FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

🔒 Security & Privacy

How secure is Cherami?

Cherami uses end-to-end encryption with AES-256-GCM, the same encryption standard used by governments and banks. Your messages are encrypted in your browser before they ever reach our servers. We operate on a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning we cannot read your messages even if we wanted to.

Can Cherami employees read my messages?

No. Messages are encrypted client-side using keys that never leave your browser. We only store encrypted data that is meaningless without the decryption key, which is contained in the link you share. This is why losing the link means losing access to the message forever.

What happens to my data after the message expires?

Once a message expires or reaches its view limit, it becomes inaccessible immediately. Our system runs automatic cleanup every hour to permanently delete expired message data and any associated files from our servers. There's also a 10-minute grace period after the final view to ensure recipients can save the content.

Is Cherami open source?

Yes! Our encryption implementation is open source and available on GitHub. You can verify our security claims and even run your own instance if desired.

⚙️ How It Works

What makes Cherami different from email?

Unlike email, Cherami messages self-destruct after being viewed or when time expires. Messages are end-to-end encrypted, and you control exactly who can access them and for how long. There's no inbox, no account, and no permanent record.

Can I send files?

Yes! Free users can send files up to 10MB, while paid plans support much larger files (up to 1.5GB for Whisper/Echo tiers). You can even select multiple files to automatically create a secure ZIP package. All files are encrypted just like text messages.

What happens if I lose the link?

If you lose the link, the message is gone forever. This is a security feature, not a bug. The decryption key is embedded in the link itself and we don't store it. This ensures that even we cannot access your messages.

Can I password-protect messages?

Yes! You can add an optional password when creating a message. The password adds an extra layer of security - even if someone gets the link, they'll need the password to decrypt it. Remember: we cannot recover forgotten passwords.

💳 Pricing & Plans

Is Cherami really free?

Yes! Our free tier allows you to send messages up to 10MB that last 24 hours. This covers most personal use cases. We offer paid plans for users who need longer message retention, larger file sizes, or API access for automation.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets through our secure payment processor, Stripe. All payment information is handled directly by Stripe - we never see or store your card details.

Can I change or cancel my plan?

Absolutely! You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your subscription at any time from your dashboard. Changes take effect at the next billing cycle. No questions asked, no cancellation fees.

Do you offer refunds?

We offer a 7-day money-back guarantee for all paid plans. If you're not satisfied, contact us at support@cherami.link for a full refund.

🔧 Technical Questions

Does Cherami have an API?

Yes! Paid plans include API access for programmatic message creation. Check our API documentation for integration details. We provide client libraries for JavaScript and Python to make integration easy.

What browsers are supported?

Cherami works on all modern browsers that support the Web Crypto API, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and mobile browsers. We recommend using the latest version of your browser for the best experience.

Is there a message size limit?

Text messages can be any reasonable length. File size limits depend on your plan: Free (10MB), Whisper & Echo (1.5GB), Cipher (150GB). The encryption process adds minimal overhead to the original file size.

Can I track if my message was viewed?

Your dashboard shows basic analytics like remaining views and expiration time. For privacy reasons, we don't track IP addresses or provide read receipts that could identify recipients.

🔐 Cherami

Frequently Asked Questions