Why On-Device Storage Matters for Health Data

The Case for Keeping Health Data on Your Device

In a world where everything is moving to the cloud, on-device storage might seem old-fashioned. But for health data, there are compelling reasons to keep your information local.

Understanding On-Device vs. Cloud Storage

Cloud Storage:

• Data stored on company servers
• Accessible from anywhere with internet
• Company has access to your data (usually encrypted)
• Subject to server breaches and outages

On-Device Storage:

• Data stored locally on your phone/tablet
• Works offline, no internet required
• Only you have access to your data
• Protected by your device’s security

Why It Matters for Health Data

Health information is uniquely sensitive:

• Medical conditions and diagnoses
• Mental health records
• Genetic information
• Reproductive health data
• Substance use history

This information could affect:

• Insurance coverage
• Employment opportunities
• Personal relationships
• Future healthcare decisions

The Privacy Advantage

With on-device storage:

• No company access: Even the app developer can’t see your data
• No data mining: Your health info can’t be used for advertising
• No sale of data: Nothing to sell if there’s nothing on servers
• No government requests: Companies can’t hand over what they don’t have
• No breach risk: Server breaches don’t affect local-only data

The VertexMD Approach

VertexMD is built on an on-device-first architecture:

• All health records stored locally by default
• 256-bit AES-GCM encryption on your device
• AI processing happens entirely on-device
• Optional encrypted cloud backup (you control the keys)
• Data never leaves your device without explicit permission

But What About Backup?

Valid concern! On-device storage needs a backup strategy:

• Local backup: Encrypted backups to your computer
• Optional cloud sync: End-to-end encrypted, zero-knowledge
• Export options: Download your data in standard formats

VertexMD offers encrypted cloud backup for Pro and Family users, but with end-to-end encryption—we can’t read your data even on our servers.

The Best of Both Worlds

You don’t have to choose between convenience and privacy:

• Store sensitive data on-device
• Enable encrypted sync for multi-device access
• Export and share only when needed
• Maintain complete control over your information

Making an Informed Choice

When evaluating health apps, ask:

• Where is my data stored?
• Who can access it?
• Is it encrypted, and who holds the keys?
• What happens to my data if the company is sold or closes?
• Can I export and delete my data completely?

Your health data is too important to trust to apps that don’t prioritize your privacy.