Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 21, 2025

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you use OpenScribe, you may provide us with the following information:

• Account Information: Apple ID information when using iCloud sync features
• User Content: Notebooks, notes, drawings, annotations, audio recordings, PDF documents, and text you create or import into the App
• Settings and Preferences: Your app settings, template choices, tool preferences, and customization options
• Support Communications: Information you provide when contacting customer support

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use OpenScribe, we may automatically collect certain information:

• Device Information: Device model, iOS version, unique device identifiers, and hardware specifications
• Usage Information: Features used, time spent in the app, crash reports, and performance data
• Technical Data: App version, error logs, and diagnostic information

1.3 Information from Third-Party Services

OpenScribe integrates with Apple services:

• iCloud: Sync status and storage usage information
• Apple In-App Purchase: Subscription and purchase information processed through the App Store
• CloudKit: Record metadata for synchronization purposes

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Purpose	Description
Provide Services	Deliver core note-taking, OCR, audio recording, and synchronization features
Improve Functionality	Analyze usage patterns to enhance features and user experience
Customer Support	Respond to your inquiries and provide technical assistance
Security	Detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, and abuse
Legal Compliance	Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
Communications	Send you service updates, security alerts, and support messages

3. Data Storage and Synchronization

3.1 Local Storage

Your notes, notebooks, and content are primarily stored locally on your device in the following locations:

• Documents directory with file protection enabled
• SQLite database for OCR text indexing
• Temporary directory for audio processing

3.2 iCloud Sync

When you enable iCloud sync:

• Your content is synchronized across your devices using Apple's CloudKit service
• Data is stored in your personal iCloud account under Apple's privacy terms
• We do not have direct access to your iCloud data
• Sync is encrypted in transit and at rest using Apple's encryption standards
• Large files (>1MB) are stored as CloudKit assets with automatic chunking

3.3 Data Encryption

We implement industry-standard security measures:

• Local files protected with iOS file protection (complete protection class)
• Data in transit encrypted using TLS/SSL
• CloudKit data encrypted both in transit and at rest

4. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and AI Processing

4.1 On-Device Processing

OpenScribe uses Apple's Vision framework for handwriting recognition:

• OCR processing occurs locally on your device when possible
• Handwriting data is not sent to external servers unless explicitly stated
• Recognized text is stored in a local searchable index

4.2 Cloud-Based AI Services

For premium AI features, we may use cloud-based processing:

• Handwriting samples may be sent to our secure AI proxy servers
• Data is transmitted over encrypted connections
• Processed data is not retained longer than necessary to complete the request
• We do not use your content to train AI models without explicit consent

5. Audio Recordings

When you use audio recording features:

• Audio is recorded and stored locally on your device as M4A files
• Audio recordings sync to iCloud if you have enabled sync
• We do not access, listen to, or analyze your audio recordings
• Audio processing (noise reduction, silence detection) occurs on-device
• You can delete audio recordings at any time

6. Information Sharing and Disclosure

6.1 We Do Not Sell Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

6.2 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted service providers who assist us in operating the App:

• Apple Inc.: App Store, iCloud, CloudKit, and payment processing
• AI Processing Services: For premium OCR and handwriting recognition features
• Analytics Providers: For app performance monitoring (anonymized data only)

These service providers are bound by confidentiality obligations and may only use your information to provide services to us.

6.3 Collaboration Features

When you use sharing and collaboration features:

• You control which notebooks and content to share
• Shared content is accessible to invited participants via CloudKit sharing
• Participant information is managed through Apple's CloudKit infrastructure

6.4 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to:

• Valid legal processes (subpoenas, court orders, search warrants)
• Requests from government authorities
• Protection of our rights, privacy, safety, or property
• Enforcement of our Terms of Service

6.5 Business Transfers

If VidOpt LLC is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred. We will notify you via email or prominent notice in the App before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

7. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide the App's services:

• User Content: Retained until you delete it or terminate your account
• Account Information: Retained while you use the App and for a reasonable period thereafter
• Usage Data: Typically retained for 12-24 months for analytics purposes
• Support Communications: Retained for 3 years or as required by law

When you delete content from the App, it is removed from active use but may remain in backups for up to 90 days.

8. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

8.1 Access and Control

You have the following rights regarding your information:

• Access: View and export your notebooks and content at any time
• Correction: Edit or correct your content within the App
• Deletion: Delete specific content, notebooks, or your entire library
• Portability: Export your data in standard formats (PDF, .openscribe package)

8.2 Sync Control

• Enable or disable iCloud sync in app settings
• Choose which content to sync
• Delete synced data from iCloud

8.3 OCR and AI Features

• Disable automatic OCR processing
• Clear OCR search index
• Opt out of cloud-based AI features

8.4 Marketing Communications

You can opt out of promotional emails by following the unsubscribe instructions in those emails or contacting support.

8.5 Your California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell information)
• Right to deletion of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

8.6 European Privacy Rights

If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

9. Children's Privacy

OpenScribe is not intended for children under the age of 13 (or the applicable age of digital consent in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information immediately. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us.

10. International Data Transfers

OpenScribe is operated from the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that information we collect may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate. By using the App, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, which may have different data protection laws.

11. Third-Party Links and Services

The App may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by VidOpt LLC. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through the App.

12. Security Measures

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure coding practices and regular security audits
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Regular software updates and security patches

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy in the App
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending you an email notification (for material changes)
• Displaying an in-app notice

Your continued use of OpenScribe after the effective date of the updated Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

14. Data Protection Officer

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, you may contact our data protection team:

Email: privacy@openscribe.app

By using OpenScribe, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described herein.