Privacy Policy - Evidence Timeline

TL;DR - Privacy Summary

Evidence Timeline is a fully local, offline application:

✅ All your data stays on your computer
✅ We do NOT collect, access, or transmit your case data
✅ No accounts, logins, or user tracking
✅ No analytics or telemetry
✅ No advertisements
✅ No third-party data sharing

The only internet connection used is for checking for software updates from our public GitHub repository.

Data Storage and Ownership

Your Data Belongs to You

All case data, evidence information, notes, and attachments are stored locally on your computer in folders that you choose. Intagri Technologies LLC does not have access to, collect, or store any of your case data.

What Data is Stored Locally

1. Case Data (User-Selected Folder)

When you create a case, you choose where to store it. This folder contains:

Case Information: Case name, case number, court location, court level
Evidence Metadata: Evidence descriptions, dates, types, court numbers
Notes: All notes you write for cases and evidence
Attachments: Files you attach to evidence items
Evidence Links: Connections between related evidence
Person Associations: People linked to evidence items
Case Settings: UI preferences for that specific case

Location: Wherever you choose when creating a case
Ownership: You own and control this data
Access: Only you and users with access to your computer can access this data

2. Application Settings (AppData)

The application stores minimal settings in your Windows user profile:

Recent Cases List: Paths to recently opened cases for quick access
Last Opened Case: The most recently used case
Application Preferences: UI theme preference

Location: %AppData%\EvidenceTimeline\settings.json
Content: Only file paths and UI preferences - no case data

Data Collection

We Do NOT Collect:

❌ Personal information (names, addresses, email, phone numbers)
❌ Case data or evidence information
❌ Notes or attachments
❌ User activity or behavior
❌ Analytics or telemetry
❌ Crash reports or error logs
❌ IP addresses or location data
❌ System information or device identifiers

What We Access (Update Checks Only):

When the application checks for updates, it:

Connects to GitHub (https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LCRH1883/evidence_timeline/main/update.xml)
Downloads a small XML file containing version information
Compares version numbers to determine if an update is available
If update available: Downloads the installer from GitHub Releases (public URL)

Data Transmitted: Only the HTTP request to GitHub's servers (standard web request)

Note: Update checks are disabled in Debug/Development builds and only occur in Release builds.

Internet Connectivity

When Does the Application Connect to the Internet?

Release Builds (Installed Version):

On startup: Checks for software updates (can be skipped)
Manual check: When you click Help → Check for Updates
Update download: When you choose to download an available update

Can I Use the Application Offline?

Yes! The application works completely offline. All functionality is available without an internet connection:

✅ Create and manage cases
✅ Add and edit evidence
✅ Take notes and attach files
✅ Link evidence and associate people
✅ View case statistics and information

The only feature requiring internet is the software update check, which can be skipped or disabled.

Third-Party Services

GitHub (Update Distribution Only)

We use GitHub Releases to distribute software updates. When checking for updates:

Service: GitHub.com (owned by Microsoft)
Purpose: Hosting update information and installer files
Data Transmitted: Standard HTTP request to public GitHub URLs
GitHub's Role: GitHub may log web server requests as part of their service
Privacy Policy: GitHub Privacy Statement

No other third-party services are used.

Data Security

Local Storage Security

Your data is secured by:

Windows File System Permissions: Only users with access to your Windows account can access the data
No Cloud Storage: Data is never transmitted to cloud servers
No External Database: All data stored in local JSON and Markdown files
Separate Case Folders: Each case is isolated in its own folder

Recommendations for Enhanced Security

To protect sensitive case data:

✅ Use Windows BitLocker or other disk encryption
✅ Store cases on encrypted drives if handling sensitive information
✅ Use strong Windows user account passwords
✅ Enable Windows Defender or other antivirus software
✅ Backup your case folders regularly to prevent data loss
✅ Store backups on encrypted external drives or secure locations

Updates and Data Safety

Non-Destructive Updates

When you install a software update:

What Gets Updated (Application Only):

Application executable files (.exe, .dll)
Program resources (icons, UI files)
Installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Evidence Timeline\)

What Is NEVER Touched (Your Data):

✅ Case folders and all contents
✅ Evidence metadata and notes
✅ File attachments
✅ Application settings in AppData
✅ Recent cases list

Why It's Safe:

User data is stored separately from the application
Updates only replace program files, never data files
You can reinstall or downgrade without losing data

Your Rights and Control

You have complete control over your data:

Access: You can access all your data at any time (stored in folders you chose)
Modify: You can edit or update any data using the application
Export: You can copy case folders to share or backup data
Delete: You can delete any or all data at any time
Portability: Case folders are portable - move them to any location or computer

Contact Information

For questions about this Privacy Policy or data practices:

GitHub Issues: github.com/LCRH1883/evidence_timeline/issues
Company: Intagri Technologies LLC

Complete Privacy Policy

For the complete, detailed privacy policy including legal compliance, data retention, and professional responsibility information, please see:

View Complete Privacy Policy on GitHub →

Last Updated: December 1, 2025
Version: 1.0