How Epilude handles your data

Overview

Epilude runs in one of two modes, and they handle your audio differently.

In Cloud mode (the default), your audio is sent to Epilude's cloud for transcription. The transcript is returned to your Mac and stored locally. If you have Cleanup set above None, the transcript also passes through a language model in the cloud for polishing before being inserted at your cursor. Your saved Vocabulary entries are part of that cleanup prompt, so in Cloud mode they are sent to the model with the transcript.

In Local Mode, transcription and Cleanup run entirely on your Mac using Epilude Model 4, the on-device model you download once. Your audio never leaves your Mac, and dictation works offline. On Macs with less than 16GB of memory, on-device Cleanup isn't available, so Local Mode transcribes and applies basic formatting on-device. Even then, nothing is sent to the cloud. See Local Mode to set it up.

For Epilude's full data-handling story, including the subprocessor list, encryption posture, retention, model-training stance, and data subject rights, see the Trust Center. The Privacy Policy is the canonical legal source.

Local storage

Epilude stores the following data on your Mac:

• Settings and preferences — Stored in macOS UserDefaults
• Transcripts — Stored locally on your file system
• Activity stats — Stored locally on your file system (see below)

You control deletion of all local data. Uninstalling Epilude and removing its preferences clears everything.

Activity stats

The Home page shows local activity stats: total words, time saved, average words per minute, a 12-month heatmap, and your top apps from the last 7 days. To power these, Epilude records:

• The bundle ID and display name of the app that was frontmost when you started dictating (for example com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap and "Slack"). This is the same identifier Epilude uses to paste text into that app.
• The duration of each dictation, from press to release.
• A daily word count, so the heatmap can show 12 months of activity even after older transcripts are trimmed.

What stays out of activity stats:

• The text content of the app you dictated into. Epilude only reads the app's identifier, never its windows or contents.
• Anything that leaves your Mac. Stats are stored on disk in your user folder, the same place as your transcripts, and are never sent to Epilude or anyone else.

To turn stats off, toggle Settings → General → Track local dictation stats. To wipe stats and transcripts together, use Clear dictation history on the same page.

Permissions explained

Epilude requests two macOS permissions, each for a specific reason:

Both permissions can be revoked at any time in System Settings → Privacy & Security.

Related

• Trust Center — Subprocessors, security controls, GDPR posture, and how to contact us about your data
• Privacy Policy — Canonical legal source
• Installation — Grant permissions during setup
• Cleanup — How AI polishing works