Your Financial Privacy is Our Priority
Desktop-only architecture means your sensitive data never leaves your computer
The Privacy Problem with Cloud Tax Software
What Happens to Your Data in Cloud Solutions?
- ⚠️ Uploaded to Remote Servers - Your complete transaction history stored on third-party systems
- ⚠️ Shared with Partners - Data may be shared with analytics, marketing, or other service providers
- ⚠️ Subject to Breaches - Centralized data stores are high-value targets for hackers
- ⚠️ Government Access - Cloud data may be subject to government data requests
- ⚠️ Permanent Storage - Your data remains on their servers indefinitely
Why This Matters for Cryptocurrency Users
Cryptocurrency transactions reveal:
- 🔓 Complete Trading History - Every buy, sell, and transfer you've ever made
- 🔓 Wallet Addresses - Linkable to your identity and ongoing activities
- 🔓 Trading Strategies - Your investment patterns and decision-making
- 🔓 Portfolio Values - Total holdings and wealth accumulation
- 🔓 Exchange Relationships - Which services you use and when
Your financial privacy deserves better protection.
PrivateACB's Local-Only Architecture
How We're Different
PrivateACB runs entirely on your computer - no cloud, no uploads, no exposure.
Local Processing Only
- ✅ Zero data uploads
- ✅ Offline capable
- ✅ No account registration
- ✅ No remote analytics
Desktop Application Benefits
- ✅ Complete control
- ✅ No subscription tracking
- ✅ Instant access
- ✅ Physical security
Military-Grade Security Implementation
Database Encryption
All your data is protected with enterprise-grade encryption
- 🔐 SQLCipher AES-256-CBC
- 🔐 PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512 (256,000 iterations)
- 🔐 HMAC-SHA512 authentication
- 🔐 Encrypted at rest
- 🔐 OS-level key storage
Secure Architecture
Built with security as a foundation, not an afterthought
- ✅ TypeScript security
- ✅ Process isolation
- ✅ Input validation
- ✅ Secure error handling
Cryptographic Implementation
Industry-standard cryptographic practices
- ✅ Secure random generation
- ✅ Proper key management
- ✅ Vetted algorithms only
- ✅ Side-channel protection
Data Integrity & Protection
Multiple layers of protection ensure your data stays safe and accurate
Backup & Recovery
- ✅ Local Backup Options - Create encrypted backups on your own storage
- ✅ Export Capabilities - Extract your data in standard formats anytime
- ✅ Import Verification - Comprehensive checks ensure backup integrity
- ✅ No Cloud Dependency - Your backups are yours, stored where you choose
Atomic Operations
- ✅ Transaction Safety - Database operations complete fully or not at all
- ✅ Corruption Prevention - Built-in safeguards against data corruption
- ✅ Rollback Capability - Undo changes if something goes wrong
- ✅ Consistency Checks - Regular validation of data integrity
Audit Trail
- ✅ Complete History - Every calculation and change is logged
- ✅ Tamper Detection - Know if your data has been modified
- ✅ Verification Tools - Built-in tools to verify calculation accuracy
- ✅ Export Documentation - Generate reports for auditors or tax authorities
Privacy by Design Principles
Our philosophy: if we don't have your data, it can't be compromised
No Data Collection
- ❌ No Usage Analytics - We don't track how you use the software
- ❌ No Error Reporting - Crash reports stay on your machine
- ❌ No Update Tracking - Anonymous update checks only
- ❌ No User Profiling - We don't build profiles of user behavior
Transparent Development
- ✅ Open Methodology - Our calculation methods are documented and reviewable
- ✅ No Hidden Features - All functionality is clearly documented
- ✅ Source Verification - Key algorithms available for independent review
- ✅ Regular Security Audits - Ongoing security assessments by third parties
Compliance & Standards
We follow the same security standards as financial institutions
Security Standards
- ✅ NIST Cybersecurity Framework - Aligned with federal cybersecurity guidelines
- ✅ OWASP Top 10 - Protection against the most common security vulnerabilities
- ✅ CIS Controls - Implementation of Center for Internet Security best practices
- ✅ ISO 27001 Principles - Information security management best practices
Financial Privacy Regulations
- ✅ PIPEDA Compliant (Canada) - Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
- ✅ Privacy Act Aligned (US) - Following federal privacy protection principles
- ✅ GDPR Principles - Privacy by design and data minimization
- ✅ Financial Privacy Rules - Bank-level privacy protection standards
Security Comparison
PrivateACB vs. Cloud Solutions
| Security Feature | PrivateACB | Cloud Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Data Location | Your Computer | Remote Servers |
| Encryption at Rest | ✅ AES-256 | ⚠️ Varies |
| Data Sharing | ❌ Never | ⚠️ Often |
| Government Access | 🛡️ Requires Warrant | ⚠️ Direct Access |
| Breach Risk | 🔒 Minimal | ⚠️ High Value Target |
| Data Retention | 👤 Your Choice | ⚠️ Indefinite |
| Usage Tracking | ❌ None | 📊 Extensive |
| Third-Party Access | ❌ Never | ⚠️ Common |
Technical Security Details
For IT Professionals and Security-Conscious Users
Encryption Specifications
Database: SQLCipher 4.4.2 with AES-256-CBC
Key Derivation: PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512, 256,000 iterations (25x NIST minimum)
HMAC Algorithm: HMAC-SHA512 for database authentication
Key Storage: OS-level encryption (DPAPI/Keychain/libsecret)
Memory Protection: Session-only key caching, cleared on app close
File System: OS-level file permissions and encryption support
Network Security
- ✅ Minimal Network Usage - Only for currency rate updates (optional)
- ✅ HTTPS Only - All network communication uses TLS 1.3
- ✅ Certificate Pinning - Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks
- ✅ No Telemetry - Zero data sent back to developers
System Integration
- ✅ OS Security Model - Proper integration with system security features
- ✅ Process Isolation - Separate processes for different security domains
- ✅ Privilege Separation - Minimal required system permissions
- ✅ Secure Updates - Cryptographically signed update packages
Your Data Rights
You own your data completely - we just provide the tools
Data Portability
- ✅ Standard Formats - Export data in CSV, JSON, and other standard formats
- ✅ No Lock-In - Take your data anywhere, anytime
- ✅ Complete History - Export includes all historical calculations and audit trails
- ✅ Tax-Ready Exports - Direct export to tax preparation software
Data Deletion
- ✅ Complete Removal - Secure deletion removes all traces
- ✅ Verification Tools - Confirm data has been completely removed
- ✅ No Remote Copies - Since we never upload, there's nothing to delete remotely
- ✅ User Control - Delete individual records or entire databases as needed
Questions About Security?
We're happy to answer technical questions about our security implementation.
Security Inquiries
security@privateacb.com
PGP Key
Available for sensitive communications
Documentation
Available upon request
Bug Bounty
Program for security researchers