F.A.Q.
Frequently asked questions about Secretum
How exactly are messages exchanged between Secretum users?
Secretum uses the public IMAP protocol together with strong end-to-end encryption for all transmitted data.
Does Secretum itself have access to the content of my messages?
No, Secretum only provides an interface for convenient communication.
Do I need to register to use Secretum?
No, all you need is any e-mail address you already use. The only requirement is that your e-mail provider supports remote mailbox access via the IMAP protocol.
Does Secretum store my correspondence in my e-mail provider's mailbox?
Both yes and no. A message you send, including attached files, is stored encrypted on your provider's mail server only until the recipient downloads and reads it. After that, the data is permanently deleted from the mail server. In addition, if the recipient doesn't download the message for a long time (configurable in Secretum settings), the message is force-deleted and you'll receive a notification that it wasn't delivered.
Do I need a lot of free space in my mailbox to use Secretum?
Not at all. Given average messaging intensity, 100 MB is more than enough for most users.
If my mailbox is hacked, or my e-mail provider is forced to disclose information about my correspondence, could anyone see messages sent through Secretum?
No — in that case only your regular e-mail correspondence would be readable. At most, someone could see who you exchanged messages with through Secretum, but not the content itself. And even in the worst case, this could only apply to a handful of the most recent messages. Without the encryption key, accessing the content of Secretum messages is impossible.
If access to my mailbox is somehow blocked at the internet provider level, will I still be able to communicate through Secretum?
Most likely not. It depends on the method and level of the blocking. Secretum provides fully private communication but doesn't offer methods to bypass internet blocks. In that case, you would need to use additional software alongside Secretum, or switch to a mailbox from a different e-mail provider.
Can I use Secretum completely free of charge?
Yes, Secretum is completely free for basic use. By "completely," we mean the app contains no advertising, doesn't analyze your transmitted information even in anonymized form, and does not collect or use your personal data in any way.
How do I start using Secretum?
Download the app, create a new chat, and add the e-mail address of the person you want to talk to. If they haven't installed Secretum yet, they'll receive an invitation e-mail from you with a link to download the app. Once they install Secretum and sign in, you'll be able to have a private conversation. If your contact already has Secretum, you can start chatting right after the encryption keys are exchanged.
Can I use Secretum on several devices at once with one account?
You can, but with limitations. Under Secretum's privacy policy, correspondence is stored only on the user's device and nowhere else. If you sign in to Secretum on a second device, the first device is temporarily disconnected, and all new messages will be saved only on the second device. Switching back to the first device disconnects the second.
What happens if Secretum loses the encryption keys — will my correspondence be left unprotected?
No, that won't happen. The keys are stored only on your device. If they're lost (a crash, accidental deletion), you'll temporarily be unable to read messages sent to you. Simply start the conversation with your contact again — Secretum will generate new encryption keys and communication will continue as before.
What features are available in the free version of Secretum?
Main features:
- One user account
- Text messages (E2E encryption)
- Image transfer (one file per message, E2E encryption)
- Any file transfer up to 15 MB (one file per message, E2E encryption)