Terms and Conditions

Last updated: May 3, 2024.

time.shackle ("we", "us" and "our") may currently offer the following time encryption services:

• a (free or paid) service to encrypt files ("shackle");
• a (free) service to decrypt files ("unshackle").

Your use of our software, applications and website(s) located at timeshackle.com ("Services") are governed by these Terms of Service.

By accessing or using the Services in any way, you represent that:

• you are at least sixteen (16) years old;
• you are not barred from using the Services under the laws of the Netherlands or your place of residence;
• you have the authority to enter into these terms personally or on behalf of an entity, in which case all references to "you" or "your" will additionally refer to such entity;
• you have read, you understand and you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

You may not access or use the Services if you do not represent the above.

1. Applicability

1.1. We can amend the Terms of Service from time to time. Amendments will become effective when they are published on the website(s) located at timeshackle.com, or a later date stated within the amendment.

1.2. These Terms of Services supersede any and all prior oral and written agreements, terms and understandings between you and us.

2. Workings

2.1. The Services allow you to encrypt and decrypt files on your computer.

2.2. For the encryption service ("shackle"), JavaScript and Web Crypto APIs are used locally within the browser. A unique one-time cryptographically secure AES-256 key is first generated. File contents are then read and ciphered using strong symmetric AES-256-GCM encryption. The AES-256 key, along with any necessary metadata including a computed hash of the file contents and the chosen release time, are sent to our API over a secure SSL connection. The API returns a payload encrypted by a private authority key. Any public information such as the filename, chosen release time and message are sent to our API to be signed with ECDSA. The aforementioned data is then tightly packed into a package file, which can then be saved locally.

2.3. No file content encryption is executed on any of our servers. No contents of the file(s) you have selected are transmitted to us whether in encrypted or unencrypted form, apart from a single file hash checksum used to verify the file integrity when unshackling.

2.4. For the decryption service ("unshackle"), JavaScript and Web Crypto APIs are used locally within the browser. File contents are read and the package file is decoded to produce the encrypted payload as well as the public and signed Metadata generated earlier. These are sent to our API over a secure SSL connection. The API may return the original symmetric encryption key, which is then used locally to decipher the remaining and original file contents inside the package file. The deciphered file can then be saved locally.

2.5. Part of the decryption service is executed on our servers in order to safeguard the time encryption service. No contents of the original file(s) used to produce the shackled package file are transmitted to us whether in encrypted or unencrypted form.

3. Beta

3.1. All Services are currently in public preview stage ("Beta"), meaning that we cannot provide guarantees for the availability or functionality of the Services at this time.

3.2. The Services are currently only intended for evaluational purposes and its availability and functionality may change from time to time.

3.3. You should not rely solely on the Services at this time, and take the necessary precautions to backup any data you use with the Services.

3.4. We are not responsible for the loss of data as a result of using the Services, the unavailability of the Services, incorrect functioning of the Services, or any other reason involving the Services.

4. Contents

4.1. You own your files. We will not claim ownership of any files you use in the Services.

4.2. You are responsible for your files. You retain all rights, responsibility and liability to the files you use in the Services.

4.3. We are not liable to you or any third party for any damages arising out of or in relation to the files you use in the Services, including but not limited to copyright protected works, trademarks and/or loss of data.

5. Payments

5.1. Stripe ("Payment Service Provider") has been integrated into part of the Services to process payments on behalf of us.

5.2. If you make a purchase on the Services, you will be required to provide your payment details and any additional information required to complete your order directly to one of our Payment Service Providers. You agree to be bound by the Stripe Privacy Policy and the Terms and Conditions and hereby consent and authorize us and the relevant Payment Service Provider to share any information and payment instructions you provide, to the minimum extent required to complete your transactions.

5.3. Payment may be subject to validation checks by our Payment Service Providers and your card issuer, and we are not responsible if your card issuer declines to authorize payment for any reason. In some jurisdictions, our Payment Service Providers may use third parties under strict confidentiality and data protection requirements for the purposes of payment processing services.

5.4. You shall pay all fees or charges to your account in accordance with the fees, charges and billing terms in effect at the time a fee is due and payable. By providing us with your payment information, you agree that we are authorized to immediately invoice you for all fees due and payable to us hereunder and that no additional notice or consent is required.

6. Services

6.1. The encryption service ("shackle") is a one-time service for which a payment may be required.

6.2. The shackle service delivers digitally provided content ("package file") that is specifically and uniquely generated for you.

6.3. When you make a purchase, you agree to start delivery within the withdrawal period (e.g. 14 days) if applicable.

6.4. When you download the package file after your purchase, the service will be considered to be have been fully performed and any statutory right of withdrawal ends.

6.5. The decryption service ("unshackle") is a free service, independent from the shackle service, for which no payment will be required.

7. Website

7.1. We may show ads from selected advertisers on our website(s) from time to time when you use the Services.

7.2. We do not use any persistent, marketing or commercial cookies on our website(s) or for our Services.

7.3. You acknowledge and accept that all use outside the Services is at your own risk, including any links to external websites or the content, products or services offered on external websites.

8. Restrictions

8.1. You will not use the Services to commit, promote, enable or facilitate any unlawful or criminal acts or breach of these Terms of Services or facilitate or promote others to do so.

8.2. You will not interfere with, damage or disrupt the Services or act in a way that may do so.

8.3. You will not use automated means to access or use the Services without our permission.

8.4. You will not reverse engineer or decompile any (part) of the Services.

8.5. You will not resell, sublicence, rent, lease, offer or otherwise commercialize the Services without our permission.

8.6. You will not use the Services with the purpose of or involving activities with, in, or involving countries, regions, governments, persons, or entities that are the target of U.S. or EU sanctions, unless such activities are expressly authorized, whether by general or specific license or a license exception, by the applicable governmental authority.

8.7. You represent and certify that you are not the target of any economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Government, the Dutch Government, the European Union, or other governmental authority (collectively, “Governmental Authority”), including designation on a list of prohibited or restricted parties maintained by such governmental authorities. You also represent and certify that you are not located or maintain a residence in a country or territory that is subject to an embargo by a Government Authority, including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and the Crimea. You are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and you will not use the Services for any purposes prohibited by U.S., Dutch, European Union, or other applicable laws.

9. Disclaimer

9.1. We provide the Services "as-is", without any warranty of any kind. Without limiting the foregoing, we explicitly disclaim any warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.

9.2. We make no warranty that the Services are available on an uninterrupted, secure or error-free basis. Your use of the Services is at your own risk.

9.3. You acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible for any personal injury, or damages to the computer system or mobile device of you or any third party, that result from the use of the Services and is not responsible for any failure of the Services to encrypt or decrypt a file or for the corruption or loss of any data, information or Content contained in a file.

9.4. To the extent permissible under local mandatory law, we may change, terminate or expand the Services and website(s) from time to time and we reserve the right to limit access to or eliminate any features or functionality of the Services at own discretion, without giving prior notice.

10. Indemnity and Liability

10.1. You will defend, indemnify and hold us harmless (including its employees and affiliates) from and against any claims, incidents, liabilities, procedures, damages, losses and expenses (including legal and accounting fees), arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the Services or your breach of these Terms of Services, including any third party claims from any output of the Services created using the Services by you, infringe or violate any third party rights.

10.2. The Services may provide integration with Payment Service Providers. You acknowledge that: (i) we are not responsible for any acts or omissions, terms and/or policies of such third-party services; (ii) that we are not an agent of such third-party services; and (iii) your use of those services is subject to any applicable terms and conditions between you and the providers of such services.

10.3. To the extent permissible under local mandatory law, we are not liable for any damage or personal injury resulting from any use of the Services, including any (temporary) unavailability or incorrect functioning of the Services. The limitation of liability referred to in this clause shall not apply if the liability for damage caused by intent or gross negligence on the part of us. In the event we are liable for damage under mandatory law, our aggregate liability to you - to the extent permissible under local mandatory law - for any and all claims arising out of or in connection with the use of the Services will in no event exceed the amount of the one-time fee paid by you for the Services giving rise to the liability.

11. Severability and Assignment

11.1. If any (part of a) provision of these Terms of Services is found to be illegal, unenforceable or otherwise invalid, then (i) the rest of the Terms will remain in full force and effect to the extent permissible under or consistent with the relevant laws; and (ii) that part will be deemed to be deleted and substituted by a valid one which in its economic effect comes closest to the invalid part.

11.2. You may not assign any of your rights or obligations under these Terms of Services. We are at any time entitled to assign its rights and obligations under these Terms of Services to any affiliates or subsidiaries, or to any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise)without your consent or any other restriction.

12. Governing Law

12.1. These Terms of Services, their subject matter and their formation (and any non-contractual disputes or claims) are governed by Dutch law and you agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of any competent court of the Netherlands.

13. Company information

Timeshackle is a trade name of Snowcrash B.V. - Postbus 3, 3500 AA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Contact us at for any inquiries.