Frequently Asked Questions About Secure Self-Destructing Notes

Self-destructing notes provide superior security protection through multiple layers of defense:

• AES-256 Military Encryption: Same standard used by banks and governments worldwide
• Automatic Deletion: Messages permanently delete after reading or expiration
• Zero-Knowledge Architecture: We never have access to your unencrypted content
• No Data Retention: Unlike regular apps, we don’t store your messages long-term
• Anonymous Usage: No registration or personal information required

While apps like WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption, they still store metadata and don’t provide automatic message destruction. Privnotepad ensures complete data privacy with no digital footprint left behind.

No, deleted messages cannot be recovered by anyone – not even by Privnotepad staff or through legal requests. Here’s why:

• Cryptographic Key Destruction: Encryption keys are destroyed immediately after deletion
• Secure Erasure Protocols: Multiple overwrite processes ensure complete data removal
• No Backup Retention: We don’t maintain backups of deleted messages
• Zero-Knowledge Design: We never have access to decryption keys

This security architecture ensures complete privacy protection but also means users should be certain before sending confidential information as recovery is impossible once deleted.

Privnotepad employs AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard) with 256-bit key length, which is:

• Military-Grade: Approved by NSA for top-secret information
• Bank-Level Security: Used by financial institutions worldwide
• Quantum-Resistant: Secure against foreseeable quantum computing attacks
• Industry Standard: Recognized as the strongest symmetric encryption available

Additional security features include:

• End-to-End Encryption: Messages encrypted before leaving your device
• Perfect Forward Secrecy: Unique encryption keys for each message
• TLS 1.3 Protection: Secure transmission between your device and our servers

The “burn after reading” feature operates through a sophisticated technical process:

1. Client-Side Encryption: Your message is encrypted in your browser before transmission
2. Unique Key Generation: A one-time encryption key is created for each message
3. Single-View Authentication: System tracks if the message has been accessed
4. Automatic Key Destruction: Encryption key is permanently deleted after first view
5. Message Invalidation: The encrypted message becomes inaccessible without its key
6. Secure Server Deletion: Remaining encrypted fragments are removed from servers

This multi-layered approach ensures that even if someone intercepts the encrypted data, they cannot decrypt it without the destroyed key.

No registration or account creation is required to use Privnotepad. This is a core part of our privacy-first approach:

• Immediate Access: Start sending encrypted messages immediately
• Complete Anonymity: No email, phone number, or personal info needed
• No Data Collection: We don’t track who uses our service
• Session-Based: Each note creation is completely independent

This no-registration model ensures maximum privacy protection but also means you should save any important secure links as there’s no account to retrieve them from.

Privnotepad offers flexible expiration timer options to suit different secure communication needs:

You can also choose “Burn After Reading” for immediate deletion upon first view, providing maximum security protection for highly confidential information.

Currently, Privnotepad supports text-based secure messages only. However, we’re working on secure file sharing features with the same encryption standards and auto-delete functionality.

For now, you can:

• Share file contents by copying and pasting text
• Use secure links to cloud storage with temporary access
• Share password-protected archives with the password sent separately
• Utilize base64 encoding for small file transfers

Our upcoming file sharing feature will include:

• End-to-End Encrypted file transfers
• Auto-Delete for both messages and attachments
• Size limits appropriate for secure communication
• Virus scanning for added security protection

Our read receipt system provides notification when your secure message has been accessed, while maintaining privacy protection:

1. Anonymous Tracking: We track message access without identifying the viewer
2. One-Time Notification: You receive a single notification when first accessed
3. No Continuous Monitoring: We don’t track subsequent views or sharing
4. Optional Feature: Read receipts can be disabled if preferred

Important Privacy Notes:

• We never reveal who viewed the message
• We don’t track IP addresses or location data
• Read receipts don’t indicate if the message was actually read, just accessed
• Notifications are one-way only – viewers don’t know you’re notified

Yes, Privnotepad is designed with GDPR compliance in mind, particularly through these features:

• Right to be Forgotten: Automatic message deletion fulfills this requirement
• Data Minimization: We collect minimal operational data only
• Purpose Limitation: Data is used solely for providing the service
• Storage Limitation: Messages are automatically deleted after expiration
• Security by Design: Encryption and protection built into the platform

Important Considerations for Businesses:

• Companies should conduct their own GDPR compliance assessment
• Consider Data Processing Agreements for enterprise use
• Maintain internal data protection policies alongside tool usage
• Document secure communication procedures for compliance audits

Privnotepad can be suitable for HIPAA-compliant communications when used appropriately, but with important considerations:

Features Supporting HIPAA Compliance:

• End-to-End Encryption: Protects Protected Health Information (PHI) in transit
• Automatic Deletion: Helps with data retention requirements
• Access Controls: Optional password protection adds security layers
• Audit Capabilities: Read receipts provide access tracking

Required Additional Measures:

• Business Associate Agreement (BAA): May be required for covered entities
• Risk Assessment: Regular security evaluations
• Staff Training: Proper usage protocols
• Incident Response Plan: Breach notification procedures

Privnotepad follows a privacy-first, minimal data collection policy:

What We DO Collect:

• Operational Metrics: Anonymous usage statistics for service improvement
• Security Logs: Minimal logs for abuse prevention and security monitoring
• Performance Data: Anonymous data to optimize service speed and reliability

What We DO NOT Collect:

• Message Content: Your encrypted messages are inaccessible to us
• Personal Information: No names, emails, or identifying data
• IP Addresses: We don’t track or log IP addresses
• Location Data: No geolocation information collected
• Metadata: Minimal metadata retained, automatically deleted

Data Usage Policy:

• Service Improvement: Anonymous data helps improve reliability
• Security Protection: Logs help prevent abuse and attacks
• No Selling: We never sell or share data with third parties
• No Advertising: No targeted ads or marketing profiles