Attorney-reviewed analysis of password vault services
Password managers hold the keys to your digital life. When you trust a service with credentials for your bank, email, and everything else, the terms of service matter enormously. I've analyzed what these companies can do with your data, what happens if they're breached, and who's liable when things go wrong. Security claims are one thing—the legal fine print reveals the full picture.
Most password managers severely limit their liability for breaches. Even if your vault is compromised, recovery is typically limited to subscription refunds—not actual damages.
While "zero-knowledge" encryption sounds secure, the legal terms often include exceptions for metadata, usage patterns, and compliance with law enforcement requests.
Lost your master password? Most services have limited or no recovery options, but terms don't always make this crystal clear before you commit.
Exporting your passwords isn't always straightforward. Some services limit export formats or frequency, creating soft lock-in.
Each password manager's terms of service, privacy policy, and security documentation are reviewed by attorneys using my Consumer Fairness Index. I evaluate encryption claims, breach liability, data access policies, and user rights. Password managers are held to a higher standard given the sensitivity of stored data. Scores are updated when terms change or security incidents occur.
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