PrivateVault Privacy Policy

Free edition · Last updated: October 16, 2026

Table of Contents

Overview

PrivateVault (Free) is an offline encrypted file vault for Android, published by Privatepappain. The vault encrypts and stores the files you import locally on your device. The Free edition is supported by ads, so it uses network access only to deliver those ads — never to upload, sync, or back up your vault contents. If you prefer an edition with no ads and no network permission at all, see PrivateVault PRO.

Data Collection

PrivateVault does not collect your vault contents, passwords, or encryption keys, and runs no analytics or tracking SDKs of its own. The only data that leaves your device is advertising data handled by Google AdMob.

To deliver ads, AdMob may collect your device's advertising ID, approximate (coarse) location derived from your IP address, and limited device and ad-interaction information, and shares this with Google. The app requests non-personalized ads by default. This advertising data is unrelated to, and separate from, your vault.

PrivateVault does not collect:

  • Photos, videos, audio, or documents stored in your vault
  • Vault passwords or encryption keys
  • Contacts, messages, or call logs
  • Precise location
  • Behavioral analytics or usage tracking

Permissions & File Access

PrivateVault requests only the permissions needed for the features you use:

  • File and folder import uses Android's Storage Access Framework (the system document/folder picker), so no broad media or storage read permissions are requested.
  • CAMERA and microphone are requested only if you choose an in-app capture feature.
  • INTERNET and network-state access are used solely to deliver ads.

Your encrypted vault contents are never transmitted. Network access is used only to load ads.

How Data Is Used

Files you select are used locally to provide vault features, including encryption, decryption, local preview, local thumbnails, local search, export, sharing, and organization. Vault data is never sent to the developer or to any server. The only information that leaves your device is the advertising data described above, used by Google to deliver ads, limit how often you see them, and prevent fraud.

Advertising (Google AdMob)

PrivateVault (Free) shows ads through Google AdMob to support development. The app requests non-personalized ads. For users in the European Economic Area, the UK, and Switzerland, a Google consent message (via Google's User Messaging Platform) is presented before ads are served. You can limit ad personalization at any time in your device's Google settings (Ads), and choosing PrivateVault PRO removes ads entirely.

Sharing & Disclosure

We never share your vault contents with third parties. Files leave the app only when you explicitly export or share decrypted files using your device's storage picker or the Android share sheet.

PrivateVault (Free) shares advertising data (advertising ID, coarse IP-based location, and ad-interaction data) with Google to deliver ads. See Google's Privacy Policy and how Google uses data from apps that use its services.

Security

The app uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption applied in secure modes such as AES-GCM, providing both confidentiality and integrity. Encryption keys are derived locally using hardened key derivation functions such as PBKDF2 or Argon2, with salting and multiple iterations to resist brute-force and dictionary attacks. All encryption, decryption, and key storage happen entirely on your device. Additional layers include secure vault sessions, protected previews, screenshot blocking on sensitive screens, and temporary file cleanup.

Children's Privacy

PrivateVault is not directed to children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Data Safety Summary

  • Data sold: No
  • Vault contents shared: No — never transmitted off your device
  • Data collected by developer servers: No
  • Cloud sync of vault: None
  • Ads: Google AdMob; advertising identifiers shared with Google for ad delivery