Plain View
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Security & Data Handling

How Plain View handles warrant-return data, what it stores, and what it never does. Written so your IT and records staff can review it before approving the software.

Summary

Runs OfflineA single HTML file that opens in Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Nothing to install.
Nothing Is UploadedReturn files are read on the investigator's computer and never sent anywhere.
No Cloud, No AccountsNo servers, user accounts, or online database hold your case data.
No TrackingNo analytics, telemetry, advertising, or usage reporting.

How It Runs

Plain View is delivered as one HTML file licensed to a named investigator. It opens in a standard web browser (Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge). It doesn't need an installer, administrator rights, browser extensions, plug-ins, or background services.

The investigator loads a Meta warrant return that they already have on their computer. The browser reads those files locally, and Plain View builds the timeline, conversations, network chart, and reports in memory on that computer.

Where Data Lives

All case data stays on the investigator's computer, in the places listed below.

WhatWhere It's StoredWho Controls It
The original return filesWherever the investigator keeps them. Plain View only reads them and never modifies them.Investigator / agency
Work in progress (tags, notes, case events, identified names)The browser's local storage on that computer (autosave)Investigator / agency
Saved case filesA file the investigator saves to a location they chooseInvestigator / agency
Printed reports and CSV exportsCreated only when the investigator prints or exportsInvestigator / agency

Kilian Investigative Solutions LLC has no access to any of this data and never receives a copy of it.

Note on browser storage: autosaved work stays in that browser profile until it's cleared. On shared computers, or where policy requires it, investigators should save a case file to an approved location and clear the browser's site data when a case is finished. Clearing browser data deletes the autosave, so save a case file first.

Network Activity

Plain View is built to work with no internet connection. It doesn't send case data, return contents, usage information, or error reports anywhere. It doesn't check for updates automatically, and it doesn't load outside scripts, fonts, or images.

Your IT staff can confirm this themselves: open Plain View with the computer disconnected from the network, or watch the browser's developer tools (Network tab) while it runs.

Licensing & Activation

  • Named-user licenses. Each copy is issued to one investigator. Their name, agency, and license number appear in the program header, on printed reports, in CSV exports, and in saved case files.
  • Signed licenses. Each license is digitally signed (ECDSA P-256). A copy whose license has been edited won't run.
  • Manual activation. Each license can be activated on up to two computers. Activation happens by email, not through an online server. The program shows a short install code, the investigator emails it to us, and we reply with an activation code. Nothing is sent from the program itself.
  • What the install code contains. It's a one-way fingerprint (SHA-256 hash) of the license's user ID and general hardware details reported by the browser, such as the number of processor cores, memory size, and graphics adapter. The original details can't be read back from it. It contains no case data, file names, or personal information.
  • Expiration. After a license ends, the copy stops loading returns. Previously saved case files, reports, and exports stay with the agency.

Evidence Integrity

  • Plain View only reads the return files. It never alters them.
  • Message content, account names, and IDs are displayed as Meta provided them. Times are converted to the time zone the investigator selects, and the zone is labeled on screen and in reports.
  • Anything the investigator adds is kept separate from Meta's records and labeled as investigator work product. That includes tags, notes, case events, and names identified for an account. In reports and exports, identified names appear next to the original Meta account and are marked "identified by investigator."
  • Investigators should keep the original return as the evidence of record and follow their agency's digital-evidence procedures. Plain View is an analysis aid. It isn't a forensic acquisition tool and doesn't replace the original records.

Agency Responsibilities

Because everything stays on agency computers, your existing policies for criminal justice information and digital evidence still apply. That includes device encryption, access control, storage locations, retention, and disposal. Plain View doesn't change or replace those controls.

Kilian Investigative Solutions LLC doesn't host, store, process, or transmit agency case data. We can provide additional information to support your agency's review on request.

Questions

Agency IT, security, and records staff are welcome to contact us with questions before purchasing: support@plainviewtimeline.com. Please don't send case information or evidence by email.

Last updated October 28, 2026. See also our Privacy Policy.