How We Keep Your Data & Photos 100% Private (A Transparent Look Inside Our System)

When you upload a photo or signature, you’re not just sending pixels, you’re sharing part of your identity. That deserves real protection, not vague statements or recycled privacy templates.

Most people don’t realize how an uploaded image can be misused. Photos often contain hidden EXIF data, which can reveal location, timestamps, and device information.

A study of Lepide found that over 40% of businesses don’t even know where all their customer data is stored.

That’s exactly why we built our privacy workflow from scratch a system designed to keep every image safe, isolated, and fully deleted right after use. You can read the foundation of our approach in our Privacy Policy, but here’s the human version of how it works behind the scenes.

The Hidden Risks of Uploading Photos Online

Every digital photo includes EXIF metadata. This isn’t something most customers think about, but according to NIST researchers, EXIF “may unintentionally reveal personal information such as geolocation” (NIST IR 8006).

This is where many online stores fail. They use:

• Third-party upload tools
• Cloud-based editors that store cached photos
• Shared hosting servers
• Plugins that copy user uploads

All of these increase the risk of leaks.

That’s why our workflow is built differently, you can see the care we put into trust inside our About Us page.

Why We Built Our Own Secure Pipeline

Most e-commerce sites rely on off-the-shelf upload modules. That’s fine for selling T-shirts but not for a business where customers upload their face.

Our system is built around three principles:

• Zero third-party processing – Everything stays inside our secured environment.
• Air-gapped design workstation – Designers work in an offline workspace where your image cannot sync or upload anywhere.
• Separate upload, design, and production systems – This follows NIST SP 800-53 recommendations on isolating sensitive data.

If you want a closer look at how we operate as a transparent novelty-ID business, our Disclaimer page explains our novelty-only usage policy clearly.

From Upload to Permanent Deletion: Step by Step

Here’s what actually happens inside our system:

1. Encrypted Upload

Your files are transferred using TLS 1.3, the same encryption standard used for banking.

2. Metadata Stripping

Before a designer sees your photo, an automated script removes EXIF, GPS, timestamps, and camera identifiers.

3. Private Design Workspace

A designer uses a temporary, encrypted copy in an offline workspace.

• No cloud.
• No sync.
• No shared environment.

4. Render & Proof

Your novelty card is rendered in a controlled environment that produces a file with zero attached personal data.

5. Cryptographic Deletion

Within 72 hours of order completion, your files are wiped using methods consistent with NIST SP 800-88 (media sanitization).

You can check how this aligns with the ordering experience on our Order Page.

The Security Frameworks We Follow (Human Explanation)

We base our privacy system on three respected frameworks:

FTC Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs)

• We explain everything openly.
• We only collect what’s necessary.
• We secure and delete your data.

The FTC calls this “reasonable security,” but we go further we eliminate what isn’t needed.

GDPR Article 5 (even though we’re U.S.-based)

• Data minimization
• Purpose limitation
• Storage limitation
• Confidential processing

GDPR sets the gold standard, so we follow it because it’s the right thing to do — not because we legally have to.

NIST SP 800-122 & 800-53

These guides define how PII should be handled.

Our upload, design, and deletion workflows are built to satisfy these standards end-to-end.

If you want more clarity on our compliance boundaries, visit our FAQs. We break things down in plain English there too.

What We Never Do With Your Data

Many websites don’t intentionally leak data they just don’t know where it goes.

Here’s what we avoid entirely:

• No cloud storage
• No long-term backups
• No AI training on customer images
• No metadata retention
• No 3rd-party image editors
• No hidden analytics tracking uploads
• No archiving “for future templates”

Our entire pipeline is designed for single-use file handling then deletion.

You can read how this relates to customer protection in our Refund Policy, which explains what information is required after payment.

How You Can Protect Your Own Privacy (Expert Tips)

Even with our protections, your privacy starts with you.

Here’s what the FTC, NIST, and cybersecurity experts recommend for safer uploads:

• Turn off location services in your camera app
• Use a fresh photo, don’t reuse official ID pictures
• Use neutral backgrounds
• Avoid sending images over social media
• Use a unique email for online purchases
• Keep confirmation emails secure

If you ever have questions, our team is reachable through the Contact Page.

Privacy Isn’t a Feature (It’s a Partnership)

We believe privacy is earned through transparency, not claims.

That’s why our policies, disclaimers, and processes are visible, readable, and human.

And you should real this Fake ID vs Novelty ID to find learn the difference.

This helps customers understand what we create and what we don’t.

We’re a novelty ID provider dedicated to safe, ethical, collectible-only products. Transparency is how we draw the line clearly and honestly.

Final Thoughts

Your photo isn’t just a file.

Your likeness isn’t just “data.”

And your trust isn’t something we take lightly.

We built our privacy system so that your personal details:

• stay encrypted
• stay isolated
• stay offline
• and disappear when your order is complete

“The best kind of privacy is the kind you never have to worry about because the system takes care of it for you.”

Everything you upload is protected with intention and deleted with purpose.