End User License Agreement

Effective Date: February 26, 2026 — Last Updated: February 26, 2026

1. Definitions

In this Agreement the following terms have the meanings set out below:

• "Svart Suite" or "Company" — the developer and distributor of the Software.
• "Software" — all applications, services, and components distributed under the Svart Suite brand, including but not limited to Svart Browser, Svart Notes, Svart Docs, Svart Chat, Svart Pass, and Svart AI.
• "User" or "You" — any individual or entity that downloads, installs, or uses the Software.
• "Journalist" — any individual engaged in the gathering, processing, or dissemination of news or information to the public, including but not limited to reporters, editors, photographers, documentary filmmakers, bloggers, independent media workers, and citizen journalists.
• "Source" — any individual who provides information to a Journalist in confidence.

2. License Grant

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Svart Suite grants You a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Software for lawful purposes on devices You own or control.

You may not:

• Reverse-engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code of the Software, except where applicable law expressly permits it.
• Sublicense, rent, lease, or lend the Software to third parties.
• Remove, alter, or obscure any proprietary notices, labels, or marks on or in the Software.
• Use the Software to develop a competing product or service.

3. Our Mission — Privacy as a Fundamental Right

Our Software is designed to protect the digital privacy and security of all Users. We recognize that journalists, activists, whistleblowers, and human-rights defenders depend on secure communications and encrypted data storage to perform their work safely. We are committed to supporting these vital functions.

4. Protection of Journalists & Press Freedom

Svart Suite explicitly recognizes and supports the critical role of journalism in a free and democratic society. The following commitments form a core part of our product philosophy and this Agreement:

4.1 Journalist & Source Protection

• The Software is designed to protect the confidentiality of journalistic sources and communications.
• Svart Suite will never voluntarily build backdoors, weaken encryption, or create surveillance mechanisms intended to compromise journalist safety.
• We will not voluntarily disclose User data, metadata, or usage patterns that could be used to identify journalistic sources.
• Where technically feasible, our Software employs zero-knowledge architecture, meaning we cannot access your encrypted data even if compelled to do so.

4.2 Resistance to Overreach

• Svart Suite will challenge, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any government order, subpoena, or request that seeks to compel us to compromise the security of journalists or their sources.
• We will publish transparency reports disclosing the number and nature of government data requests we receive, to the extent legally permitted.
• We will notify affected Users of data requests whenever legally permissible.

4.3 Commitment to International Press Freedom Standards

Svart Suite's policies are guided by the principles set forth in:

• Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (freedom of expression).
• Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (freedom of expression).
• The First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
• The UNESCO Recommendation on the Protection of Journalists.
• International standards recognizing the confidentiality of journalistic sources.

4.4 Encryption by Default — Until Criminal Activity Is Detected

Our encryption and privacy protections are unconditional for lawful Users. Specifically:

• Journalists, whistleblowers, and activists receive full, uncompromised encryption protection at all times. Journalistic activity — including the protection of confidential sources, the investigation and publication of matters in the public interest, and the exercise of press freedom — will never trigger a report, flag, or investigation by Svart Suite, regardless of external pressure.
• All other lawful Users likewise receive full encryption protection. Personal browsing, private communications, encrypted notes, document storage, and password management remain fully private and encrypted.
• Criminal activity is the only exception. If Svart Suite detects or becomes aware of illegal activity being conducted through or in connection with the Software — including but not limited to fraud, exploitation, trafficking, cyberattacks, distribution of CSAM, terrorism, or any other criminal conduct — a formal report will be generated and submitted to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

To be absolutely clear:

This approach ensures that Svart Suite remains a trusted tool for legitimate privacy while making it clear that criminals cannot hide behind our encryption. We protect people — we do not protect crimes.

5. Prohibited Uses — Zero Tolerance for Criminal Activity

You agree that you will not use the Software to:

1. Engage in or facilitate any criminal activity, including but not limited to fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, trafficking of any kind, exploitation of minors, or the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
2. Plan, coordinate, or execute acts of violence, terrorism, or threats against any individual, group, or institution.
3. Distribute malware, ransomware, or engage in cyberattacks, including unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or data.
4. Harass, stalk, threaten, defame, or intimidate any individual, including journalists, activists, or public officials.
5. Engage in the sale or distribution of illegal goods or substances, including controlled narcotics, illegal weapons, stolen data, or counterfeit documents.
6. Evade lawful court orders, sanctions, or regulatory requirements that directly and specifically apply to You.
7. Infringe intellectual property rights, including distributing pirated software, media, or copyrighted material without authorization.
8. Engage in espionage or unauthorized intelligence-gathering against individuals, organizations, or governments, outside the scope of legitimate and lawful journalistic activity.
9. Impersonate journalists or media organizations to obtain information under false pretenses.

5.1 Distinction Between Privacy and Criminality

Svart Suite draws a clear line between:

• Legitimate use of privacy tools — protecting personal data, securing journalistic communications, safeguarding confidential sources, exercising free expression, and defending against surveillance overreach.
• Abuse of privacy tools — using encryption and anonymity features to commit, conceal, or facilitate criminal offenses.

The former is a right we fiercely defend. The latter is a violation of this Agreement and may result in immediate termination of your license.

5.2 Enforcement Against Misuse

If Svart Suite becomes aware that a User is employing the Software for prohibited purposes:

• We reserve the right to terminate the User's license immediately and without prior notice.
• We may cooperate with law enforcement where legally required, provided such cooperation is proportionate, authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction, and does not compromise the safety of journalists or their sources.
• We will never engage in mass surveillance, bulk data collection, or dragnet monitoring of Users to detect misuse. Any investigation will be targeted and proportionate.

5.3 Independent Security Contracting & Law Enforcement Cooperation

The developer of Svart Suite operates as an independent security contractor and may, from time to time, work directly with law enforcement agencies on a contractual basis to assist in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of criminal activity. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Providing expert analysis and reporting to police and law enforcement when evidence of criminal activity conducted through or involving the Software comes to the developer's attention.
• Producing security intelligence reports that may be shared with law enforcement to aid in the arrest and prosecution of individuals engaged in criminal conduct, including fraud, exploitation, trafficking, cyberattacks, and other serious offenses.
• Acting as an independent consultant to police forces and government agencies on matters of digital security, encryption, and cybercrime — compensated on a contractual basis for such services.

By using the Software, you acknowledge and accept that:

• The developer maintains an independent professional relationship with law enforcement agencies.
• Evidence of criminal activity may be documented and reported to the appropriate authorities.
• Reports will only be generated where there is a reasonable and good-faith basis to believe criminal conduct has occurred — never on the basis of speculation, political disagreement, or lawful use of privacy tools.
• This cooperation does not grant law enforcement any special access to the Software's encryption, zero-knowledge systems, or the private data of lawful Users.

6. No Warranty & Limitation of Liability

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SVART SUITE, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

• YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE) THE SOFTWARE;
• ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON OR RELATED TO THE SOFTWARE;
• ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR DATA OR TRANSMISSIONS;
• THE FAILURE OF ENCRYPTION OR SECURITY FEATURES DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR REASONABLE CONTROL.

7. Security & Encryption Disclosure

Svart Suite employs industry-standard encryption technologies, including AES-256, PBKDF2 key derivation, and AES-GCM authenticated encryption. While we strive to provide the strongest security possible:

• No software can guarantee absolute security against every conceivable threat.
• Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their passphrases and credentials.
• If you lose or forget your passphrase, Svart Suite cannot recover your encrypted data. This is a feature of our zero-knowledge architecture, not a defect.
• You acknowledge that the security of your data also depends on factors outside our control, including your device security, operating system, and network environment.

8. Data & Privacy

Our approach to data:

• Minimal collection: We collect the absolute minimum data necessary to operate the Software.
• Local-first architecture: Wherever possible, data is encrypted and stored locally on your device. We do not have access to your encrypted content.
• No selling of data: We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties for advertising, marketing, or any other purpose.
• No profiling: We do not build behavioral profiles of our Users.

For full details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

9. Third-Party Services

Certain components of the Software may interact with third-party services (e.g., DNS providers, search engines). Svart Suite is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party services. We encourage Users to review the privacy policies of any third-party service they interact with through the Software.

10. Updates & Modifications

Svart Suite may release updates, patches, or new versions of the Software from time to time. These updates may be required for continued use and may modify the functionality of the Software. This Agreement applies to all updates unless a separate agreement accompanies the update.

We reserve the right to modify this Agreement. Material changes will be communicated via our website or within the Software. Continued use of the Software after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Agreement.

11. Termination

This Agreement is effective until terminated. Your rights under this Agreement will terminate automatically without notice if you fail to comply with any of its terms. Upon termination:

• You must cease all use of the Software and destroy all copies in your possession.
• Sections 5, 6, 12, and 13 survive termination.

12. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with applicable law. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall first be subject to good-faith negotiation. If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation within thirty (30) days, either party may pursue resolution through binding arbitration or the courts of competent jurisdiction.

13. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that this Agreement shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

14. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with our Privacy Policy and any additional terms referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between You and Svart Suite regarding the Software and supersedes all prior agreements, whether written or oral.

15. Contact

If you have questions about this Agreement, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Web: Contact Page