Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vanishd and how it works.
What is Vanishd?
Vanishd is a third-party attestation service that provides cryptographic receipts for data destruction claims. When you delete sensitive data, Vanishd creates a blockchain-anchored receipt that proves you claimed to delete it at a specific time.
Does Vanishd actually delete my data?
No. Vanishd does not delete your data - you do. Vanishd provides attestation receipts that prove you claimed to delete data at a specific time. The actual deletion happens in your systems. We only see cryptographic hashes, never your actual data.
What blockchain does Vanishd use?
Vanishd runs as a canister (smart contract) on the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP). ICP provides fast finality (~10 seconds), low costs, and the ability to run complex logic on-chain.
How does verification work?
Anyone with a receipt ID can verify it without needing an API key. The verification checks that the receipt exists on the blockchain, the Merkle proof is valid, and the timestamp is authentic. This provides full transparency for auditors.
What data does Vanishd see?
Only cryptographic hashes. You hash your credentials locally using SHA-256 before sending to Vanishd. We never see your actual data, customer information, or credentials. We only store the hash and metadata about when the attestation was created.
How much does Vanishd cost?
We offer a free tier with 250 receipts/month included, with overages at 1.99¢ per receipt. Paid tiers (Pro at $99/month, Scale at $299/month) include more receipts and unlock sub-1¢ sliding scale overage rates that decrease with volume down to a 0.25¢ floor. See our pricing page for details.
What is a Merkle proof?
A Merkle proof is a cryptographic proof that efficiently shows a piece of data is included in a larger set. Vanishd batches receipts into Merkle trees, allowing anyone to verify a specific receipt is part of the anchored batch without needing access to all receipts.
How long are receipts stored?
Receipts are stored permanently on the ICP blockchain. Once anchored, they cannot be deleted or modified. This provides a permanent, tamper-evident audit trail.
Is Vanishd GDPR/CCPA compliant?
Vanishd helps you demonstrate compliance with data deletion requirements. By providing third-party attestation of your deletion claims, you have evidence to show auditors and regulators. However, you are still responsible for actually deleting the data.
What is Internet Identity?
Internet Identity is a secure, passwordless authentication system built into the Internet Computer. It uses your device's biometric or security key capabilities to authenticate without passwords. It's one of several ways to sign into the Vanishd dashboard.
What happens if I exceed my monthly receipt quota?
All tiers allow overages. Free tier overages are billed at a flat 1.99¢ per receipt. Paid tiers (Pro and Scale) enjoy sliding-scale rates starting at 0.79¢ and 0.49¢ respectively, decreasing with volume to a 0.25¢ floor. Monitor your usage in the dashboard and upgrade anytime for more included receipts, higher rate limits, and better overage rates.
What does "usage limit exceeded" mean?
This API error is now rare since all tiers allow overages. If you see it, it may be due to a rate limit or account issue. Check your dashboard for usage details, or contact hey@vanishd.io for help.
What does "account frozen" mean?
A frozen account is temporarily restricted while we investigate suspicious activity, payment issues, or potential Terms of Service concerns. You can still view your data and receipts, but cannot create new API keys or receipts. Contact hey@vanishd.io to resolve the issue.
What does "account disabled" mean?
A disabled account has been permanently restricted due to confirmed Terms of Service violations, fraud, or abuse. You cannot access the service. If you believe this is an error, contact hey@vanishd.io to appeal.
Can I change my subscription tier?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your tier at any time from the dashboard. To prevent abuse, there is a 24-hour cooldown between tier changes. Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades take effect at the next billing period.
Do you offer refunds?
New subscribers can request a full refund within 14 days of their initial subscription, as long as no production receipts were created during that period (test receipts are fine). After 14 days, or once production receipts have been created, subscriptions are non-refundable but you can cancel anytime — your access continues until the end of your billing period.
What if the Internet Computer goes offline?
Your locally-saved receipts contain all the cryptographic information needed for verification. Each receipt includes the Merkle proof and signature that can be verified against the Merkle root, even offline. We recommend always storing receipts programmatically when you create them.