Private Vault
Who this is for: anyone storing personal files or notes in Buzzio’s encrypted locker (separate from chat backup and Premium).
What it is
Private Vault is an optional personal encrypted file locker inside the app. Files, thumbnails, filenames, captions, and other display metadata are encrypted on your device before upload.
At setup, you choose one of two account-scoped unlock methods:
- Seed-level account encryption: Buzzio derives a dedicated Vault wrapping key locally from the account master key behind your 12-word phrase. The derivation is domain-separated from backup and messaging keys. There is no extra Vault key to record.
- Separate recovery key: create or import a 64-character Vault recovery key that you control.
Each uploaded file uses a random file key. That file key and readable metadata are protected by your selected Vault wrapping key. Buzzio stores ciphertext and cannot derive either unlock method from your Buzzio ID.
It is not interchangeable with:
| Product | Difference |
|---|---|
| Encrypted cloud backup | Restores chat / account history — Account and backup |
| Buzzio Premium | Subscription perks / create limits — Premium and quotas |
| Rocket Drop / Transfer | Large file send fuel in chats |
How to use
- Open Vault from the app (profile / tools entry as shipped).
- Choose how to lock it: seed-level account encryption from your 12-word phrase (no extra key) or a 64-character Vault recovery key. If you use a separate key, store it offline.
- Upload files or notes; unlock locally to read, star, or organize.
- Upgrade plan from the Vault plans sheet when you need more quota.
Losing the phrase or recovery key you chose + every device that can still unlock the Vault ⇒ permanent lockout of Vault contents. This is intentional for the non-custodial design.
Plans and quotas
In-app labels (store listings are authoritative for price):
| Plan | Quota | Listed price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 20 MB | $0 |
| Standard | 25 GB | $2.99 / month · $34.09 / year |
| Pro | 50 GB | $4.99 / month · $53.89 / year |
| Elite | 100 GB | $8.99 / month · $97.09 / year |
Cancel in Google Play or Apple Subscriptions. After a paid plan expires, Vault files are kept about 3 days, then permanently deleted from Buzzio servers if you do not renew.
Privacy strip
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Staff can unlock Vault | No without your phrase-derived account key or separate recovery key |
| Buzzio receives the 12-word phrase | No — the Vault wrapping key is derived locally |
| Vault and backup reuse one key | No — seed-derived wrapping keys use separate domain labels |
| Content sold / ads | No |
| Same as sealed chat E2EE transcript | Vault is a storage product, not a sealed conversation |
| Same SKU as chat backup | No — separate product |
Limits and troubleshooting
| Symptom | Try |
|---|---|
| Upload blocked | Quota full — free up space or upgrade |
| Cannot unlock | Wrong recovery key; Buzzio cannot reset it |
| Files gone after plan lapsed | Past the ~3-day post-expiry window — not recoverable by staff |
Troubleshooting · Premium and quotas