Legal · Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. Avelix PDF is designed around local-first processing. This policy explains what information we handle, why, and your rights (including under POPIA and GDPR where they apply). It is the same on the mobile app and the web app.
Key point: Standard PDF tools process files on your device. Optional cloud features (sign-in, AI, billing) are described in the sections below.
We collect the minimum needed to operate the service: your account email and display name when you sign up, optional security question answers stored on your device for account recovery, and billing-related identifiers when you subscribe. We do not collect personal identification beyond this for standard PDF tools.
PDF tools (merge, split, sign, compress, convert, and similar) run locally — on your device in the mobile app and in your browser on the web. We do not upload, copy, or store the contents of your documents on our servers for those features. Files only leave the app when you explicitly share them, connect a third-party service, or use optional cloud features below.
When you use the AI Assistant, only extracted text needed to answer your question is sent to a cloud AI provider — not a full file upload. On the mobile app this uses Google Gemini; on the web app, text is sent via our server to OpenAI. Do not use AI features with highly confidential documents unless you accept this processing. Data sent to those providers is subject to their privacy policies.
Preferences, recent files, theme, security answers (hashed), and similar settings are stored on your device (encrypted shared preferences on Android; local storage and IndexedDB in the browser). This data is not synced to our servers unless you sign in for account features.
If you sign in with email/password, Google Sign-In, or Firebase Authentication, basic account data (email, account ID, sign-in timestamps) is handled by Firebase and Google under their privacy policies. You can update your profile or delete your account from settings where available.
Depending on features you use, we rely on: Firebase (authentication and optional cloud sync), Google Sign-In, Google Play Billing (Android subscriptions), PayFast (web subscriptions), Google Gemini (mobile AI), OpenAI via our server (web AI), Google Drive (optional web integration), Google ML Kit (on-device scanning on Android), and standard platform services (printing, sharing). These are only invoked when you use the corresponding feature.
We may collect anonymized crash reports and usage diagnostics to improve stability. These reports do not include the contents of your documents.
Avelix PDF is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, email support@avelixpdf.co.za so we can remove it.
You may access, correct, or delete your account data from settings or by emailing support@avelixpdf.co.za. If you believe your rights have been infringed, you may complain to the Information Regulator of South Africa or your local data protection authority.
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Significant changes will be reflected in the app and on the web. Continued use after an update means you accept the updated policy.
For privacy requests, data access, or deletion — our team is here to help.