diff --git a/src-tauri/Cargo.lock b/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
index 02d4552..11dfad4 100644
--- a/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
+++ b/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
@@ -4430,6 +4430,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "base64 0.22.1",
  "ed25519-dalek",
  "encoding_rs",
+ "hmac",
  "hostname",
  "jsonwebtoken",
  "keyring",
diff --git a/src-tauri/Cargo.toml b/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
index bd1a7f2..02994f2 100644
--- a/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
+++ b/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ base64 = "0.22"
 # on Linux (libdbus-1-3 is present on every desktop Linux at runtime).
 keyring = { version = "3.6", default-features = false, features = ["sync-secret-service", "crypto-rust", "windows-native"] }
 zeroize = "1"
+hmac = "0.12"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 # Used in license_commands.rs tests to sign test JWTs. We avoid the `pem`
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/commands/account_cache.rs b/src-tauri/src/commands/account_cache.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c57abd2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src-tauri/src/commands/account_cache.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,292 @@
+// Integrity-protected cache for cached account info.
+//
+// The user's subscription tier is used by `license_commands::current_edition`
+// to unlock Premium features. Until this module, the subscription_status
+// claim was read directly from a plaintext `account.json` on disk, which
+// meant any local process (malware, nosy user, curl) could write
+// `{"subscription_status": "active"}` and bypass the paywall without
+// ever touching the Logto session. This module closes that trap.
+//
+// Approach: an HMAC-SHA256 signature is computed over the serialized
+// AccountInfo bytes using a per-install key stored in the OS keychain
+// (via the `keyring` crate, same backend as token_store). The signed
+// payload is wrapped as `{"data": {...}, "sig": "<base64>"}`. On read,
+// verification requires the same key; tampering with either `data` or
+// `sig` invalidates the cache.
+//
+// Trust chain:
+// - Key lives in the keychain, scoped to service "com.simpl.resultat",
+//   user "account-hmac-key". Compromising it requires compromising the
+//   keychain, which is the existing trust boundary for OAuth tokens.
+// - A legacy unsigned `account.json` (from v0.7.x) is still readable
+//   for display purposes (email, name, picture), but the gating path
+//   uses `load_verified` which returns None for legacy payloads —
+//   Premium features stay locked until the next token refresh rewrites
+//   the file with a signature.
+
+use hmac::{Hmac, Mac};
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+use sha2::Sha256;
+use std::fs;
+
+use super::auth_commands::AccountInfo;
+use super::token_store::{auth_dir, write_restricted};
+
+const KEYCHAIN_SERVICE: &str = "com.simpl.resultat";
+const KEYCHAIN_USER_HMAC: &str = "account-hmac-key";
+const ACCOUNT_FILE: &str = "account.json";
+
+type HmacSha256 = Hmac<Sha256>;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+struct SignedAccount {
+    data: AccountInfo,
+    sig: String,
+}
+
+/// Read the HMAC key from the keychain, creating a fresh random key on
+/// first use. The key is never persisted to disk — if the keychain is
+/// unreachable, the whole cache signing/verification path falls back
+/// to "not signed" which means gating stays locked until the keychain
+/// is available again. This is intentional (fail-closed).
+fn get_or_create_key() -> Result<[u8; 32], String> {
+    let entry = keyring::Entry::new(KEYCHAIN_SERVICE, KEYCHAIN_USER_HMAC)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Keychain entry init failed: {}", e))?;
+    match entry.get_password() {
+        Ok(b64) => decode_key(&b64),
+        Err(keyring::Error::NoEntry) => {
+            use rand::RngCore;
+            let mut key = [0u8; 32];
+            rand::thread_rng().fill_bytes(&mut key);
+            let encoded = encode_key(&key);
+            entry
+                .set_password(&encoded)
+                .map_err(|e| format!("Keychain HMAC key write failed: {}", e))?;
+            Ok(key)
+        }
+        Err(e) => Err(format!("Keychain HMAC key read failed: {}", e)),
+    }
+}
+
+fn encode_key(key: &[u8]) -> String {
+    use base64::{engine::general_purpose::STANDARD, Engine};
+    STANDARD.encode(key)
+}
+
+fn decode_key(raw: &str) -> Result<[u8; 32], String> {
+    use base64::{engine::general_purpose::STANDARD, Engine};
+    let bytes = STANDARD
+        .decode(raw.trim())
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Invalid HMAC key encoding: {}", e))?;
+    if bytes.len() != 32 {
+        return Err(format!(
+            "HMAC key must be 32 bytes, got {}",
+            bytes.len()
+        ));
+    }
+    let mut arr = [0u8; 32];
+    arr.copy_from_slice(&bytes);
+    Ok(arr)
+}
+
+fn sign(key: &[u8; 32], payload: &[u8]) -> String {
+    use base64::{engine::general_purpose::STANDARD, Engine};
+    let mut mac = HmacSha256::new_from_slice(key).expect("HMAC can take any key length");
+    mac.update(payload);
+    STANDARD.encode(mac.finalize().into_bytes())
+}
+
+fn verify(key: &[u8; 32], payload: &[u8], sig_b64: &str) -> bool {
+    use base64::{engine::general_purpose::STANDARD, Engine};
+    let Ok(sig_bytes) = STANDARD.decode(sig_b64) else {
+        return false;
+    };
+    let Ok(mut mac) = HmacSha256::new_from_slice(key) else {
+        return false;
+    };
+    mac.update(payload);
+    mac.verify_slice(&sig_bytes).is_ok()
+}
+
+/// Write the account cache as `{"data": {...}, "sig": "..."}`. The key
+/// is fetched from (or created in) the keychain. Writes fall back to an
+/// unsigned legacy-shape payload only when the keychain is unreachable
+/// — this keeps the UI functional on keychain-less systems but means
+/// the gating path will refuse to grant Premium until the keychain
+/// comes back.
+pub fn save(app: &tauri::AppHandle, account: &AccountInfo) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let dir = auth_dir(app)?;
+    let path = dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE);
+
+    match get_or_create_key() {
+        Ok(key) => {
+            // Serialise the AccountInfo alone (compact, deterministic
+            // for a given struct layout), sign the bytes, then re-wrap
+            // into the signed envelope. We write the signed envelope
+            // as pretty-printed JSON for readability in the audit log.
+            let data_bytes =
+                serde_json::to_vec(account).map_err(|e| format!("Serialize error: {}", e))?;
+            let sig = sign(&key, &data_bytes);
+            let envelope = SignedAccount {
+                data: account.clone(),
+                sig,
+            };
+            let json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&envelope)
+                .map_err(|e| format!("Serialize envelope error: {}", e))?;
+            write_restricted(&path, &json)
+        }
+        Err(err) => {
+            eprintln!(
+                "account_cache: keychain HMAC key unavailable, writing unsigned legacy payload ({})",
+                err
+            );
+            // Fallback: unsigned payload. UI still works, but
+            // `load_verified` will reject this file for gating.
+            let json = serde_json::to_string_pretty(account)
+                .map_err(|e| format!("Serialize error: {}", e))?;
+            write_restricted(&path, &json)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Load the cached account for **display purposes**. Accepts both the
+/// new signed envelope and legacy plaintext AccountInfo files. Does
+/// NOT verify the signature — suitable for showing the user's name /
+/// email / picture in the UI, but never for gating decisions.
+pub fn load_unverified(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<Option<AccountInfo>, String> {
+    let dir = auth_dir(app)?;
+    let path = dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE);
+    if !path.exists() {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+    let raw = fs::read_to_string(&path).map_err(|e| format!("Cannot read account: {}", e))?;
+
+    // Prefer the signed envelope shape; fall back to legacy flat
+    // AccountInfo so upgraded users see their account info immediately
+    // rather than a blank card until the next token refresh.
+    if let Ok(envelope) = serde_json::from_str::<SignedAccount>(&raw) {
+        return Ok(Some(envelope.data));
+    }
+    if let Ok(flat) = serde_json::from_str::<AccountInfo>(&raw) {
+        return Ok(Some(flat));
+    }
+    Err("Invalid account cache payload".to_string())
+}
+
+/// Load the cached account and verify the HMAC signature. Used by the
+/// license gating path (`current_edition`). Returns Ok(None) when:
+/// - no cache exists,
+/// - the cache is in legacy unsigned shape (pre-v0.8 or post-fallback),
+/// - the keychain HMAC key is unreachable,
+/// - the signature does not verify.
+///
+/// Any of these states must cause Premium features to stay locked —
+/// never accept an unverifiable payload for a gating decision.
+pub fn load_verified(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<Option<AccountInfo>, String> {
+    let dir = auth_dir(app)?;
+    let path = dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE);
+    if !path.exists() {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+    let raw = fs::read_to_string(&path).map_err(|e| format!("Cannot read account: {}", e))?;
+
+    // Only signed envelopes are acceptable here. Legacy flat payloads
+    // are treated as "no verified account".
+    let Ok(envelope) = serde_json::from_str::<SignedAccount>(&raw) else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let Ok(key) = get_or_create_key() else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    };
+    let data_bytes = match serde_json::to_vec(&envelope.data) {
+        Ok(v) => v,
+        Err(_) => return Ok(None),
+    };
+    if !verify(&key, &data_bytes, &envelope.sig) {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+    Ok(Some(envelope.data))
+}
+
+/// Delete the cached account file AND the keychain HMAC key. Called on
+/// logout so the next login generates a fresh key bound to the new
+/// session.
+pub fn delete(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let dir = auth_dir(app)?;
+    let path = dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE);
+    if path.exists() {
+        let _ = fs::remove_file(&path);
+    }
+    if let Ok(entry) = keyring::Entry::new(KEYCHAIN_SERVICE, KEYCHAIN_USER_HMAC) {
+        let _ = entry.delete_credential();
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn sample_account() -> AccountInfo {
+        AccountInfo {
+            email: "user@example.com".into(),
+            name: Some("Test User".into()),
+            picture: None,
+            subscription_status: Some("active".into()),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn sign_then_verify_same_key() {
+        let key = [7u8; 32];
+        let payload = b"hello world";
+        let sig = sign(&key, payload);
+        assert!(verify(&key, payload, &sig));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn verify_rejects_tampered_payload() {
+        let key = [7u8; 32];
+        let sig = sign(&key, b"original");
+        assert!(!verify(&key, b"tampered", &sig));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn verify_rejects_wrong_key() {
+        let key_a = [7u8; 32];
+        let key_b = [8u8; 32];
+        let sig = sign(&key_a, b"payload");
+        assert!(!verify(&key_b, b"payload", &sig));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn envelope_roundtrip_serde() {
+        let account = sample_account();
+        let key = [3u8; 32];
+        let data = serde_json::to_vec(&account).unwrap();
+        let sig = sign(&key, &data);
+        let env = SignedAccount {
+            data: account.clone(),
+            sig,
+        };
+        let json = serde_json::to_string(&env).unwrap();
+        let decoded: SignedAccount = serde_json::from_str(&json).unwrap();
+        let decoded_data = serde_json::to_vec(&decoded.data).unwrap();
+        assert!(verify(&key, &decoded_data, &decoded.sig));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn encode_decode_key_roundtrip() {
+        let key = [42u8; 32];
+        let encoded = encode_key(&key);
+        let decoded = decode_key(&encoded).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(decoded, key);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn decode_key_rejects_wrong_length() {
+        use base64::{engine::general_purpose::STANDARD, Engine};
+        let short = STANDARD.encode([1u8; 16]);
+        assert!(decode_key(&short).is_err());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/commands/auth_commands.rs b/src-tauri/src/commands/auth_commands.rs
index 7c75c9b..212ef19 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/commands/auth_commands.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/commands/auth_commands.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ use std::fs;
 use std::sync::Mutex;
 use tauri::Manager;
 
+use super::account_cache;
 use super::token_store::{
     self, auth_dir, chrono_now, write_restricted, StoredTokens,
 };
@@ -35,7 +36,6 @@ fn logto_app_id() -> String {
 }
 
 const REDIRECT_URI: &str = "simpl-resultat://auth/callback";
-const ACCOUNT_FILE: &str = "account.json";
 const LAST_CHECK_FILE: &str = "last_check";
 const CHECK_INTERVAL_SECS: i64 = 86400; // 24 hours
 
@@ -158,11 +158,10 @@ pub async fn handle_auth_callback(app: tauri::AppHandle, code: String) -> Result
     // Fetch user info
     let account = fetch_userinfo(&endpoint, &access_token).await?;
 
-    // Store account info (non-secret; stays in the restricted file store).
-    let dir = auth_dir(&app)?;
-    let account_json =
-        serde_json::to_string_pretty(&account).map_err(|e| format!("Serialize error: {}", e))?;
-    write_restricted(&dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE), &account_json)?;
+    // Store account info with an HMAC signature so the license gating
+    // path can trust the cached subscription_status without re-calling
+    // Logto on every entitlement check.
+    account_cache::save(&app, &account)?;
 
     Ok(account)
 }
@@ -195,8 +194,7 @@ pub async fn refresh_auth_token(app: tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<AccountInfo, St
     if !resp.status().is_success() {
         // Clear stored tokens on refresh failure.
         let _ = token_store::delete(&app);
-        let dir = auth_dir(&app)?;
-        let _ = fs::remove_file(dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE));
+        let _ = account_cache::delete(&app);
         return Err("Session expired, please sign in again".to_string());
     }
 
@@ -222,34 +220,27 @@ pub async fn refresh_auth_token(app: tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<AccountInfo, St
     token_store::save(&app, &new_tokens)?;
 
     let account = fetch_userinfo(&endpoint, &new_access).await?;
-    let dir = auth_dir(&app)?;
-    let account_json =
-        serde_json::to_string_pretty(&account).map_err(|e| format!("Serialize error: {}", e))?;
-    write_restricted(&dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE), &account_json)?;
+    account_cache::save(&app, &account)?;
 
     Ok(account)
 }
 
-/// Read cached account info without network call.
+/// Read cached account info without network call. Used for UI display
+/// only — accepts both signed (v0.8+) and legacy (v0.7.x) payloads so
+/// upgraded users still see their name/email immediately. The license
+/// gating path uses `account_cache::load_verified` instead.
 #[tauri::command]
 pub fn get_account_info(app: tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<Option<AccountInfo>, String> {
-    let dir = auth_dir(&app)?;
-    let path = dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE);
-    if !path.exists() {
-        return Ok(None);
-    }
-    let raw = fs::read_to_string(&path).map_err(|e| format!("Cannot read account: {}", e))?;
-    let account: AccountInfo =
-        serde_json::from_str(&raw).map_err(|e| format!("Invalid account file: {}", e))?;
-    Ok(Some(account))
+    account_cache::load_unverified(&app)
 }
 
-/// Log out: clear all stored tokens and account info.
+/// Log out: clear all stored tokens and account info, including the
+/// HMAC key so the next session starts with a fresh cryptographic
+/// anchor.
 #[tauri::command]
 pub fn logout(app: tauri::AppHandle) -> Result<(), String> {
     token_store::delete(&app)?;
-    let dir = auth_dir(&app)?;
-    let _ = fs::remove_file(dir.join(ACCOUNT_FILE));
+    account_cache::delete(&app)?;
     Ok(())
 }
 
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/commands/license_commands.rs b/src-tauri/src/commands/license_commands.rs
index 8092a73..8d9bf14 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/commands/license_commands.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/commands/license_commands.rs
@@ -267,16 +267,16 @@ pub(crate) fn current_edition(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> String {
     info.edition
 }
 
-/// Read the cached account.json to check for an active Premium subscription.
-/// Returns None if no account file exists or the file is invalid.
+/// Read the HMAC-verified account cache to check for an active Premium
+/// subscription. Legacy unsigned caches (from v0.7.x) and tampered
+/// payloads return None — Premium features stay locked until the user
+/// re-authenticates or the next token refresh re-signs the cache.
+///
+/// This is intentional: before HMAC signing, any local process could
+/// write `{"subscription_status": "active"}` to account.json and
+/// bypass the paywall. Fail-closed is the correct posture here.
 fn check_account_edition(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
-    let dir = app_data_dir(app).ok()?.join("auth");
-    let account_path = dir.join("account.json");
-    if !account_path.exists() {
-        return None;
-    }
-    let raw = fs::read_to_string(&account_path).ok()?;
-    let account: super::auth_commands::AccountInfo = serde_json::from_str(&raw).ok()?;
+    let account = super::account_cache::load_verified(app).ok().flatten()?;
     match account.subscription_status.as_deref() {
         Some("active") => Some(EDITION_PREMIUM.to_string()),
         _ => None,
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/commands/mod.rs b/src-tauri/src/commands/mod.rs
index 0cea39e..45c17a1 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/commands/mod.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/commands/mod.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+pub mod account_cache;
 pub mod auth_commands;
 pub mod entitlements;
 pub mod export_import_commands;