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Terms of use

Last updated: 9 August 2026

1. The service

File Witness is a free tool provided by the Australian Privacy Network. It computes a SHA-256 fingerprint of a file in your browser, reads metadata the file reports about itself, and optionally passes a preview image to an AI model for interpretation. It is in public preview and may change or be withdrawn at any time.

2. What a record does not prove

An inspection record states what this browser computed and read from the file you supplied at that moment. It does not establish authenticity, authorship, ownership, capture date, capture location, chain of custody or legal admissibility. Metadata is self-reported by the file and can be absent, wrong or deliberately falsified.

AI interpretation is an opinion generated by a model. It can be incorrect and it never overrides a verified fact. Do not rely on it as evidence.

3. Acceptable use

  • Only submit files you have the right to inspect and, where relevant, to disclose.
  • Do not use the tool to harass, deceive or misrepresent a record's meaning.
  • Do not attempt to overload, scrape or circumvent limits on the service or the ledger.
  • Do not present File Witness output as a legal, forensic or certified finding.

4. No professional advice

Nothing produced by File Witness is legal, forensic or professional advice. If a matter is important, obtain qualified advice and a proper forensic examination.

5. Availability and warranty

The tool is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind to the extent permitted by law. Nothing in these terms excludes rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.

6. Liability

To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for loss arising from your use of, or reliance on, File Witness output, including decisions made on the basis of an inspection record or an AI interpretation.

7. Privacy

Data handling is described in the privacy policy.

8. Governing law and contact

These terms are governed by the laws of Australia. Questions: safe@australianprivacynetwork.com.au.