Who we are
Calin Sirian provides Vela Browser. This policy explains the iOS app's data practices. Contact [email protected] with privacy questions or requests. It covers Vela's own features; websites you visit and services you choose have their own privacy policies. The macOS app is covered by the separate general policy.
Browsing and local storage
Basic browsing does not require a Vela account. Tabs, bookmarks, browsing history, settings, downloads, website cookies and website storage are normally kept on your device. Saved passwords and service credentials use Apple's Keychain. Private browsing uses a non-persistent website data store and is excluded from normal history; downloaded files or information you deliberately save can remain. Private browsing does not make you anonymous to websites, network operators or service providers.
Websites receive the information necessary to load their content, such as your IP address, browser information, requests and any data you enter. Website permissions for camera, microphone, location and other capabilities are controlled by the app and iOS prompts. We do not receive website camera or microphone content through a separate Vela analytics service.
iCloud synchronization
If iCloud is available and Vela's sync setting is enabled, Vela uses Apple's iCloud key-value storage to synchronize supported bookmarks, history, profiles, settings, saved-password data and open-tab sessions between your Vela devices. Sync is enabled by default and can be turned off in Settings. The sync data includes an app-generated device identifier and device name to distinguish tab sessions. Apple's storage and account practices apply. Turning off sync stops Vela's synchronization; it does not automatically erase copies already on other devices or in your iCloud account.
Optional Vela account and Shared Profiles
You may create an account to use Shared Profiles (MultiLogin). We store your email, account identifier, a hashed password, authentication-session records and profile-sharing information on Vela's server. We use them to authenticate you, manage invitations and access permissions, and deliver the sharing service. Your current password is transmitted over HTTPS when authenticating or confirming account deletion; it is not stored as a readable password.
A profile is uploaded only when you choose to publish it. Profile bundles can include website cookies and sessions, local storage, IndexedDB, profile settings, recent tabs and profile-scoped saved passwords. This can reveal browsing or search activity and can grant access to signed-in websites. Review Vela's publishing warning and share only with people you trust. The server stores the published bundle and makes it available to members or share-link recipients you authorize. This service is not described as end-to-end encrypted.
Keep local-only profiles if you do not want this information uploaded. You can revoke sharing, leave a shared profile or delete a server profile through Shared Profiles. Account and shared data are kept while the account or relevant shared profile exists. Authentication tokens expire or are revoked; ordinary hosting and security logs may remain for operational or legal purposes. Previously downloaded copies on other people's devices cannot be remotely erased.
Account deletion and your choices
To permanently delete your Vela account in the app, open Profiles, then Shared Profiles, and use Account → Delete Account. Enter your current password and confirm. This deletes the account, its owned server profiles, associated memberships, invitations and app sessions. Local browsing data stays on your device. You can also sign in at velabrowser.com/account.php to use the account deletion control.
Use Settings → Privacy to clear supported local browsing and website data, and use the bookmarks, history, downloads and password controls to manage individual items. Deleting an account does not delete unrelated downloaded files, your Apple account or data held independently by websites, AI providers or authorized collaborators. For access, correction or deletion requests that the app controls do not cover, email support. Rights available to you depend on your jurisdiction.
Optional AI features
AI is optional. On supported hardware and operating systems, Apple Intelligence can process supported requests on-device. If you select OpenAI, Anthropic Claude or Ollama Cloud and configure your own credentials, your questions, selected text, attached content and any page context used for the requested AI action are sent directly to that provider. The provider receives the connection information and credentials necessary to process the request. Vela does not sell this content or use it for advertising. Provider retention and processing policies apply: OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama and Apple. Do not send information you do not want the selected provider to process.
Search, weather and other network services
Searches and enabled search suggestions are sent to your selected search provider. RSS feeds, page icons, wallpapers and downloaded content are fetched from the sources used by those features. Those sources can receive your IP address, requested URL and related connection data. Custom DNS, proxy and other network settings use the services you configure.
Optional Tor uses the bundled Tor client and the Tor network for supported browser connections when enabled. Tor directory servers and relays process connection information needed to establish circuits; an entry relay can see the originating IP address, and an exit relay can see destinations and traffic that is not protected by HTTPS. The app may contact check.torproject.org to verify a Tor connection. Tor does not make all app services or other apps anonymous. Custom proxy and DNS providers have their own data practices.
The new-tab weather feature is enabled by default. Automatic city detection uses IP-based services, currently ipapi.co with ipwho.is as a fallback, to estimate your city and approximate coordinates. A manual city can be chosen instead. Weather requests send the selected city or coordinates to the chosen weather provider: Open-Meteo (the default), wttr.in, MET Norway or Apple WeatherKit. Disable weather or select a manual city in Settings to change this behavior. The weather feature does not use a separate Vela GPS-tracking service.
Hosting, security and data use
Vela's website and account API use hosting and delivery infrastructure, including Cloudflare. They process ordinary request information such as IP addresses, timestamps and requested paths to deliver and protect the service. We use account and shared-profile data for app functionality and support, not for cross-app advertising tracking. Vela for iOS does not send the macOS app's automatic device-usage telemetry check-ins. We do not sell personal data or include a Vela advertising-tracking SDK.
Network requests to Vela's account service use HTTPS. Local credentials use platform security facilities. Shared profiles can contain sensitive session data: transport encryption is not a guarantee that authorized recipients cannot use or copy that data. Information may be processed in countries other than where you live, depending on the infrastructure and providers involved.
Children and policy updates
Vela is a general-purpose browser and is not directed to children. Websites may contain age-restricted material; use appropriate device and parental controls. If you believe a child has supplied personal information to our account service without appropriate authorization, contact support so we can investigate and address it.
We may update this policy as features or data practices change. The current version and effective date will be published on this page. Material changes will be communicated where appropriate. Questions: [email protected].