The 10-second answer

Blanksheet generates fresh encryption keys on your device for each session, locks every entry with AES-256 before it ever touches the cloud, and processes AI insights using ephemeral keys that disappear after use. Our servers never see your plaintext—no employees or attackers can peek inside, even if they wanted to.

Privacy First, AI Included

True zero-knowledge encryption – Your ephemeral keys are generated fresh in your browser and never transmitted to our servers, so nothing stored in our database is readable without you.

Automatic emotional insights – When you complete a meaningful entry, Blanksheet's AI processes it using temporary keys on your device, returns insights in seconds, then the keys vanish. This is what makes a private AI journal possible: you see charts and reflections the next time you open the page—no extra clicks required.

Instant journaling flow – Background processing with ephemeral keys means no waiting spinners while you write. Insights stream in real-time without compromising your privacy.

How Ephemeral Encryption Works

Here's what happens when you write:

1. Fresh keys generated – Your browser creates new encryption keys that exist only in memory

2. Local encryption – Entries are encrypted on your device before any data leaves

3. AI processing – Insights are generated using ephemeral keys that never touch our servers

4. Keys disappear – Session keys vanish when you're done—no storage, no logs, no traces

This means even if our servers were compromised, your journal remains completely secure.

Why We Don't Offer an "AI Off" Switch—Yet

Right now, everyone gets emotion tracking and insights by default because they power core features like milestone reflections. We're evaluating a toggle for people who want encryption without automated analysis, but it isn't ready today.

The good news: even with AI enabled, our ephemeral key system means your privacy is never compromised.

Can Publishing This Make Us Easier to Hack?

No. Modern cryptography is designed for "open-design" security—the math and high-level workflow can be public without weakening protection. Attackers still need the one thing they'll never get from us: your ephemeral encryption keys (because we literally never have them).

Five Quick Ways to Spot a Truly Private AI Journal

1. Recovery key at signup – If you don't get one, the company can unlock your diary.

2. No magic password resets – Real encryption means lost keys = lost data.

3. Legal immunity by design – Provider can't hand over what they literally can't read.

4. Ephemeral key generation – Keys should be created fresh on your device, not sent from servers.

5. Client-side processing – AI should work with your data locally, not by sending plaintext to servers.

FAQ

What happens if I forget my password?

You'll need your recovery key to regain access. We can't reset the lock for you—that's the point of true zero-knowledge encryption.

Is performance affected by encryption?

Modern browsers handle ephemeral key generation and AES-256 encryption in milliseconds; most people never notice.

How is this different from other encrypted journals?

Most apps decrypt your data on their servers for AI processing. We generate fresh keys on your device and process everything client-side—we never see your plaintext.

Will a future opt-out remove all AI?

Yes. When the toggle launches, we'll disable automatic analysis for those who switch it off. Your past entries will stay encrypted and untouched.

What if I lose my device?

Your recovery key lets you restore access on a new device. The ephemeral keys from your lost device are already gone—they only existed during that session.

Ready to Journal Privately (With or Without AI)?

Blanksheet was built for writers worldwide who want insight and independence. Join the wait-list at blanksheet.ai to try the private-by-default journal that keeps your thoughts yours—with ephemeral encryption that even we can't break.

True privacy. Real insights. Zero knowledge.

Why Your AI Journal Needs Client-Side Encryption (and How Blanksheet Keeps Your Secrets Safe)