ChatVault docs
Privacy & permissions
Understand which parts of the workflow are local and why the extension needs browser permissions.
Understand the local archive workflow
ChatVault processes the selected conversation in your browser and packages the result for download to your device. Its export workflow does not upload a chat transcript to the ChatVault website for archiving.
Local processing still uses the existing WhatsApp Web session and network requests needed to obtain accessible media. License activation also contacts a license service. Keep those distinct from sending conversation contents to a separate archive server.
Read the requested permissions
The extension uses downloads to save the finished ZIP, storage for its local configuration, and scripting to work with the WhatsApp Web page. Review the browser’s actual installation prompt for the permissions in your installed version.
Host access covers WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp-related media delivery domains and the license service. If site access is restricted, the export or attachment retrieval can fail even when the popup itself opens.
| Permission or access | Purpose in the workflow |
|---|---|
| downloads | Save the generated archive to your device |
| storage | Keep extension preferences and activation state locally |
| scripting | Interact with the supported WhatsApp Web page |
| WhatsApp and media domains | Read the web session and retrieve accessible attachments |
| License service | Check activation information |
Protect the downloaded files
A ZIP archive is not automatically password-protected or encrypted by being a ZIP. Treat the exported transcript and attachments as sensitive copies of the original conversation.
Choose storage and sharing permissions appropriate to the people and information in the chat. Keep an original archive and a verified reading copy, and use protected storage when you need additional access controls.
Share only what is needed for troubleshooting
Most support questions can start with the browser version, extension version, chosen format, covered dates and error text. Do not attach a whole conversation or an unredacted screenshot just to describe a loading problem.
If you need to show a specific export issue, use a small example and remove unrelated private details. Keep your license key and WhatsApp sign-in information out of the general contact form.