Last updated: March 26, 2026
VoicePaste is a macOS dictation app. We take your privacy seriously. This policy explains what data we collect, how we handle it, and what choices you have.
The short version: your audio and transcriptions stay on your Mac. VoicePaste Cloud relays audio to AI providers for transcription and then discards it. VoicePaste Local either sends audio directly to your chosen provider (own API keys) or processes it entirely on your Mac (Local Whisper).
When you dictate, VoicePaste records audio from your microphone. Recordings are stored locally on your Mac in compressed AAC format. You control how long recordings are kept in Settings.
Transcribed text is stored locally in a SQLite database on your Mac. This includes the text, timestamp, language, duration, and which provider was used. You can delete any entry from your history at any time. You can also configure a text retention policy in Settings (7, 30, 90, 180, 365 days, or forever).
Even when audio or transcription text is deleted (manually or via retention settings), VoicePaste retains metadata such as recording duration, timestamps, language, and provider used. This metadata is needed to calculate your usage statistics and cannot be individually deleted.
Your hotkey configurations, API keys (if using VoicePaste Local with own API keys), and app preferences are stored locally in JSON files on your Mac.
Audio is sent to the VoicePaste Cloud service, which relays it to AI providers for transcription. For small files, audio is processed in memory and never stored. For larger files, audio may be temporarily held in cloud storage during processing and is deleted immediately after transcription completes. No audio is retained after processing.
Cloud mode tracks your monthly usage (audio duration) to manage subscription quotas. This usage data is associated with your license key and may be spread across multiple devices.
Audio is sent directly from your Mac to the AI provider you configured: OpenAI, ElevenLabs, Deepgram, or AssemblyAI. The audio never passes through VoicePaste servers. You are subject to your chosen provider's privacy policy.
Audio is transcribed entirely on your Mac using a locally downloaded Whisper model. No audio, text, or metadata is sent anywhere. This is the most private option.
Rewriting and translation are powered by OpenAI. In Cloud mode, VoicePaste Cloud handles this for you using its own OpenAI credentials. In Local mode with your own OpenAI key, the request goes directly to OpenAI. If you don't have an OpenAI key, rewriting and translation are not available in Local mode.
VoicePaste uses TelemetryDeck for anonymous, privacy-focused analytics. This collects aggregate usage patterns (which features are used, session counts) without personal identifiers. TelemetryDeck is GDPR-compliant and does not track individual users. You can opt out in Settings.
The voicepaste.app website uses Google Analytics to understand visitor traffic. The desktop app does not use Google Analytics.
VoicePaste integrates with the following third-party services:
Each service has its own privacy policy. In VoicePaste Local mode with your own API keys, you interact directly with your chosen AI providers under your own accounts. With Local Whisper, no third-party services are used.
Since VoicePaste stores data locally on your Mac, you have full control:
VoicePaste does not use your audio or transcriptions for AI model training or any purpose other than providing the service. We cannot guarantee what third-party AI providers do with data processed through their APIs. Please refer to the privacy policies of the individual providers (OpenAI, ElevenLabs, Deepgram, AssemblyAI) for their data handling practices.
VoicePaste does not track you. We do not link your data with third-party data for advertising, and we do not share data with data brokers.
If VoicePaste Cloud is ever discontinued, users will receive 90 days notice. During the notice period, existing subscriptions continue to function. You can switch to VoicePaste Local to continue using VoicePaste indefinitely without cloud services.
VoicePaste is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from children.
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated through the app or website. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.
Questions about this privacy policy? Email us at privacy@voicepaste.app.