The Short Version

Your data stays on your Mac. Screenshots, audio recordings, transcripts—all stored locally. I can’t see it, I can’t access it, and it never leaves your device unless you explicitly use optional cloud features.

What Previously Captures

When you use Previously, the app captures:

• Screenshots of your screen (configurable interval)
• Text extracted from those screenshots via OCR
• Audio from your system and/or microphone (optional)
• Transcriptions of that audio
• Metadata like app names, window titles, URLs, timestamps

All of this is processed and stored locally on your Mac.

What Stays Local

Everything by default:

• All screenshots
• All audio recordings
• All text extractions and transcriptions
• All activity data
• Your search history
• Your settings and preferences

This data is stored in your personal Library folder—a private location that isn’t synced to iCloud or accessible to other applications.

AI Features: Bring Your Own Key

Some features use AI cloud services. These are opt-in and require you to provide your own API key:

How it works: You add your own OpenAI or Anthropic API key in Previously settings. The app makes API calls directly to those providers—I never see your key or the data you send.

This means:

• Your data goes directly to the AI provider, not through me
• You pay the AI providers at their standard rates
• You have a direct relationship with OpenAI/Anthropic
• I can’t access your API usage or data

You can use Previously entirely without AI features. All core functionality—capture, keyword search, activity tracking—works completely offline.

Website Analytics

This website uses simple, privacy-respecting analytics to understand how people find and use the site. I collect:

• Page views (no personal identifiers)
• Referrer information
• Country (from IP, not stored)

I don’t use cookies for tracking, and I don’t share data with advertisers.

What I Collect

When you purchase Previously:

• Email address (for license delivery and support)
• Payment information (processed by Stripe—I don’t see your card details)

That’s it. No accounts, no profiles, no tracking.

Data Retention

In the app: You control how long Previously keeps your data. Set retention limits, storage caps, or delete everything at any time.

On my end: I keep your email for license/support purposes. Payment records are retained as required by law.

Your Rights

You can:

• Delete all local data at any time (in-app)
• Request deletion of any account information I hold
• Export your data
• Use the app without cloud features

Security

Your local database is encrypted. I also recommend:

• Enabling FileVault on your Mac
• Using a strong system password
• Keeping macOS updated

Contact

Questions? Email me: privacy@previously.app

Last updated: December 2024