FAQ

Is ParallelPath really free? Yes. It's open source (AGPL-3.0). You can run it yourself on your own server. There are no paid tiers, adverts or tracking.

Can the other parent delete or edit what they said? No. Sent messages can never be changed or deleted - by anyone. A sender can add an amendment or retraction with a reason, and the original stays visible to everyone and in reports.

Can the server administrator read our messages? No. There's no admin screen that shows family content; your username and email are masked even in the admin's account list; your activity is redacted in their audit view; backups are encrypted; and they can't reset your 2FA or get a reset link for you unless you allow it. Everything is encrypted at rest and in transit. Someone with full root access to the running server could, with effort, extract keys - see Security - so choose a trustworthy operator or run your own server.

How do I back up my own data? Account > Your data. Add a passphrase to get an encrypted file only you can open (at /decrypt-export, in your browser).

Does the other parent know when I've read a message? Yes - each message shows when each recipient first viewed it. This is standard for co-parenting records and helps avoid "I never got it" disputes.

Can I block the other parent? You can mute their notifications and refuse their calls, but not block them completely, because both parents need access to the shared record. Family members and other third parties can be fully blocked.

Who can a professional see? Only what a parent allowed (e.g. messages and calendar), read-only, and optionally only for a set number of days. Both parents are told when access changes, and professionals' viewing is logged.

Is the AI reading my messages? By default Tone Check runs on the server with simple word lists - no AI service sees anything. If the administrator connects an AI provider, your Account page says which, and you can turn Tone Check off.

Will this be accepted by a court? Courts decide what they accept. ParallelPath makes records tamper-evident and reports independently verifiable at /verify, which helps - but take legal advice.

What happens to records if I leave? Shared records remain available to the other parent - they're their records too. Your private files and journal remain yours; download them any time from Account > Download my data.

Does it work on my phone? Yes - in the browser, and you can install it as an app (Install app button, or Share > Add to Home Screen on iPhone). Calls work on phones too.

I lost my phone with my authenticator app. Sign in with one of your recovery codes. If you don't have them, ask the server administrator to reset your two-step verification - they'll need to confirm it's really you.