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Legal Documentation

Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 2026 • Version 1.0

1. Executive Summary: Local-First Privacy

Untether ("the Software") is designed from the ground up on a local-first, zero-retention architecture. We believe your spoken thoughts, clinical notes, executive communications, and personal recordings belong exclusively to you.

Unlike legacy cloud dictation services, we do not operate intermediary proxy servers, we do not intercept or record your audio, and we never collect, monetize, or train machine learning models on your voice or transcripts.

The BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) Model

Untether operates using a Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) infrastructure. When you use cloud transcription (e.g. Groq Whisper), the audio stream travels directly from your local computer to the API provider over encrypted TLS connections using your personal API key. Untether developers have zero visibility into your network traffic, audio payload, or resulting transcripts.

2. How Audio & Transcription Data is Handled

  • Cloud Mode (Groq LPU Acceleration): Audio recorded via your hotkey is converted to high-quality audio segments in memory or temporary local cache on your PC, then sent directly to the Groq API endpoint over TLS encryption. Once transcribed, the local temporary buffer is cleared. Data processing is governed by your direct agreement and API settings with Groq Inc.
  • Local Mode (faster-whisper / CTranslate2): When running in local mode, audio processing and model inference occur 100% on your local machine's CPU or GPU. Absolutely zero network packets or audio data leave your device.

3. Personal Information & Telemetry

Untether does not include tracking pixels, behavioral telemetry libraries, advertising SDKs, or background analytics.

Your configuration settings (hotkeys, selected audio devices, custom system prompts, and API keys) are stored locally in your Windows user profile (under %APPDATA%\Untether or the application installation directory). This data remains strictly on your local disk and is never synced to external servers by Untether.

4. GDPR and International Compliance

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and similar privacy frameworks:

  • Untether does not act as a Data Processor or Data Controller for your transcribed voice data, as we never receive, process, or store such data.
  • You retain 100% custody, ownership, and control over all spoken audio and generated text.

5. Wiretapping & Recording Consent

Untether is intended for dictation and note-taking. Users are strictly responsible for complying with all applicable local, national, and international laws regarding audio recording and wiretapping, including obtaining all required one-party or two-party consents prior to activating the software in environments involving third parties.

6. Updates & Inquiries

If we make changes to this Privacy Policy, the revised version will be posted on this website with an updated date. For any questions regarding privacy or software integrity, contact the project maintainers at support@useuntether.com.