party services through links or integrations provided by the Service do so at their own risk and subject to the respective privacy policies of those third parties. Valtstorage encourages users to review the privacy policies of any third-party service before use.

## 10. INTERNATIONAL DATA CONSIDERATIONS

10.1 **Global Decentralized Network.** The Service operates on a global, decentralized network of storage nodes that may span multiple jurisdictions. Accordingly:
   (a) Encrypted user content may be stored on nodes located in various countries or regions;
   (b) The specific location of any particular fragment of encrypted content is determined algorithmically rather than by manual designation;
   (c) Content may be automatically redistributed across different nodes based on technical factors such as availability, latency, and network conditions; and
   (d) Users' encrypted content may cross international boundaries during normal Service operations.

10.2 **Privacy Protection Through Technology.** Rather than relying on jurisdiction-specific legal protections, user privacy is protected primarily through technological measures including:
   (a) Encryption that renders content unintelligible without the appropriate keys;
   (b) Fragmentation that prevents assembly of complete content without proper authorization;
   (c) Zero-knowledge architecture that technically prevents Valtstorage from accessing user content regardless of its physical location; and
   (d) Distributed storage that prevents any single jurisdiction from gaining complete access to user content.

10.3 **Jurisdictional Independence.** The decentralized nature of the Service is specifically designed to:
   (a) Operate independently of traditional jurisdictional boundaries;
   (b) Maintain consistent privacy protections regardless of geographic location;
   (c) Minimize dependence on jurisdiction-specific privacy regulations that may change over time; and
   (d) Resist localized attempts to compromise user privacy through technical rather than merely legal means.

## 11. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

11.1 **Age Limitations.** The Service is not directed to children under the age of 16, and Valtstorage does not knowingly collect information from children under 16 years of age.

11.2 **Technical Measures.** Valtstorage implements reasonable technical measures to prevent the creation of accounts by individuals under the applicable age threshold, which may include:
   (a) Age verification prompts during account creation;
   (b) Review of accounts suspected of being created by underage users; and
   (c) Prompt deletion of accounts determined to belong to underage users.

11.3 **Parental Rights.** Parents or legal guardians who believe that a child under the applicable age threshold has provided personal information to the Service may contact Valtstorage to request deletion of such information.

## 12. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

12.1 **Policy Evolution.** This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in our practices, Service functionality, technological advancements, or legal requirements. Such updates will never diminish the fundamental zero-knowledge architecture or privacy safeguards of the Service.

12.2 **Notification of Changes.** Material changes to this Policy will be communicated through:
   (a) Prominent notices on the Service;
   (b) Email notifications to registered users;
   (c) Service update announcements; and/or
   (d) Other appropriate channels.

12.3 **Prior Versions.** Previous versions of this Policy will be archived and made available upon request for user reference.

12.4 **Consent to Changes.** Continued use of the Service following the posting of changes to this Policy constitutes acceptance of those changes. Users who do not agree with the modified terms should discontinue use of the Service.

## 13. CONTACT INFORMATION

13.1 **Privacy Inquiries.** Questions or comments regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices may be directed to:
   (a) Email: [Contact Email]
   (b) Secure messaging: Available through the Service interface for registered users
   (c) Other contact channels as may be specified on the Service website

13.2 **Response Timeframe.** Valtstorage will make reasonable efforts to respond to legitimate privacy inquiries within a reasonable timeframe, typically not exceeding 30 days from receipt.

## 14. USER AUTONOMY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

14.1 **User Sovereignty.** The Service is fundamentally designed to empower users with direct control over their digital content through technological means rather than policy declarations or legal agreements. This technological sovereignty includes:
   (a) Exclusive possession and control of encryption keys;
   (b) Direct technical capability to encrypt, decrypt, share, and delete content;
   (c) Freedom from service provider access to or interference with user content; and
   (d) Independence from centralized monitoring or content oversight.

14.2 **Personal Responsibility.** With technological sovereignty comes personal responsibility. Users acknowledge that:
   (a) Loss of encryption keys will result in permanent inaccessibility of encrypted content with no recovery option;
   (b) Security of encryption keys and access credentials is ultimately the user's responsibility;
   (c) Freedom from provider oversight means users must exercise appropriate judgment regarding their content and conduct; and
   (d) Technical limitations of decentralized systems may affect specific privacy expectations in limited circumstances.

14.3 **Digital Autonomy.** Valtstorage was created to advance principles of digital autonomy, whereby:
   (a) Individuals maintain control over their digital content and communications;
   (b) Technological safeguards protect privacy more reliably than policy declarations;
   (c) Decentralized architectures distribute power away from centralized authorities; and
   (d) Users are empowered to exercise their digital freedoms responsibly.

By using Valtstorage, you acknowledge and accept the practices described in this Privacy Policy.