Preserve the Past.
Pass on the Legacy.

Last Updated: April 8, 2026 | Effective Date: April 8, 2026

1. Introduction

FamilyVault is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

2. Information Officer

Email: info.familyvault@gmail.com
Address: 15 Stockville Road, Gillitts, Durban, 3610, South Africa

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Personal Information

• Email address (authentication)
• Display name
• Profile photo (optional)
• Phone number (optional)
• Date of birth (optional)
• Social media links (optional)

3.2 Content You Upload

• Photos, videos, voice notes
• Family tree information
• Messages to vault members
• Notices and announcements

3.3 Technical Information

• Login timestamps
• Device type (web browser)
• IP address (collected by Firebase)

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to authenticate your account, store and display content in vaults, enable communication with vault members, send notifications, and maintain and improve the service.

We do NOT: sell your data, use your data for advertising, share your content outside your vaults, or track your browsing behaviour.

5. Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored using Google Firebase in the europe-west1 region (Belgium, EU). Security measures include HTTPS encryption, Firebase Authentication, role-based access control, Firestore security rules, and regular updates.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

• ✅ Access — View all your personal information
• ✅ Correction — Update your profile
• ✅ Deletion — Delete your account and data
• ✅ Objection — Object to data processing

7. Children's Privacy

No minimum age requirement (family use). Parents/guardians are responsible for minors. Parental supervision recommended for under 13.

8. Cookies & Tracking

Session cookies only for authentication (Firebase). We do NOT use Google Analytics, advertising cookies, or third-party tracking.

9. Contact

Email: info.familyvault@gmail.com
Response: Within 48 hours
Address: 15 Stockville Road, Gillitts, Durban, 3610, South Africa

Governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, including POPIA.

Last Updated: April 8, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By using FamilyVault, you agree to these Terms of Use.

2. Service Description

FamilyVault is a family memory platform for creating secure vaults, uploading photos/videos/voice notes, sharing with family members, private messaging, and building family trees.

3. Account Registration

3.1 Eligibility

• No minimum age (family use)
• Minors use under parental supervision
• Parents responsible for minors' accounts

3.2 Account Security

• Maintain password confidentiality
• Responsible for all account activity
• Report unauthorised access: info.familyvault@gmail.com

3.3 Account Deletion

• Delete account anytime via Profile
• Immediate and permanent
• Uploaded content may remain visible to vault members

4. Acceptable Use

✅ You MAY: Upload personal family content, organise into vaults and folders, invite family members, message vault members, download content you uploaded.

❌ You MAY NOT: Upload illegal or copyrighted content, harass or threaten users, upload viruses or malware, hack or disrupt the service, impersonate others, use commercially without permission, or scrape data automatically.

5. Content Ownership

You retain all ownership of content you upload. You grant FamilyVault a licence to store and display it within your vaults only. We will NOT use your content for advertising or marketing.

6. Vault Roles

Admin: Full control — invite/remove members, change roles, delete vault, manage all content.
Member: Upload, edit own content, invite (approval needed), view all, message.
Viewer: View-only, react, message, leave vault.

7. Beta Testing Terms

Service provided "AS IS" during beta: no uptime guarantee, features may change, possible bugs. We may request feedback which becomes our property to improve FamilyVault. Service is free during beta.

8. Future Monetisation

Paid tiers with extended storage and premium features are planned. You will receive 10 days notice before paid features activate. A free tier will remain available. Beta testers may receive special benefits.

9. Limitation of Liability

No uninterrupted service guarantee. Not liable for data loss during beta. Maximum liability: amount paid in past 12 months (R0.00 during beta).

10. Contact & Disputes

Email: info.familyvault@gmail.com — contact us before taking legal action.
Governing Law: Republic of South Africa. Jurisdiction: Courts of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.