Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy applies to the LocalSubtitle application for macOS (the "App") and our official website located at localsubtitle.com (the "Website"). It explains our practices regarding user privacy and how we handle device permissions, audio data, and waitlist communications.

By downloading, installing, or using LocalSubtitle, or by submitting your email on our launch waitlist, you agree to the terms described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Data We Do NOT Collect

Unlike traditional captioning software and cloud subtitle extensions, LocalSubtitle does not collect, transmit, store, or sell any of your media or personal data. Specifically:

• No Audio Transmission: Audio captured from your video players, browsers, or microphone is never uploaded to the internet or any third-party server.
• No Audio Storage: Audio streams are processed in temporary volatile memory (RAM) and immediately discarded once speech transcription is complete.
• No Screen Recording: The App never records, captures, screenshots, or inspects your computer monitor pixels.
• No Transcripts or Conversation Logs: Subtitles generated by the App are rendered on screen and not logged or uploaded to remote databases.
• No Telemetry or User Profiling: We do not track your app usage, keystrokes, viewing habits, or device advertising identifiers.

3. System Permissions We Request & How They Are Used

To function as an assistive live captioning tool, LocalSubtitle may request standard macOS system permissions. Each permission is used solely for on-device processing:

A. System Audio Recording (Audio Hardware HAL Tap)

In macOS Sequoia (macOS 15.0+), capturing audio from other running applications requires user permission under System Settings ➔ Privacy & Security ➔ Screen & System Audio Recording. LocalSubtitle uses this permission exclusively for system audio output tapping. We do not access, view, or record your display screen. This design ensures your video playback never triggers HDCP copyright blankouts on streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV.

B. Microphone Access

The App may request microphone access if you choose to transcribe your own voice, live meetings, or language pronunciation practice. Microphone audio is processed entirely on-device and is never transmitted over any network connection.

4. On-Device AI & Translation Processing

All artificial intelligence pipelines in LocalSubtitle execute strictly on your Mac:

• Speech Recognition Engine: Speech-to-text models run locally on your Mac's Apple Silicon GPU and Neural Engine.
• Language Translation Engine: Translations are processed using local neural models or Apple's built-in offline Translation framework packages.
• Network Isolation: The core transcription engine is architected to operate with complete network isolation. The App functions seamlessly in Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi disabled.

5. Website Waitlist & Email Communications

If you voluntarily sign up for our Mac App Store launch waitlist on our website:

• Information Collected: Only the email address you voluntarily provide in the launch notification form.
• Purpose of Collection: We use your email solely to send you a direct notification when LocalSubtitle launches on the Mac App Store and critical launch updates.
• Form Processing via FormSubmit: Waitlist submissions are transmitted over encrypted TLS directly to FormSubmit.co, which securely delivers the submission to our private administrative inbox (mail@localsubtitle.com). FormSubmit acts as a technical transmission processor.
• No Plaintext Email Storage in Browser: We do not store your email address or personal identity in your browser's persistent storage. Our client script stores only a non-identifying local session flag (localSubtitle_waitlist_joined = true) in browser localStorage strictly to prevent redundant form submissions and suppress repetitive modals during your visit. You can clear this flag at any time by clearing your browser cache and website data.
• Zero Tracking & Zero Advertising: We do not use tracking pixels, ad beacons, behavioral analytics, or marketing retargeting cookies.
• Zero Spam / Selling: We will never sell, rent, monetize, or trade your email address to marketers or third-party brokers.
• Opt-Out & Complete Deletion: You may request permanent deletion of your email from our launch list at any time by emailing us at mail@localsubtitle.com, and your address will be promptly purged.

6. Third-Party Services & Apple App Store

When you purchase or download LocalSubtitle through the Apple Mac App Store, your purchase transaction, payment details, and Apple ID are governed exclusively by Apple's Privacy Policy and the Apple Media Services Terms. We do not receive, store, or process your credit card numbers, billing addresses, or financial information.

7. Compliance with Global Privacy Laws

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation - European Union)

Under the GDPR, we act as a Data Controller only for voluntary email waitlist submissions, with the legal basis of your explicit consent. Because the macOS app operates 100% offline without collecting personal data, no user data transfers across international borders occur during app operation.

CCPA / CPRA (California Consumer Privacy Act)

We do not sell or share personal information as defined by the California Consumer Privacy Act. We respect California consumers' rights to request disclosure and deletion of any voluntarily provided contact details.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

LocalSubtitle does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. Because the desktop application collects no data from any user, it is safe for all audiences.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect updates to macOS, our software features, or legal requirements. When updates are published, the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page will be revised. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions, feedback, or data privacy inquiries regarding LocalSubtitle, please reach out to our team at:

LocalSubtitle Team
Email: mail@localsubtitle.com
Website: localsubtitle.com