Privacy Settings
Control how SMOG handles your data, with privacy and security at the forefront.
Privacy First Design
How SMOG Protects Your Privacy
Local Processing
All voice transcription, text analysis, and AI features run directly on your Mac. Your data never leaves your device.
What stays local:
- • Voice recordings and transcriptions
- • Screen content analysis (Vision feature)
- • Personal notes and saved data
- • AI model processing and responses
- • Usage patterns and preferences
Data Encryption
Your data is encrypted at rest using industry-standard AES-256 encryption, protected by your Mac's security features.
At Rest Encryption
All stored notes, transcriptions, and settings are encrypted on your disk
Memory Protection
Sensitive data in memory is cleared immediately after processing
No Cloud Dependencies
SMOG works completely offline. No internet connection is required for core functionality.
Internet only used for:
- • Software updates (optional)
- • License validation (on first install)
- • Optional integrations you enable (Notion, etc.)
- • Support ticket submission (when you contact us)
Privacy Controls
Data Retention Settings
Control how long SMOG keeps your data and when to automatically delete old information.
Auto-Delete
Set automatic deletion after 30, 90, or 365 days
Selective Cleanup
Keep important notes, delete temporary transcriptions
Manual Control
Review and delete data manually when needed
💡 Tip: Enable auto-delete for privacy, disable for permanent archiving
App-Specific Permissions
Choose which applications SMOG can interact with for Vision and Listen features.
Privacy Zones
Exclude sensitive applications from SMOG's Vision feature:
✅ Allowed by default: Text editors, email clients, browsers, productivity apps
Managing Your Data
View Stored Data
Access and review all data SMOG has stored:
- 1. Open SMOG Preferences → Privacy & Data
- 2. Click "View All Stored Data"
- 3. Browse by date, type, or application
- 4. Export or delete individual items as needed
Data types: Transcriptions, notes, voice recordings, vision analysis, settings
Export Your Data
Export all your data in standard formats:
- • Complete Archive: All data in JSON format
- • Notes Only: Transcriptions and notes as Markdown
- • Settings: Your preferences and configurations
- • Selective Export: Choose specific date ranges or types
Use export for backups or migrating to a new Mac
Delete All Data
⚠️ This action cannot be undone
Completely remove all SMOG data from your Mac:
- 1. Open SMOG Preferences → Privacy & Data
- 2. Click "Delete All Data" at the bottom
- 3. Confirm by typing "DELETE" in the dialog
- 4. All transcriptions, notes, and settings will be removed
This only removes data, not the app itself. You can continue using SMOG with fresh settings.
Third-Party Integrations
Optional Services
When you enable integrations (like Notion or cloud storage), SMOG only shares data you explicitly choose to export.
What's shared
Only the specific notes or transcriptions you choose to export
What's never shared
Voice recordings, full transcription history, personal settings, usage patterns
Your control
Disable integrations anytime, revoke access, or delete shared data
- • SMOG cannot access data from other password-protected apps
- • Voice recordings are deleted after transcription (unless you save them)
- • Screen analysis happens in real-time and is not permanently stored
- • You can use SMOG completely offline after initial setup
- • No analytics, telemetry, or usage tracking beyond basic crash reports
Your Privacy, Your Control
SMOG is designed with privacy as a fundamental principle, not an afterthought. Your data stays yours, always.