Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 18, 2026 · Effective Date: February 18, 2026

The short version: When you visit our website, we collect your email address if you join our waitlist, and we use privacy-friendly analytics to understand how our site performs. If you use our desktop app, your notes, transcripts, and session data are stored only on your computer — we never see them.

1. Who We Are

PopScribe AI LLC is a California limited liability company.

Website: popscribe.ai
Email: support@popscribe.ai

PopScribe builds desktop software for college students. Our app provides real-time AI-assisted lecture notes and study tools. It runs entirely on your computer — we do not operate any cloud storage for your notes, transcripts, or session data.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Website Visitors

Email address — Collected when you voluntarily join our waitlist via GetWaitlist. This is the only PII we collect through the website.

Website usage data (non-identifying) — Pages visited, time on page, referral source, general geographic region, device type, browser type. Aggregated and anonymized via Plausible Analytics (cookie-free) and Microsoft Clarity.

2.2 Desktop Application Users

Audio — Streamed to a third-party speech-to-text service for transcription. Never stored by us. Discarded immediately after transcription.

Transcripts and notes — Stored as text files on your local device only. Never uploaded to our servers.

Screen captures — If used, images are streamed to AI providers for analysis and not stored.

Text sent to AI services — Processed by AI providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google, depending on your configuration) under their commercial API terms, which prohibit training on your data.

Your API keys — Stored exclusively in your operating system's secure credential store (Windows DPAPI, macOS Keychain, Linux libsecret). We never transmit or have access to your keys.

No user accounts or cloud storage — PopScribe does not require account creation. We do not have access to your notes, transcripts, flashcards, or session data.

3. How We Use Your Information

Waitlist email: To notify you when PopScribe is available and send relevant updates
Website analytics: To understand how visitors find and use our site
Desktop app data: Audio is transcribed for your notes; text is sent to AI services solely to generate your study materials. We do not use any of your app data for advertising or profiling

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as follows:

GetWaitlist — Email address for waitlist management
AI service providers — Transcript text and images for note generation (via your BYOK keys)
Analytics providers — Aggregated, anonymized website usage data (Plausible + Clarity)
Speech-to-text providers — Audio streamed during active recording sessions
Cloudflare — Standard DNS and CDN traffic data
Legal requirements — If required by law, court order, or government request

We do not share your information with advertisers, data brokers, or unaffiliated third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Third-Party Services

5.1 GetWaitlist

Manages our waitlist. Receives your email address. Privacy: getwaitlist.com/privacy

5.2 Plausible Analytics

Cookie-free website analytics. No PII collected, no cookies. GDPR compliant by design. Privacy: plausible.io/privacy

5.3 Microsoft Clarity

Website heatmaps and session recordings. Configured not to record sensitive form fields. May use cookies. Opt out via Do Not Track signal or browser extension. Privacy: microsoft.com/privacy

5.4 Speech-to-Text (Deepgram)

Audio streamed over TLS 1.3 during active sessions. Zero audio retention — processed and discarded immediately. We opt out of all data-sharing programs. A future privacy mode will process audio entirely on your device.

5.5 AI Service Providers

Generate your notes, enrichments, chat responses, and flashcards. Retention: up to 30 days for safety monitoring, then automatically deleted. Never used for training — commercial API terms prohibit it. You choose your provider(s) via BYOK.

6. Your Local Data

Your data stays on your device. PopScribe does not have a backend cloud server. All session data is saved in a local directory on your computer.

Stored locally: lecture notes, transcripts, flashcards, app settings, API keys (in OS credential store), session metadata. We never receive any of this data.

You can delete your session files at any time using the app's built-in tools or by manually deleting the application data directory.

7. Cookies and Tracking

Plausible — Cookie-free. No consent banner required.

Microsoft Clarity — May use session and identification cookies. Configured to anonymize IP addresses and not capture sensitive form inputs.

No advertising cookies or tracking pixels.

The desktop app does not use cookies.

8. Do Not Track

We honor Do Not Track signals. When your browser sends a DNT signal, Microsoft Clarity will not record your session. Plausible collects no personal data regardless of DNT status.

9. Data Retention

Data Type	Where Stored	Retention
Email (waitlist)	GetWaitlist	Until you unsubscribe or request deletion
Website analytics	Plausible	Aggregated, no PII — up to 24 months
Session recordings	Microsoft Clarity	Up to 13 months
App notes & transcripts	Your device only	Until you delete them
API keys	Your OS credential store	Until you remove them
Audio (transcription)	Transcription provider	Zero — discarded after processing
Text to AI providers	AI provider	Up to 30 days, then deleted. Never for training.

10. Data Security

Website uses HTTPS/TLS. Email secured via SPF, DKIM, DMARC (Google Workspace). API keys stored in OS credential stores. Audio transmitted via TLS 1.3. Third-party providers maintain enterprise security certifications (SOC 2 Type II, DPA with SCCs).

No system is 100% secure. In the event of a breach affecting your personal data, we will notify you as required by applicable law.

11. Your Rights and Choices

Unsubscribe: Every email includes an unsubscribe link
Delete: Contact support@popscribe.ai to delete your waitlist data
Desktop app data: Stored locally — you have complete control to access, export, or delete

12. California Privacy Rights

CalOPPA Disclosures

PII collected: email address (via waitlist). Shared only with GetWaitlist for waitlist operation. We do not sell or transfer PII for marketing. Request review or deletion: support@popscribe.ai (45-day response).

CCPA/CPRA Rights

California residents have the right to: know what data we collect, request deletion, request correction, opt out of sale (we do not sell data), and non-discrimination for exercising rights. We do not collect sensitive personal information as defined by the CPRA.

To exercise your rights, email support@popscribe.ai with subject "California Privacy Request."

13. Children's Privacy

PopScribe is designed for college students and adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly. Contact support@popscribe.ai if you believe we may have.

14. Recording Consent

PopScribe is a tool for recording and transcribing lectures. The legal responsibility for complying with applicable recording laws rests with you, the user.

In California, recording a conversation requires the consent of all parties (CA Penal Code §632, CA Education Code §78907). Violating these laws can result in civil liability and criminal penalties. You must obtain instructor consent before recording.

PopScribe does not record or store audio on our servers. Audio is streamed to a third-party transcription service and immediately discarded.

15. Changes to This Policy

We will update the "Last Updated" date and post changes at popscribe.ai/privacy. For material changes, we will notify waitlist subscribers by email at least 30 days before changes take effect.

16. Contact Us

PopScribe AI LLC

Email: support@popscribe.ai
General: brian@popscribe.ai
Web: popscribe.ai

We will respond to privacy-related requests within 45 days.